2016 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 47
BY SENATOR COLOMB
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To create the State Capitol Accessibility Advisory Commission to study and make
recommendations to the legislature for a strategic outlook to make sure the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, is sufficiently implemented with respect
to the state capitol building and surrounding infrastructure.
WHEREAS, the United States government enacted into law the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, which law is intended to protect the civil rights of citizens with
disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Title II of the Act provides specifically for the accessibility of public
entities, including state governments, and requires that "no individual shall be excluded from
participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public
entity"; and
WHEREAS, one of the most essential governmental activities in which all citizens
have the right to participate is the lawmaking process itself, such right being the sine qua non
of the theory and practice of democracy; and
WHEREAS, access to and effective communication with legislators is a prerequisite
of full participation by any citizen; and
WHEREAS, effective communication requires that the documents and the debate of
the legislative process be comprehensible to the citizen; and
WHEREAS, the state capitol building in Baton Rouge is the primary location of the
state government of Louisiana, and in order for a citizen of Louisiana to have access to the
lawmaking activities of the state, he must have access to the various areas within the
building where this process takes place and to the state capitol grounds; and
WHEREAS, since the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, safety
concerns and technology enhancements have altered the way the public can effectively
communicate with legislators and fully participate in the legislative process; and
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WHEREAS, the accessibility of any citizen to the state capitol is of particular
concern and requires a strategic outlook to make sure the Americans with Disabilities Act
of 1990 is sufficiently implemented.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
create the State Capitol Accessibility Advisory Commission to study and make
recommendations to the legislature for a strategic outlook to make sure the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 is sufficiently implemented with respect to the state capitol building
and surrounding infrastructure.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Capitol Accessibility Advisory
Commission shall consist of thirteen commissioners, who shall serve without compensation,
and who shall be composed of the following persons or their designees:
(1) The chair of the Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs or her
designee.
(2) The chairman of the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs or
his designee.
(3) The chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Homeland Security.
(4) The chairman of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security.
(5) One member of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate.
(6) One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the
House.
(7) One member consisting of a representative of the state fire marshal's ADA
Enforcement Personnel as designated by the state fire marshal.
(8) One member consisting of the chair of the Development Disabilities Council or
his designee.
(9) The chair of the Advocacy Center or his designee.
(10) The chair of the Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network or his
designee.
(11) The chair of the Statewide Independent Living Council or his designee.
(12) One member of the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf.
(13) One member of the Louisiana Council of the Blind.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the names of the persons who are designated or
appointed to serve on the commission shall be submitted to the chair of the Senate
Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs by August 1, 2016.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members shall convene no later than
September 1, 2016, and the responsibilities of the commission shall include but not be
limited to the development, in conjunction with any individuals and groups who are
responsible for implementation of the ADA, of a system that ensures the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 is sufficiently implemented at the state capitol.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission shall present a report to the
legislature concerning progress made in keeping with the mandatory language of the ADA
by March 1, 2017.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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