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Legislative Report Week 3

Legislative Report Title

Legislative Report Titles

 

Legislative Report Week 3

January 30, 2026

In this Issue: 

 

Week 3 Under the Gold Dome

Week 3 got off to a delayed start after Winter Storm Fern brought freezing temperatures and icy conditions to a large part of North Georgia. Even though no business was conducted, Monday, January 26th, began the week with legislative day 6 and the week concluded on Thursday, January 29th, with legislative day 9.

On Wednesday, January 28th, Georgia Farm Bureau had the opportunity to co-sponsor lunch for the Rural Caucus. Rural Caucus meets every Wednesday at the Georgia Department of Agriculture and is comprised of House and Senate members that represent rural districts. It is always our pleasure to spend time with these members and connect on issues important to our rural communities and farm families.

Next week the General Assembly will reconvene on Monday, February 2nd for legislative days 10-14. To see the full adjournment resolution, HR 998, click here.

 

Image of Ag Com

Agriculture Committees Hold First Meetings

On Wednesday, January 28th, the Senate and House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee both met for the first time of the year and introduced a newly appointed members to the Committees, Representative Tangie Herring (D-Macon) and Senator Jaha Howard (D-Smyrna). Representative Herring grew up on a farm in Elbert County but draws on her 28-year education career as she represents Bibb and Monroe counties. She has been a supporter of farm families, and we are excited to work with her as a member of the Committee. Senator Howard just got elected during a special election to fill a vacated seat by Senator Jason Esteves representing Cobb and Fulton counties.

Georgia Tech's Manager of Agricultural Technology Research Program, Dr. Doug Britton testified to both committees providing an exciting presentation on the various research and advanced technologies developed for forest products, poultry, peanut sampling, and food manufacturing. In recent years, Georgia Tech has emerged as a leading partner finding solutions to some of the complex problems facing agriculture post processing facilities.

Tyler Harper, Commissioner of Agriculture, also updated both Committees on the Department's work over the off-session, recent cases of avian influenza, and the state of the farm economy. During the House committee, Commissioner Harper was questioned on his concerns for the industry and farmers in our state. He expressed his deep concern for farmers and the challenges they face every day. He reinforced his commitment to seeking solutions for the growing trade deficit, labor shortages, soaring input prices, corporate consolidation, and much more.

We applaud Commissioner Harper for his advocacy for Georgia farmers and express our appreciation for his partnership in seeking real change for challenging farm economy producers are facing. Click the picture above to watch the full response Commissioner Harper gave to the question.

Photo Credit House Media Services

State Water Plan Changes Pass House

On January 29th, HR 1008 by Representative Lynn Smith (R-Newnan) was presented on the House floor. This resolution would ratify the State Water Plan to enact the changes recommended by the State Water Council regarding the composition of the regional water councils in December 2025. In summary, the changes will reduce the number of council members, increase the term lengths, and codify a representative of agriculture to serve on the councils.

The resolution passed the House with unanimous approval. We applaud the General Assembly's work in supporting the regional water councils and making them more efficient and effective. Localized water planning is vital to make sure communities have input into how resources are managed in their community.

If you are interested in serving on a regional water council, respond to this email! To read a detailed summary of the changes, click here.

 

2026 Georgia Farmer of the Year Announced

This year's Farmer of the Year is Pete Gelber, a dairy farmer from Macon County. Pete alongside his wife Dr. Elisabeth Reid, his son Richard, and business partner Andre Coen co-own and operate Berrington Dairy. Berrington Dairy milks a herd of 15,000 Holstein cows three times a day. Pete is well known throughout the dairy industry for his commitment to sustainability, exceptional milk production, and high-quality standards. As Georgia's Farmer of the Year, Pete plans to use this platform to promote and advocate for Georgia's dairy sector. He will go on to represent the state as Georgia's nominee for Southeast Farmer of the Year at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in October. We wish him the best of luck, as he represents Georgia farmers and the dairy industry.

 

Deadline to Apply for GFB Agricultural Technology Committee

The Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors announced the formation of a new committee to help advise policy and staff on issues related to innovative tools and technology in agriculture. The GFB Agricultural Technology Committee will be accepting nominations through January 31st. If you are a member of GFB or know a member who would be interested in serving, please use the link here to fill out the nomination application.

