OneGeorgia Authority Overview Committee established; duties

(a) There is established the OneGeorgia Authority Overview Committee to be composed of one member of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one member of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate, the director of the Senate Budget and Evaluation Office or his or her designee, the director of the House Budget and Research Office or his or her designee, and two members of the General Assembly to be ap732 50-34-17 pointed by the Governor. The legislative members shall serve for terms as members of the committee concurrent with their terms of office as members of the General Assembly. The first members of the committee shall be appointed by not later than July 1, 2000. Thereafter, their successors shall be appointed during the first 30 days of each regular legislative session which is held immediately following the election of members of the General Assembly. (b) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one of the members appointed by the Speaker as chairperson of the committee. The President of the Senate shall designate one of the members appointed by the President of the Senate as vice chairperson of the committee. The members designated as chairperson and vice chairperson shall serve for terms as such officers concurrent with their terms as members of the committee. Other than the chairperson and vice chairperson provided for in this subsection, the committee shall provide for its own organization. (c) The committee shall periodically inquire into and review the operations, contracts, safety, financing, organization, and structure of the OneGeorgia Authority, as well as periodically review and evaluate the success with which said authority is accomplishing its legislatively created purposes. (d) The OneGeorgia Authority shall cooperate with the committee and its authorized personnel in order that the committee may efficiently and effectively carry out its duties. The OneGeorgia Authority shall submit to the committee such reports and data as the committee shall reasonably require of said authority in order that the committee may adequately inform itself of the activities of said authority. The committee shall, on or before the first day of January of each year and at such other times as it deems to be in the public interest, submit to the General Assembly a report of its findings and recommendations based upon the review of the operations of the OneGeorgia Authority. (e) The members of the committee shall receive the same expenses and allowances for their services on the committee as are authorized by law for members of interim legislative study committees. (f ) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to relieve the OneGeorgia Authority of the responsibilities imposed upon it under this chapter. History. — Code 1981, § 50-34-17, enacted by Ga. L. 2000, p. 582, § 1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 415, § 50; Ga. L. 2008, p. VO1, § 1-22/HB 529; Ga. L. 2014, p. 866, § 50/SB 340. Editor’s notes. — Ga. L. 2008, p. VO1/HB 529, which amended this Code section, was passed by the General Assembly as HB 529 at the 2007 regular session but vetoed by the Governor on 733 50-34-19 May 30, 2007. The General Assembly overrode that veto on January 28, 2008, and the Act became effective on that date. 50-34-18. Transfer of positions authorized by authority to Department of Community Affairs. Effective July 1, 2002, without diminishing the powers of the authority pursuant to Code Section 50-34-6, all personnel positions authorized by the authority in Fiscal Year 2002 shall be transferred to the Department of Community Affairs. All employees of the authority on June 30, 2002, whose positions are transferred by the authority to the Department of Community Affairs shall become employees of the Department of Community Affairs and shall become employees in the unclassified service as defined by Code Section 45-20-2. History. — Code 1981, § 50-34-18, enacted by Ga. L. 2002, p. 1059, § 5; Ga. L. 2009, p. 745, § 1/SB 97; Ga. L. 2012, p. 446, § 2-111/HB 642. Editor’s notes. — Ga. L. 2012, p. 446, § 3-1/HB 642, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: ‘‘Personnel, equipment, and facilities that were assigned to the State Personnel Administration as of June 30, 2012, shall be trans- ferred to the Department of Administrative Services on the effective date of this Act.’’ This Act became effective July 1, 2012. Ga. L. 2012, p. 446, § 3-2/HB 642, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: ‘‘Appropriations for functions which are transferred by this Act may be transferred as provided in Code Section 45-12-90.’’ 50-34-19. Border Region Retail Tourism Development Program; definition; procedure for implementation. (a) As used in this Code section, the term ‘‘border region’’ means any part of the state that lies within 25 miles of a state border. (b) Subject to appropriations, the authority shall establish and administer a grant program to be called the Border Region Retail Tourism Development Program, which shall serve the purpose of awarding grants to eligible applicants to induce businesses to, or assist businesses that intend to, relocate, expand, or construct projects in Georgia rather than a bordering state. (c) The amount of any grant awarded pursuant to this Code section shall be determined by the authority on a case-by-case review of applications consistent with criteria to be prescribed by the authority which shall include, but shall not be limited to, the: (1) Number and type of jobs retained or created; (2) Total private capital investment; (3) Impact on the state, regional, and community tax base; (4) Degree of local commitment; 734 50-34-19 (5) Consistency with local and regional development goals and objectives; (6) Project readiness and feasibility; (7) Geographic distribution of existing retail and tourism facilities; and (8) Reasonableness of cost estimates. (d) All applications for grants under this Code section shall include a recommendation from a state agency whose statutory powers and duties include community and economic development that the proposed project will significantly develop, promote, and retain trade, commerce, industry, and employment opportunities within the border region and promote the general welfare of the state. (e) After reviewing an application, the authority shall submit any pending grant award to the Governor and the commissioner of economic development for approval before such grant shall be awarded. (f ) The authority shall adopt such rules and regulations as are reasonable and necessary to implement and administer the grant program established under this Code section. History. — Code 1981, § 50-34-19, enacted by Ga. L. 2021, p. 562, § 2/SB 255. Effective date. — This Code section became effective July 1, 2021. Editor’s notes. — Ga. L. 2021, p. 562, § 1/SB 255, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: ‘‘The General Assembly finds that it is in the best interest of this state to: ‘‘(1) Increase tourism and competitiveness with bordering states by encouraging the development of retail and tourism projects in border regions; ‘‘(2) Support the efforts of businesses attempting to expand in or relocate to Georgia by dedicating resources to confront obstacles and barriers that impede economic growth in border regions; and ‘‘(3) Promote the economic security of the citizens of this state through the retention or development of employment opportunities.’’ 735 T.50, C.35 STATE GOVERNMENT 50-35-13 CHAPTER 35 GEORGIA ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION AUTHORITY Sec. 50-35-1 through 50-35-13 [Repealed]. 50-35-1 through 50-35-13. Reserved. Repealed by Ga. L. 2008, p. 1015/SB 344, § 12, effective May 14, 2008.