ATLANTA (January 16, 2019) | Today, Sen. Brandon Beach (R – Alpharetta) introduced legislation which would create the Joint Senate and House Georgia Commission on Freight and Logistics. The scope of the Commission would be to study the current state of the freight and logistics industries in Georgia and recommend actions or legislation to improve efficiency, safety and quality.
“Georgia is fortunate to have an extended infrastructure network composed of deep water ports, extensive rail systems and highways, and the busiest airport in the world,” said Sen. Beach. “As one of Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan’s key priorities, I am committed to working with our logistics and freight industries in making it as efficient as possible to move goods from Point A to Point B throughout our state. We also want to increase safety along our roads and highways by limiting our use of large eighteen-wheeler trucks and instead relying more heavily on rail to transport freight. The Georgia Commission on Freight and Logistics would examine these issues, among others, and recommend legislation that will bring out the full potential of Georgia’s logistics industry. I look forward to working with the Lt. Governor, Chairman Tanner, my colleagues in the General Assembly and all relevant stakeholders during the legislative session to make this Commission a reality.”
“Georgia’s economic prosperity has led to huge business population growth,” said Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan. “However, in some areas that growth has led to highway congestion. The Georgia Commission on Freight and Logistics will be charged with studying how we can harness the logistics industry to provide transportation solutions to Georgia’s businesses and citizens. Transportation efficiency is critical to Georgia’s economic future and I’m excited about Sen. Beach’s leadership on this priority issue.”
As proposed, the Commission would be composed of three members of the Senate appointed by the Lt. Governor, three members of the Georgia House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, two members each appointed by the Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House who represent entities that provide freight and logistics services or expertise in the operations of a major airport hub, four residents of Georgia, the Commissioner of Transportation, and the Executive Director of the Georgia Ports Authority. The directors of all metro planning organizations will serve as ex-officios. The chairpersons of the Senate and House Transportation Committees will serve as co-chairpersons of the Commission.
Senate Resolution 19 will be first read and referred to a committee tomorrow, January 17.
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For Immediate Release:
Jan. 16, 2019
Andrew Allison, Broadcast Specialist
andrew.allison@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028