 

GFB Day at the Capitol

Georgia Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol is just a few weeks away! We hope to see you on February 10th to join alongside over 650 farmers advocating for the betterment of farm families and rural communities.

The day will begin at 9:30am in the Blue Room at the Georgia Freight Depot, just down the hill from the Capitol. Due to limited onsite parking, complimentary parking will be available at the Georgia State University Blue Lot, 76 Fulton St SW, with shuttles to the event.

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Action this Week

HB 946

Reps. Clifton, Rhodes, Ridley, Kelley, Cannon, and others 

This bill would language related to the wildlife control permit allowing feral hogs to be trapped without any licensing requirements. It would also allow for feral hogs to be located from unmanned aircraft systems, provided all rules for such are followed, and hunted from motor vehicles on private land. 

Passed House Game, Fish, & Parks Committee (01/29/26)

 

HB 983

Reps. Hagan, Cannon, Meeks, and Burchett

This agency legislation would exempt certain prescribed burns for silvicultural purposes from permit and notice requirements. 

Assigned to House Natural Resources & Environment Committee (01/27/2026)

 

HB 1000

Reps. Gambill, Wade, Seabuagh, Hong, Blackmon, and others

This bill would provide a one-time tax credit of $250 for a single filer, $375 for a head of household, or $500 for a married couple who filed income tax returns for 2024 or 2025.

Assigned to House Ways & Means Committee (01/28/2026)

 

HB 1001

Reps. Wade, Gambill, Seabaugh, Hong, Blackmon, and others

This bill clarifies the language regarding the annual state income tax rate reduction by removing extraneous language and stating that the state income tax rate will be reduced from 5.19% to 4.99% for taxable years beginning in 2026.

Assigned to House Ways & Means Committee (01/28/2026)

 

HB 1014

Reps. Bell, Ridley, Barnes, Hagan, and Sharper

This bill would prohibit any public, private, or secondary school from selling, using, or distributing any food or beverage that contains a "synthetic food dye" as part of that school's regular meal program.

Assigned to House Education Committee (01/28/2025)

 

HB 1072

Reps. Townsend, Stephens, Smith, Buckner, Franklin, and others

This bill would authorize the director of the Environmental Protection Division to consider out-of-state regulatory history, including violations or criminal convictions, when processing applications for certain permits.

House Hopper (01/28/2026)

 

HR 1008

Reps. Smith, Dickey, Corbett, Townsend, and Smith

This resolution approves the amendments to the statewide water plan adopted by the State Water Council at the end of 2025. It will reduce the number of members on each regional water council and require designees from certain industries, including agriculture. 

Passed House (01/28/2026)


HR 1081

Reps. Dickey, Howard, Campbell, Huddleston, Corbett, and others

This resolution designated Tuesday, February 11th, as Georgia Farm Bureau Federation Day at the Capitol.

House Adopted (01/27/26)

 

SB 415

Sens. Dickerson, Goodman, Echols, Watson, Anderson, and others

This bill prohibits the production, sale, trade, distribution, or offer to produce, sell, trade, or distribute for human consumption any lab-grown meat.

Assigned to Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee (01/27/2026)

 

SB 435

Sens. Goodman, Watson, Anderson, Sims, Summers, and others

This bill would rename the Georgia Development Authority to the Georgia Agricultural Development Authority.

Senate Hopper (01/28/2026)

 

SR 584

Sens. Echols, Hatchett, Still, Goodman, and Anderson

This resolution approves the amendments to the statewide water plan adopted by the State Water Council at the end of 2025. It will reduce the number of members on each regional water council and require designees from certain industries, including agriculture. 

Assigned to Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee (01/27/2026)

 

SR 630

Sens. Goodman, Watson, Gooch, Sims, Summers, and others

This resolution designates Tuesday, February 11th, as Georgia Farm Bureau Federation Day at the Capitol.

Senate Hopper (01/28/2026)

 

Bill Tracker

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. Click the button below to be redirected to our bill tracker.

Bill Tracker

 

Save the Date

 

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