Legislative Report Week 8

Legislative Report Week 8

March 7, 2026

In this Issue: 

• Week 8 Under the Gold Dome
• Multiple Bills Addressing Timber Market Relief 
• CUVA Bills Move Through Both Chambers
• Hurricane Helene Block Grant Announcement
• Joint Study Committee on Generational Sustainability of Family Farms
• Farm Bridge Payments to be Income Tax Exempt
• Speaker's Property Tax Proposal Moves Through House
• County Presidents Advocate in Washington DC
• Fields of Opportunity: Exploring Careers in Agriculture
• Action this Week
• Bill Tracker
• Save the Date

Week 8 Under the Gold Dome

This week, the General Assembly convened for legislative day 26-28 beginning the week with a committee workday on Monday, March 2nd, and concluding the week on Friday, March 6th, Crossover Day. Crossover Day is the point upon which every bill must pass from its chamber of origin to the other chamber in order to remain eligible for final passage. It was a long day, with the House taking up bills on the floor until 1:00am Saturday morning, but Georgia Farm Bureau was excited to see multiple important bills crossover.

It was great to see friendly faces from the agriculture industry at the Capitol this week. On Tuesday, the Georgia Peanut Commission hosted their annual PB&J Day at the Capitol, and on Thursday the Georgia Young Farmers Association traveled to the Capitol for their annual legislative visit. Both days were great opportunities to have farmers from across the state advocate on the importance of our industry and the benefits agriculture contributes to all corners of Georgia.

Next week, the General Assembly will reconvene for 3 legislativedays and 1 committee workday. To view the full adjournment resolution, HR 998, click here.

Multiple Bills Addressing Timber Market Relief 

On Friday morning, the House Ways and Means Committee considered HB 276 by Representative James Burchett (R-Waycross). Representative Burchett presented a committee substitute to the bill that would create a tax credit for the construction of biomass energy facilities that use woody biomass and encourages data centers to use biomass energy to provide part of their energy needs. This bill passed committee but failed to be called up for a vote before the Crossover deadline.

Later Friday afternoon, HR 1000 by Representative Chuck Efstration (R-Mulberry) was considered on the House floor. This constitutional amendment would remove the severance tax on timber enrolled in a preferential treatment covenant for conservation (CUVA or FLPA) if after the timber was cut the property remained in a qualifying use. This resolution passed the House floor with resounding support.

CUVA Bills Move Through Both Chambers

On Wednesday, the Senate considered SB 306 by Senator Randy Robertson (R-Cataula) on the floor. This bill updates the way counties notify a landowner of an expiring conservation use, CUVA, covenant and renews the covenant for one year if a landowner does not receive notification of an expiring covenant. The bill passed the full chamber with unanimous consent and will now move to be considered by the House Ways and Means Committee.

On Friday, the House also considered HB 547 by Representative Chas Cannon (R-Moultrie) on the floor which clarifies a few provisions relating to the CUVA statute. First, it ensures a landowner may participate in a carbon sequestration program while enrolled in a covenant. Second, it allows a landowner to merge contiguous covenants under one timeline as long as all parts of the property remain in a qualifying use. Finally, it would allow for a 180-day grace period after land is purchased for the conversion of a CUVA covenant to a FLPA, Forest Land Protection Act, covenant in the instance a landowner who does not qualify for CUVA wants to enroll property in a FLPA covenant. All three of these provisions are aimed at keeping more land protected from development and rising property taxes. This bill passed the House floor with resounding support.

Hurricane Helene Block Grant Announcement

On Monday, Commissioner Tyler Harper announced before the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee the timeline for the Hurricane Helene Block Grant Applications. Over the next two weeks, the Georgia Department of Agriculture will assist applicants in preparing documentation and notifying all affected individuals about the program. We encourage everyone in the affected area to prepare their applications ahead of the applications opening. Applicants will have six weeks to apply beginning on March 16th and ending on April 27th.

We applaud the work of our friends at the Georgia Department of Agriculture for the continued work with the United States Department of Agriculture securing a strong block grant program that maximizes the 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.

Joint Study Committee on Generational Sustainability of Family Farms

This week, the Senate considered SR 800 by Senator Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell) on the floor and the House considered HR 1416 by Representative Robert Dickey (R-Musella) on the floor. These resolutions are companion bills creating the Joint Study Committee on the Generational Sustainability of Family Farms. We believe this committee comes at an important time when many farms across Georgia find themselves grappling with unprecedented challenges. Rising input cost and low commodity prices continue to suppress the farm economy and put many farmers out of business. This committee will seek solutions to the challenges farmers face that jeopardize their ability to pass the farm to the next generation.

Both resolutions passed their respective chambers with strong support and now move on to be considered in committee on the other side.

