Legislative Report Week 9
Legislative Report Week 9
March 13, 2026
In this Issue:
- Trump Administration Hears Needs of Georgia Farmers
- Week 9 Under the Gold Dome
- FY27 Budget Passes the House and Considered by Senate
- House and Senate Agriculture Committees Meet
- Senate Committee Advances Bridge Payment Legislation
- Hurricane Helene Block Grant Applications
- Congressional District 14 Runoff
- Fields of Opportunity: Exploring Careers in Agriculture
- Action this Week
- Bill Tracker
- Save the Date
Trump Administration Hears Needs of Georgia Farmers
On Tuesday, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Governor Brian Kemp, and First Lady Marty Kemp welcomed Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler, from the President's Administration, to the State Capitol. The two came to hear from the farmers in the Georgia General Assembly about how they can be supporting farmers, farm families, and rural communities amidst the challenges facing our industry. This visit marked the third trip for the Secretary to Georgia, the most visits to any state so far.
Both Secretary Rollins and Administrator Loeffler spoke to the House and Senate, followed by a round table with farmer members of the General Assembly, and ended the visit with a press conference covering the Hurricane Helene Block Grant program. Secretary Rollins was pressed on the challenges facing Georgia farmers, and went back to Washington, D.C. with action items she can work on to directly support them. It was made clear to her the desperate need to help support Georgia farmers, from timber to row crops to specialty crops to livestock, all voices were heard by the Secretary and her team.
We appreciate our friends in the General Assembly who are tirelessly advocates for agriculture. Georgia Farm Bureau appreciated the opportunity to listen in on the roundtable and be apart of the press conference.
Week 9 Under the Gold Dome
The General Assembly convened on Monday, March 9th, for week 9 of the legislative session, concluding days 29-31. With Crossover Day in the rear view mirror, legislators only have a few more weeks to conclude this session. Sine Die, the last day of the legislative session, is set for April 2nd leaving just a brief time to get bills across the finish line.
On Thursday, we were joined by our friends from the Geogia Cattlemen's Association, Georgia Milk Producers, and The Dairy Alliance for Steak Biscuit Day at the Capitol. A favorite of many around the Capitol, this day brings beef and dairy farmers together to advocate for the industry and feed hundreds of steak biscuits. It was good to see the strong support for the livestock industry on display.
Next week the General Assembly will reconvene for 4 legislative days and 1 committee work day. To see the full calendar, see HR 998, the adjournment resolution.
FY27 Budget Passes the House and Considered by Senate
On Monday, the House passed HB 974 by Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington), the state budget for fiscal year 2027. After the House passed the budget, the Senate subcommittees began hearing from state agencies about their budget requests and the Governor's recommendations. On Wednesday afternoon, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Natural Resources heard from Georgia Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Exposition Authority, Poultry Laboratory Network, Soil and Water Conservation Commission, State Forestry Commission, Department of Natural Resources, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Department of Education - Agricultural Education.
Below, is a list of amendments the House made to the Governor's recommendations. As the budget moves through the process, we will provide updates on changes and a comprehensive review of the final bill.
Department of Agriculture
- $293,000 - Increase funds for the operation and maintenance of new Food Safety division software.
- $2,104,888 - Increase funds for personnel to reflect increased retention of Consumer Protection positions.
- $450,000 - Provide funds to address emerging threats impacting the agricultural industry.
- $100,000 - Provide funds for agricultural projects.
- $219,579 - Provide funds for three plan reviewer positions.
- $57,120 - Provide funds for retention of existing plan reviewers.
- $407,500 - Provide funds to initiate a feral hog eradication incentive program.
Department of Education, Agricultural Education
- $591,965 - Provide one-time funds to complete storm damage repairs at FFA camps.
- $325,051 - Provide funds for annual major repairs and rehabilitation at youth camps.
- $498,206 - Increase 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.
Georgia Forestry Commission
- $30,000 - Increase funds to promote forestry.
- $2,136,739 - Increase funds for personnel to promote retention.
Department of Natural Resources
- $500,000 - Increase funds for a public-private feral hog management pilot program.
University of Georgia Board of Regents
- $160,000 - Increase funds to support the peanut breeding program and the cotton breeding program at the University of Georgia.
- $345,115 - Increase funds for five agriculture and natural resources county extension agents.
- $500,000 - Increase funds for research on post-harvest technology to support the peanut industry at the Georgia Tech Research Institute.
Department of Revenue
- $1,000,000 - Provide funds based on projected expenditures to avoid a shortfall with Forestland Protection Grants.
Student Finance Commission
- $300,000 - Increase funds for veterinary student loan repayment.
Bond Projects
- $215,280 - [Bond # 46] Provide $900,000 in 5-year bonds to design the renovation of the Student Success and Career Services building, Abraham Baldwin
- Agricultural College, Tifton, Tift County.
- $2,820,113 - [Bond # 92] Provide $25,000,000 in 20-year bonds to construct the new regulatory laboratory at Atlanta Farmers Market, Forest Park, Clayton County
House and Senate Agriculture Committees Meet
On Wednesday, both the House and Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committees met to consider legislation. The House Committee, chaired by Representative Robert Dickey (R-Musella) heard SB 435 by Senator Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell) which would change the name of the Georgia Development Authority to the Georgia Agricultural Development Authority and SB 551 by Senator Sam Watson (R-Moultrie) which would do away with the egg candling program administered by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Both bills passed with unanimous consent.
