2026 Georgia Farm Bureau Legislative Round Up
Member Focused. Member Driven.
Georgia Farm Bureau is proud to serve as the Voice of Georgia Agriculture, led by the most extensive network of grassroots leaders spanning all corners of the state. The strength of our organization is our members—not only serving as leaders in their communities but shaping the policy positions your Public Policy team advocates for each year at the state capitol. Our priority centers on improving the farm economy and ensuring the sustainability of the family farm for future generations. This effort has evolved into the Strong Farms. Strong Georgia. campaign, promoting beneficial changes to state, federal, and regulatory policy.
The Governor, General Assembly, and Commissioner of Agriculture were once again steadfast in their support for our state’s number one industry, passing meaningful legislation for farmers and our rural communities. This 2026 Legislative Roundup highlights some of the achievements from this year’s legislative session. These successes would not be possible without the active engagement of GFB’s members and the strong partnerships with industry groups and elected officials. Thank you for your support, and we encourage your continued engagement this election year to grow the momentum behind Strong Farms. Strong Georgia.
- Alex Bradford, Director of Public Policy
Incentivizing Healthy Timber Markets
Due to the closure of multiple mills, timber markets have been strained and left landowners with timber investments worth very little. By expanding existing incentives to attract new forest product manufacturers to Georgia, HB 134 by Rep. Beth Camp incentivizes the creation of new markets and bolsters existing markets for our state’s timber. We would also like to thank Rep. Jesse Petrea for his work on this bill.
Strengthening the Farm Economy
Heading into the interim, Georgia Farm Bureau is eager to work alongside Rep. Robert Dickey and Sen. Russ Goodman, as they chair the Joint Study Committee on the Generational Sustainability of Family Farms. This committee will study the rising cost of farming, suppressed commodity markets, and hear from farmers on what the General Assembly can do to help. We encourage members to be on the lookout for more details about each meeting and make plans to attend.
Ensuring Farmer Engagement in Regional Water Planning Councils
During the fall of 2025, the State Water Council amended the statewide water plan to increase the efficiency of the regional water planning councils. HR 1008 by Rep. Lynn Smith ratifies the amendments to strengthen local communities’ ability to provide input and ensures a designated seat at the table for agriculture.
Exempting Federal Assistance from State Income Tax
The United States Department of Agriculture administered financial assistance to farmers through the Farmer Bridge Assistance and Specialty Crop program. HB 1159 by Rep. Matthew Gambill makes payments received exempt from state income tax, further extending this lifeline for producers.
Modernizing CUVA to Meet Landowners’ Needs
Conservation Use Value Assessment, CUVA, is crucial in preserving Georgia’s farmland. SB 306 by Sen. Randy Robertson clarifies that a landowner can trade carbon credits while enrolled in a covenant, allows for notification by email and certified mail of an expiring covenant, allows covenants to be merged on a singular timeline, and creates a 180-day grace period for the conversion of CUVA to FLPA at the time of acquisition.
Promoting Cotton Fabrics
Cotton has long been a staple crop in our state. HB 1310 by Rep. Jaclyn Ford designates cotton as the official state fabric, highlighting the importance of cotton production in Georgia and the need to support cotton farmers by choosing cotton fabrics.
Cutting Overburdensome Regulations
SB 551 by Sen. Sam Watson repeals the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s egg candling program. The existing program had become outdated and created barriers to non-commercial egg producers from participating in local markets.
Decreasing the Tax Burden on All Georgians
Tax policy was heavily debated this year with the state income tax, HB 463 by Rep. Shaw Blackmon, and the homestead property tax, SB 33 by Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, in the spotlight. The underlying objective of both bills is to keep more dollars in Georgians’ pockets. HB 463 will lower the state income tax rate to 4.99% for 2026; establish triggers to incrementally lower the tax to 3.99%; decouple the corporate and personal income tax rate; increase the standard deduction, retirement income exclusion, and dependent deduction; and repeal certain tax credits to pay for the forgone revenue. SB 33 caps the increase on valuation assessments for homestead properties at the rate of inflation and gives local governments the option, if agreed upon by a local referendum, to utilize a floating local option sales tax (FLOST) to offset all types of property tax or a homestead option sales tax (HOST) to offset only homestead property tax.
Investing in Agriculture
The General Assembly approved a budget of $38.5 billion for fiscal year 2027. We applaud the work of Rep. Steven Meeks and Sen. Sam Watson leading the subcommittees on agricultural appropriations. They secured multiple items to benefit farmers across the state supporting research, extension, and other services. Below is a review of key budget items relating to agriculture.
Department of Agriculture
• $450,000 to address emerging threats impacting the agricultural industry.
• $293,000 for the operation and maintenance of new Food Safety division inspection software.
• $2,104,888 funds for personnel to reflect increased retention of Consumer Protection positions.
Soil & Water Conservation Commission
• $166,386 for two plan reviewer positions and increase funds to evaluate and implement process to accept digital submissions of plans.
• $114,240 for retention of existing plan reviewers.
Department of Education
• $591,965 in one-time funds to complete storm damage repairs at FFA camps.
• $706,885 in one-time funds to address data reporting errors for extended year and extended day programs and move to improve reporting accuracy in future years.
Forestry Commission
• $2,136,739 for personnel to promote retention.
University System of Georgia
• $160,000 to support the peanut breeding program and the cotton breeding program at the University of Georgia.
• $450,000 for two College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences faculty members and one staff position to support sustainable bioeconomy through the University of Georgia’s Synthetic Biology Initiative.
• $2,000,000 to provide one-time state matching funds for two Eminent Scholar endowments.
State Bonds
• Provide $8,035,000 in 5-year bonds to purchase vocational and agriculture education equipment.
• Provide $3,000,000 in 5-year bonds to fund equipment for the Science and Ag Hill Modernization.
• Provide $34,500,000 in 5-year bonds to fund construction for the Science & Ag Hill Modernization.
• Provide $30,455,000 in 20-year bonds to construct the new regulatory laboratory at Atlanta Farmers Market.
• Provide $985,000 in 5-year bonds to fund renovations and equipment at Tifton Laboratory.
Opportunities to Engage
The Public Policy Department provides multiple ways for members to engage with elected officials throughout the year. The annual GFB Day at the Capitol boasts one of the highest attendances of any advocacy organizations with over 600 farmers coming together to promote our industry in the halls of the state capitol. Every week during the state legislative session we provide a legislative report to members signed up through our action center with timely updates on issues being debated and how to weigh in. Through our Digging In webinars, we offer virtual meetings with policy leaders, such as our House & Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee chairmen and Commissioner of Agriculture. During election years, we host the County Voices, Capitol Choices events across the state, giving candidates an opportunity to connect with members back home. To learn more about opportunities to engage and member resources, contact your local county Farm Bureau or the Public Policy Department for more information.