Farm Bridge Payments to be Income Tax Exempt

On Wednesday, HB 1159 by Representative Matthew Gambill (R-Cartersville) was considered on the House floor. Representative Gambill is carrying this bill on behalf of Governor Kemp, and it will make payments received under the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program exempt from state income tax. We applaud the efforts of both Representative Gambill and the Governor on helping keep as many dollars as possible from assistance programs in the pockets of farmers. This bill is consistent with what Governor Kemp has done in the aftermath of previous disasters.

The bill passed with strong bipartisan support on the floor and now moves to be considered by the Senate Finance Committee.

Speaker's Property Tax Proposal Moves Through House

Tax relief has been an outspoken priority for leadership in both the House and Senate this year. Speaker Jon Burns rolled out a homestead property tax relief package, HB 1116 and HR 1114, carried by Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) early in the year. The measure has been heavily debated through the committee process and made its way to the floor for the first time this week.

On Tuesday HR 1114, the constitutional amendment that would make way for much of the reform failed on the House floor. The entire Republican Caucus voted in favor of the resolution, but only one Democrat voted in support leaving the measure short of the 2/3 approval it needed to advance.

On Friday, HB 1116 was presented on the House floor. The bill has had multiple iterations through the process already. After the constitutional amendment failed, HB 1116 had to be changed again to only address provisions not requiring changes to the constitution. Finally, in the late hours of the night, HB 1116 passed the House floor on slim margins.

After the General Assembly approves a final tax relief package, GFB will provide a comprehensive summary. Currently, these bills continue to change constantly as they work through the legislativeprocess.

County Presidents Advocate in Washington DC

County Farm Bureau presidents representing districts across Georgia traveled to Washington, D.C., this week as lawmakers engaged in key policy discussions affecting the future of American agriculture. While in the nation's capital, the group received policy updates from staff at the American Farm Bureau Federation before meeting with members of Georgia's congressional delegation to advocate for priorities that strengthen the financial resilience of family farms.

During their meetings, the presidents shared firsthand perspectives on the current state of the farm economy, outlining the challenges farmers are facing while highlighting opportunities for legislative action. These visits provide a vital opportunity for face-to-face communication and allow Farm Bureau leaders to build personal relationships with lawmakers who develop, influence, and direct national farm policy.

Attendees also had the opportunity to observe the two-day Farm Bill markup held by the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture. On Thursday, the committee advanced the legislation with a bipartisan 34-17 vote. This action not only moves forward the much-needed modernization of farm programs but also demonstrates that the long-standing Farm Bill coalition remains committed to ensuring agriculture remains America First.

We thank our members who took time away from their farms and communities to travel to Washington and engage with elected officials. Their advocacy on behalf of Georgia's farmers reflects the strength of Farm Bureau's grassroots structure and helps ensure the voices of producers are heard in the policymaking process.

Fields of Opportunity: Exploring Careers in Agriculture

Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) are partnering to host a virtual educational event to highlight emerging trends and career opportunities within Georgia's number one industry, agriculture. "Fields of Opportunity: Exploring Careers in Agriculture" will be held on Thursday, March 26 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. Participants will discuss the importance of developing the next generation of agricultural leaders and how organizations are fostering meaningful career pathways that ensure the long-term success of Georgia's farm and forestry communities. 

Leaders from both organizations will discuss how GFB and ABAC work together to connect advocacy, workforce development, hands-on education, and leadership and networking opportunities for farmers and future farmers. Topics will include the role of precision agriculture tools play in improving planting, crop management, and livestock efficiency, as well as the expanding opportunities for growth across Georgia's diverse agricultural landscape.

Presenters will also highlight the importance of agricultural education in building a strong workforce pipeline. The conversation will spotlight career paths that extend beyond production agriculture, including environmental horticulture, turfgrass and golf course management, timber and forestry, agribusiness, sales, marketing, distribution, and business leadership programs within ABAC's Stafford School of Business. The goal is to broaden awareness of the many high-demand careers that support Georgia farms from field to consumer.

Action this Week

HB 276

Reps. Williamson, Smith, Kelley, Blackmon, Crowe, and others

This bill puts in place a $200m transferrable tax credit for construction of woody biomass energy structure. Up to $1.6 billion (8 facilities). It also includes a provision to incentivize data centers to use energy produced from woody biomass. They can continue to benefit from other state incentives (removal of sales tax on equipment) or they can continue to het these incentives they locate themselves in tier 1 counties. 

Passed House Ways & Means Committee by substitute (03/06/25)

HB 547

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 in CUVA covenants, and lastly, it allows landowners to join existing contiguous covenants and roll them into a single new covenant, provided the parcels are eligible for renewal.

Passed House (03/06/26)

HB 880

Reps. Blackmon, Kelley, Stevens, Newton, Martin, and others 

This bill reduces the income tax rate to 3.99% while increasing the dependent exemption, retirement income exclusion, and standard deduction. 

