Legislative Report Week 11
Legislative Report Week 11
March 28, 2026
In this Issue:
- Week 11 Under the Gold Dome
- Joint Study Committee on the Generational Sustainability of Family Farms
- Senate Passes FY27 Budget
- Timber Tax Credit Moves Closer to the Finish Line
- Lay of the Land
- Apply Now - Hurricane Helene Block Grants
- Action this Week
- Bill Tracker
This week, the General Assembly convened for three legislative days and two committee work days, concluding the week on Friday, March 27th, legislative day 38. There were many long days this week as the General Assembly works to move more bills ahead of the final week.
Throughout the week, we were excited to celebrate National Ag Week at the Capitol and all across the country. On Monday, Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper and the Georgia Grown team brought an antique tractor display to the Capitol to promote Georgia farmers and Georgia Grown products. The week concluded with a celebration of agriculture on the White House lawn with President Trump and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.
Next week, the General Assembly will conclude the 2026 legislative session adjourning Sine Die on Thursday, April 2nd. They will meet for two legislative days beginning Tuesday, March 31st.
Joint Study Committee on the Generational Sustainability of Family Farms
On Monday, the Senate passed HR 1416 by Representative Robert Dickey (R-Musella). This resolution establishes the Joint Study Committee on the Generational Sustainability of Family Farms, an effort being championed by Representative Dickey and Senator Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell). As farmers themselves, the two understand the challenges farmers face daily right now with an unstable farm economy. They hope to travel the state hearing from producers and exploring solutions from farmers across the state. A strong farm economy is vital for the success of rural communities, farm families, and ultimately the state of Georgia.
We applaud Representative Dickey and Senator Goodman for their leadership on this issue and look forward to working with them on this important committee.
On Friday, Senator Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia) presented HB 974 by Speaker Jon Burns, the fiscal year 2027 budget. On the floor, Senator Tillery presented the Senate amendments to the Governor's recommendations. The House disagreed to the amendments, so the budget now heads to conference committee for the two chambers to come to an agreement before it heads to Governor Kemp for his approval. This is a common procedural move that gives both chambers a chance to agree on compromised priorities.
Below are the differences from the House and Senate edits. Upon approval of both chambers, we will provide a comprehensive overview.
Department of Agriculture
- $80,000 - Increase funds for the emerging pepper weevil threat.
- ($150,000) - Transfer funds from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Natural Resources to consolidate the Feral Hog Task Force.
- $1,600,000 - Provide funds for agricultural projects.
Soil & Water Conservation Commission
- $146,386 - Provide funds for three plan reviewer positions.
- $114,240 - Provide funds for retention of existing plan reviewers.
- $200,000 - Provide funds to initiate a feral hog eradication incentive program.
Georgia Environmental Finance Authority
- $2,000,000 - Increase funds for one-time funding for the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District for matching funds for a study related to the levels and causes of Geosmin, Methylisoborneol (MIB), and algae/bacteria in Lake Lanier.
Georgia Department of Economic Development
- $100,000 - Increase funds to support economic development on navigable rivers
Department of Education, Agricultural Education
- $0 - Eliminated House proposed funds for annual major repairs and rehabilitation at youth camps.
- $0 - Eliminated House proposed funds for support staff to prioritize private funds for direct student services.
- $706,885 - Increase funds to fully fund extended year and extended day programs.
- $45,000 - Increase funds for a Young Farmer position.
State Forestry Commission
- $0 - Eliminated House proposed funds to promote forestry.
Department of Human Services
- $0 - Eliminated House proposed funds for a SNAP payment accuracy innovation effort to reduce the SNAP payment error rate.
Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division
- $142,385 - Provide funds for contractual services, positions, and a vehicle due to an increase in applications for the Georgia Conservation Tax Credit Program.
- $1,000,000 - Increase funds for a public-private feral hog management pilot program.
- $150,000 - Transfer funds from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Natural Resources to consolidate the Feral Hog Task Force
USG Board of Regents
- $0 - Eliminated House proposed funds for one associate director position at the Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture to lead extension outreach efforts.
- ($80,000) - Reduced House proposed funds to support the peanut breeding program and the cotton breeding program at the University of Georgia.
