25 LC 112 2809
House Resolution 131
By: Representatives Park of the 107
th
, Jackson of the 128
th
, Griffin of the 149
th
, Clark of the
108
th
, Herring of the 145
th
, and others
A RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the creation of a National Infrastructure Bank; and for other purposes.
1
WHEREAS, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) stated in its 2021 report card2
that the United States received a grade of C- regarding the current state of infrastructure and3
that more than six trillion dollars would be needed to restore the nation's infrastructure to a4
state of good repair. Over three trillion dollars is currently not funded, and the remainder is5
inadequately funded. New 21st Century projects are unfunded; and6
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia received a C+ grade from the ASCE in 2024. Transit was7
graded D, Roads C+, Storm water C-, Wastewater C-, Dams D+, Aviation C+, Drinking8
water C+, and Solid Waste C+; and9
WHEREAS, half of all Georgians do not have access to public sewer service, and wastewater10
needs total $2.7 billion; Atlanta ranks No. 8 nationally in traffic congestion (average cost per11
driver is $1,510 per year); and12
WHEREAS, more than 654,000 renters pay more than 30 percent of their income toward13
rent, and there is a shortage of at least 214,000 new units of affordable rental homes in the14
state for the most housing insecure; and15
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WHEREAS, there are at least 86,000 lead service lines in Georgia, 31,000 of which are in
16
Atlanta, requiring $1 billion to replace; and17
WHEREAS, Congress introduced HR 4052, The National Infrastructure Bank Act, to create18
a new National Infrastructure Bank (NIB). It will be capitalized by existing Treasury debt19
and require no new federal appropriations or federal taxes. It will invest five trillion dollars20
into infrastructure only and create 25 million new high-wage jobs; and21
WHEREAS, the NIB is modeled on previous banks that helped build much of our22
infrastructure under Presidents George Washington, James Madison, Abraham Lincoln, and23
Franklin D. Roosevelt. The last such bank helped bring us out of the Depression and win24
World War II; and25
WHEREAS, the NIB will address all the infrastructure needs of the State of Georgia not26
covered by existing state or federal funding. It will repair all hard infrastructure, including27
roads, bridges, schools, all needed affordable housing units, sewers, lead service lines,28
drinking water, and much more. It will build new projects, including expanded passenger and29
high-speed rail service; and30
WHEREAS, the NIB will pay prevailing wages and enforce a Buy America policy. It will31
massively expand small and medium-sized businesses in the state and ensure significant32
participation of Disadvantaged Minority Enterprises. The NIB will invest in rural and urban33
communities. Economists estimate the bank will grow the economy by 5 percent per year,34
as did its predecessors; and35
WHEREAS, many organizations have issued statements of support. Twenty-nine state36
legislatures filed or passed resolutions, as have county and city councils. Endorsements37
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include: The National Black Caucus of State Legislators; The National Hispanic Caucus of
38
State Legislators; The National Asian-Pacific American Caucus of State Legislators; The39
Georgia State Council of Machinists; IUEC-Elevator Constructors Local 32, Atlanta; the40
Central Georgia Central Labor Council; NADO; the United Association of Plumbers and41
Steamfitters; the National Latino Farmers and Ranchers; The National Association of42
Minority Contractors; The United States High Speed Rail Association; and many more.43
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that44
the members of this body support HR 4052 or any equivalent congressional legislation made45
to create a National Infrastructure Bank to finance urgently needed infrastructure projects.46
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized47
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the48
Georgia delegation to Congress, the Governor, and to the President of the United States.49
H. R. 131
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