Passed House (03/06/26) 

HB 947

Reps. Momtahan, Cannon, Tarvin, Powell, Jones, and others

This bill strengthens the state's oversight of SNAP eligibility, verification, and rule enforcement to help fight program fraud. The bill would strengthen Georgia's fraud investigation capabilities, protect the state from lawsuits, and phase in major verification changes over time.

Passed House (03/06/26)

HB 973

Reps. Burns, Jones, Efstration, and Hatchett

This is the amended budget for fiscal year 2026. 

Signed by the Governor (03/03/26)

HB 1000

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

This bill would provide a one-time tax credit of $250 for individual filers and $500 for joint filers for taxpayers who filed income tax returns for 2024 or 2025.

Assigned to Senate Finance Committee (03/06/26)

HB 1116

Reps. Blackmon, Burns, Efstration, Hatchett, Cannon, and others 

This bill was changed, removing the binding constitutional amendment and homestead exemption increases. Now the bill caps local sales tax at 5%, creates a LHOST for city and counties only and creates conversations for FLOST. Caps Ad Valorem tax increases at 3% or with CPI, and Increases school reserve to 15-25%

Passed House (03/06/26) 

HB 1159

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

This bill exempts payments from the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program from state income tax if they are received on or before March 31, 2026.

Assigned to Senate Finance Committee (03/06/26)

HB 1195

Reps. Leverett, Mathiak, Gullett, Camp, and Cooper

This bill clarifies a veterinarian client relationship will not be required to perform teleadvice or or teletriage.

Assigned to Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee (03/04/26)

HB 1266

Reps. Ridley, Rhodes, and Meeks

This bill would allow engines exceeding 9.9 horsepower on the Ogeechee from where the river crosses State Highway 119 to its origin.

Assigned to Senate Natural Resources & Environment Committee (03/04/26)

HB 1285

Reps. Cheokas, Stephans, Barrett, Williams, Hong, and others

This bill authorizes counties to collect an enhanced homestead option sales tax and a local option sales tax.

Passed House (03/06/26)

HB 1310

Reps. Ford, Dickey, Meeks, O'Steen, Williams, and Cannon

This bill would designate cotton as the official state fabric.

Assigned to Senate Economic Development & Tourism Committee (03/03/26)

HB 1483

Rep. Stevens 

This bill prohibits a taxpayer from submitting a class-action lawsuit for a refund on behalf of other taxpayers. 

Assigned to House Judiciary Committee (03/04/26)

HR 1000

Reps. Efstration, Williams, Dickey, Williams, Buckner, and others

This resolution would amend the constitution and place a question on the 2026 statewide ballot to suspend the collection of harvest tax for timber cut on land enrolled in a preferential treatment covenant for conservation if it returns to a qualifying use of said covenant. It includes a reimbursement provision for counties' lost revenue due to the tax suspension.

Passed House (03/06/26)

HR 1300

Reps. Ford, Canon, Hatchett, Jones, Greene, and others

This resolution honors former longtime representative Ms. Penny Houston by naming a roundabout in her honor.

Passed House (03/06/26)

HR 1416

Reps. Dickey, Meeks, O'Steen, Ford, Corbett, and others

This resolution establishes a Joint House and Senate Study Committee on Generational Sustainability of Family Farms.

Assigned to Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee (03/06/26)

SB 306

Sen. Robertson

This bill changes the mandatory notification of an expiring CUVA covenant from first-class to certified mail. If the landowner does not receive notification of the impending expiry, the covenant is automatically renewed for one year.

Assigned to House Ways & Means Committee (03/06/26)

SB 442

Sens. Dickerson, Albers, Walker III, Burns, Hatchett, and others

This bill makes it so that any non-citizen who has been issued a commercial driver's license shall automatically have their license revoked upon the expiration of the visa. It also requires the non-citizen applicant to pass a skills test for driving a commercial motor vehicle.

Passed Senate (03/06/26)

SB 447

Sens. Dixon, Still, Anavitarte, Goodman, Echols, and others

This bill changes the permitting standard for soil erosion permits by establishing a 45-day decision deadline, requiring that all unanswered permit applications be approved immediately, and streamlining definitions to make permit applications easier.

Assigned to House Natural Resources & Environment Committee (03/06/26)

SB 478

Sens. Watson, Anavitarte, Walker III, Anderson, and Goodman

This bill extends the sunset provision to the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund and allows the state to dedicate 80% of the sales tax collected on sporting goods, rather than 40%.

Assigned to House Natural Resources & Environment Committee (03/06/26)

SB 551

Sens. Watson, Anderson, Echols, and Goodman

This bill removes the code section relating to the egg candling program.

Passed Senate (03/06/26)

SR 800

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

This resolution establishes a Joint Study Committee on Generational Sustainability of Family Farms.

Assigned to House Special Rules Committee (03/04/26)