Timber Tax Credit Moves Closer to the Finish Line
This week, HB 1085 by Representative Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah) moved closer to the finish line with the House amending the Senate's version of the bill and passing it back for their approval. This bill qualifies forest products manufacturers for transferable Jobs and Investments tax credits to incentivize new investment in Georgia, stabilizing markets after significant demand was lost at the end of 2025 due to the closure of large mills.
Georgia Farm Bureau is working alongside our friends at the Georgia Forestry Association and other groups to promote this legislation in hopes of bringing relief to landowners and timber producers.
The bill now waits for the Senate to consider the House amendment. If the Senate agrees, it will move to the Governor's desk; or the Senate can insist on their version of the bill, sending it to a conference committee.
Across Georgia and Alabama, growth, policy, and market demand are reshaping how land is used and what it's worth. The challenge, and the opportunity, is positioning for what comes next.
Our friends at Saunders Land are holding their Lay of the Land® Conference on April 23rd in Columbus. Georgia Farm Bureau's State Affairs Manager, Adam Belflower, will join legislators, economists, and developers to provide the data and context you need to make informed decisions in changing markets. This is a great opportunity for farmers to learn more about land and asset management to better understand trends in real estate markets in the state.
Apply Now - Hurricane Helene Block Grants
Starting Monday, March 16th, the Georgia Department of Agriculture began accepting applications for the Hurricane Helene Block Grant program. We encourage everyone in the affected area to file their applications as soon as possible. Applicants will have six weeks to apply, from March 16th to April 27th.
We applaud the Georgia Department of Agriculture for its continued collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture to secure a strong block grant program that maximizes available funds and ensures we do not send a dollar back to Washington, DC. To view the full press release, click here, and to find all the information about the block grant program, visit farmrecovery.com.
Reps. Cannon, Dickey, Corbett, Meeks, Huddleston, and others
This bill adds language in CUVA that allows for a 180-day grace period when transferring CUVA land to FLPA or vice versa, it allows for the use of carbon credits for timber in CUVA covenants, and lastly, it allows landowners to join existing contiguous covenants and roll them into a single new covenant.
Passed Senate Finance Committee (03/23/26)
Reps. Bennett, Powell, Corbett, Hugley, Jones, and others
This bill creates a tax credit for the production of energy from woody biomass. The credit equals $500,000 per megawatt of energy produced. Eligible projects must be at least 50 megawatts, and the program has a $200 million cap.
Passed Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee by substitute (03/27/26)
Reps. Petrea, Burns, Cannon, Burchett, Buckner, and others
This bill would allow the transfer of existing job and investment tax credits to new forestry manufacturers investing in Georgia over the next 5 years. The tax credit structure is set at 15% for Tier 1 counties, 10% for Tier 2 counties, and 3% for Tier 3 and Tier 4 counties. A total of $250 million in credits can be earned across all tiers. Tier 3 & 4 counties can only access $100 million per year. The bill will incentivize forestry manufacturers to locate themselves in areas where the timber market is struggling most. The bill defines "forestry manufacturer" as any company that uses wood in the manufacturing process.
House Agreed to the Senate Substitute as Amended (03/27/2026)
Reps. Blackmon, Burns, Efstration, Hatchett, Cannon, and others
This is the large homestead property tax bill focused on providing homestead property tax relief through multiple new local-option sales taxes. Due to constant changes and the nature of the bill, a comprehensive description will be available once the bill is finalized.
Passed Senate Finance Committee by substitute (03/25/26)
Reps. Rhodes, Leverett, Ridley, Williams, and Corbett
This bill would prohibit the storage of any soil amendment derived from industrial by-products within 100 feet of any property line and the loading or unloading of any such amendment within a public road.
House Agreed to the Senate Substitute as Amended (03/25/26)
Reps. Ridley, Rhodes, and Meeks
This bill would allow engines on the Ogeechee River, except for jet-skis, from the point where it crosses State Highway No. 119 to its point of origin.
Passed Senate (03/25/26)
Reps. Ford, Dickey, Meeks, O'Steen, Williams, and others
This bill would designate cotton as the official state fabric.
Passed Senate Economic Development & Tourism Committee (03/23/26)
Reps. Dickey, Meeks, O'Steen, Ford, Corbett, and others
This resolution establishes the Joint House and Senate Study Committee on Generational Sustainability of Family Farms to study farm profitability.
