ATLANTA – State Representative Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) today announced the final General Assembly passage of House Resolution 560, legislation she sponsored that would create the House Study Committee on Local Government Utility Payment Options for Customers in Need of Assistance.
“Our local governments provide many necessities, like electricity, gas, water and phone service, but oftentimes customers are unable to pay their utility bills on time due to financial instability,” said Rep. Drenner. “This study committee would investigate ways to assist these individuals and explore options to ensure these customers in need are able to pay their bills in a timely manner.”
Under HR 560, the House Study Committee on Local Government Utility Payment Options for Customers in Need of Assistance would study the conditions, needs, issues and problems associated with utility bill payments for individuals in need of support and would recommend any action or legislation the committee deems necessary or appropriate. Additionally, in the event that the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson would file a report prior to Dec. 1, 2017, the date upon which the study committee would be abolished.
The study committee would consist of five members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, including a committee chairperson also appointed by the Speaker of the House responsible for calling all committee meetings. The committee would be permitted to conduct meetings at places and times deemed necessary or convenient to fully and effectively exercise its powers, perform its duties and accomplish its objectives and purposes.
For more information on HR 560, please click here.
Representative Karla Drenner represents the citizens of District 85, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2000, and currently serves on the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Health & Human Services, Natural Resources & Environment, Rules, and Small Business Development committees.
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