That afternoon, the Senate Committee, chaired by Senator Russ Goodman, met to hear two bills. HB 1195 by Representative Rob Leverett (R-Elberton) which clarifies that a veterinarian does not have to have an established veterinarian client relationship to preform teletriage or teleadvice. HB 1408 by Representative Beth Camp (R-Concord) would allow veterinarian technicians to administer rabies vaccines. Both bills passed with strong support.
Senate Committee Advances Bridge Payment Legislation
On Wednesday, the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome) considered HB 1159 by Representative Matthew Gambill (R-Cartersville). This bill would exempt payments through the Farm Bridge Assistance program from state income taxes. Representative Gambill is carrying this bill on behalf of Governor Kemp's office. We applaud the Governor's efforts to keep as many dollars in the pockets of producers receiving assistance from the federal government.
The bill passed out of committee with resounding support and now waits in the Rules Committee to be put up for consideration by the full chamber.
Hurricane Helene Block Grant Applications
Starting Monday, March 16th, the Georgia Department of Agriculture will accept applications for the Hurricane Helene Block Grant program. We encourage everyone in the affected area to prepare their applications as soon as possible. Applicants will have six weeks to apply, from March 16th to April 27th.
We applaud the work of our friends at the Georgia Department of Agriculture for their continued collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture, securing 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.
Congressional District 14 Runoff
In a race that started with 22 registered candidates, two will now face off in a runoff to replace former U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene in the 14th congressional district. Republican Clay Fuller will face Democrat Shawn Harris on April 7th to decide who will hold Georgia's 14th Congressional District. Clay Fuller is a former district attorney in Northwest Georgia's Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit. Fuller beat out a slew of Republicans running for the seat, including former Georgia State Senator Colton Moore, who vacated his seat to run in this election. Democrat Shawn Harris, a retired Army Brigadier General and cattle producer from Polk County beat two other Democrats running in the special election, gaining more votes than any other candidate in the race.
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
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, provided the parcels are eligible for renewal.
Assigned to Senate Finance Committee (03/09/26)
Reps. Momtahan, Cannon, Powell, Jones, and others
This bill strengthens the state's oversight of SNAP eligibility, verification, and rule enforcement to help fight fraud within the program. The bill would strengthen Georgia's fraud investigation capabilities, protect the state from lawsuits, and phase in major verification changes over time.
Assigned to Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee (03/09/26)
Reps. Gambill, Wade, Seabaugh, Hong, Blackmon, and others
This bill would offer a one-time tax credit to taxpayers who file income tax returns for 2024 or 2025. $250 single or married filing separately, $375.00 for head of a household, and $500 for married filing jointly.
Passed Senate Finance Committee (03/10/26)
Reps. Blackmon, Burns, Efstration, Hatchett, Cannon, and others
This bill has been changed to gradually reduce the assessed value of homestead property by 3% each year from 2027 through 2037, until such property is assessed at 10% fair market value for property tax purposes. To offset lost property tax revenue, the bill authorizes: A Local Homestead Option Sales Tax of up to 1%, a School Local Homestead Option Sales Tax of up to 2%, and a Municipal Homestead Option Sales Tax of up to 1%.
Assigned to Senate Finance Committee (03/09/26)
Reps. Gambill, Seabaugh, Wade, Blackmon, Williamson, and others
This bill exempts payments received under the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program from state income tax if received on or before March 31, 2026.
Passed Senate Finance Committee (03/11/26)
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.
Assigned to Senate Finance Committee (03/09/26)
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 CUVA, FLPA, or Ag Preferential and left in a qualifying use. It includes a reimbursement provision for counties' lost revenue due to the tax suspension.
Assigned to Senate Finance Committee (03/09/26)
Reps. Ford, Cannon, Hatchett, Jones, Greene, and others
This resolution honors former longtime legislator Ms. Penny Houston by naming a roundabout in her honor.
Assigned to Senate Transportation Committee (03/09/26)
Sen. Robertson
This bill changes the mandatory notification to the tax assessor from first-class to certified mail. If the owner doesn't receive notification of the impending expiry, the covenant is automatically extended by 1 year.
Assigned to House Ways & Means Committee Committee (03/09/26)
Sens. Dickerson, Albers, Walker III, Burns, Hatchett, and others
Commercial Drivers' Licenses issued to noncitizen residents shall be revoked upon expiry of that person's visa or after five years, whichever is first. This bill also authorizes a skills test before any license issued to a noncitizen driver in another state may be transferred to Georgia.
Assigned to House Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee (03/10/26)
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 (03/04/26)
Sens. Watson, Anderson, Echols, and Goodman
This bill removes the code requiring a candling license to sell eggs.
Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee (03/10/26)
Sens. Watson, Anavitarte, Walker III, Anderson, Goodman, and others
This bill adds a sunset provision to the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund and authorizes the state to allocate up to 80% of revenue from the sales tax on sporting goods.
Assigned to House Natural Resources & Environment Committee (03/06/26)
Sens. Goodman, Watson, Echols, Sims, Anderson, and others
This resolution establishes a joint study committee to study the generational sustainability of Georgia's family farms.
Passed House Special Rules Committee (03/12/26)
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
Georgia Ag Week: March 23rd - 29th
FFA Blue & Gold Gala: March 27th
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