Adopted by the Senate (03/23/26)
Reps. Kelley, Cheokas, and Anderson
This resolution would create the House Study Committee on the Assessment and Collection of Fees by Local Governments to study the root cause of the increase in litigation against local governments due to assessment practices.
Assigned to House Special Rules Committee (03/25/26)
Reps Cannon, Corbett, Ford, Dickey, Howard, and others
This resolution expresses the support of the House of Representatives for termed and perpetual conservation easements.
Assigned to House Special Rules (03/27/26)
Sen. Robertson
The bill clarifies landowners can trade carbon credits on land enrolled in CUVA, revises the notification requirements at the end of the covenant to allow landowners the option to receive an email or certified mail notice of expiration, allows landowners to merge contiguous covenants under one timeline, and allows a 180-day grace period for the conversion between a CUVA to FLPA covenant at the time of acquisition. This bill was amended to add language related to clarifying how tax credits are awarded for low-income housing developments.
Passed House by substitute (03/25/26)
Sens. Hufstetler, Albers, Walker III, Anavitarte, Hatchett, and others
This bill aims to shift the property tax burden through several measures. The bill revises the local sales tax limit to allow up to 5% (excluding the Municipal Option Sales Tax [MOST]) and authorizes a new Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST), which must be approved by adoption of a resolution. It also gradually increases the homestead exemption annually until it reaches 50% in 2031. Local governments would be prohibited from increasing property tax revenue over the previous year or by more than 3% or the rate of inflation. Finally, the bill requires a nonbinding referendum on the effectiveness of these measures and directs all profits from data center sales taxes toward property tax relief.
Passed House Ways & Means Committee by substitute (03/26/26)
Sens. Dickerson, Albers, Walker III, Burns, Hatchett, and others
This bill would require that Commercial Driver's Licenses issued to noncitizen residents be revoked upon the expiry of that person's visa or after five years, whichever occurs first. This bill also authorizes a skills test before any license issued to a noncitizen driver in another state may be transferred to Georgia. This bill was amended to remove vehicle-condition requirements related to federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Passed House by substitute (03/27/26)
Sens. Watson, Anavitarte, Walker III, Anderson, Goodman, and others
This bill extends the sunset provision to the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund and allows the state to dedicate 60% of the sales tax collected on sporting goods, rather than 40%.
Passed House by substitute (03/27/26)
Sens. Williams and Robertson
This bill was amended beyond its original purpose to include language that would give local sheriffs the option to donate impounded livestock to a nonprofit or other organization deemed competent by the sheriff, rather than only having the option to sell the animal.
Passed House Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee by substitute (03/26/26)
Sens. Burns, Hickman, Hufstetler, Orrock, Howard, and others
This resolution creates the Senate Study Committee on Higher Education Funding to evaluate the effectiveness of the funding formulas for the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia.
Assigned to Senate Appropriations Committee (03/25/26)
Sen. Strickland
This resolution commends Rachel Kinsaul for being named the 2026 Georgia Teacher of the Year and for being named a finalist for the 2026 National Teacher of the Year award.
Adopted by the Senate (03/23/26)
Sen. Hatchett, Walker III, Anavitarte, Robertson, Brass, and others
This resolution honors the 25th anniversary of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule and commends the United States Forest Service for its management of Georgia's roadless areas.
Adopted by the Senate (03/27/26)
Sen. McNeel
This resolution honors the Mary Persons High School FFA forestry team for placing first in the 2025 National FFA Forestry Career Development Event.
Adopted by the Senate (03/27/26)
To stay updated on all the bills GFB is tracking, check out our updated bill tracker under the Action Center on the Georgia Farm Bureau website. There you will be able to find all the bills that we are following, a summary of the bill, the bill sponsors, and the most recent action.
Thank you for taking an active role in staying up-to-date and informed on the developments at our State Capitol. If you have additional questions, feel free to reach out to any of our Public Policy Department Staff and we will be happy to assist you.
Alex Bradford, Director
Adam Belflower, State Affairs Manager
Raynor Churchwell, Agricultural Programs Manager
ElizaJane Glover, Agricultural Programs Specialist
Renee Jones, Operations Coordinator
Amelia Junod, Advocacy and Policy Development Specialist
Chase McClure, Governmental Affairs Specialist
Ben Parker, National Affairs Coordinator