Legislative Report Week 10
Legislative Report Week 10
March 20, 2026
In this Issue:
- Incentivizing Timber Market Relief
- Governor Kemp Suspends Motor Fuel Tax
- Bill to Clean Up Landowner Challenges with CUVA
- Farmer Bridge Payments to be Income Tax Exempt
- Apply Now - Hurricane Helene Block Grants
- Fields of Opportunity: Exploring Careers in Agriculture
- Action this Week
- Bill Tracker
- Save the Date
Photo Credits: Senate Press Office
This week, the General Assembly convened for 4 legislative days and 1 committee workday, concluding the week on Friday, March 20th, legislative day 35. Day by day, we are approaching the conclusion of the 2026 legislative session. In these final days, the pace of action picks up significantly with the House and Senate considering more bills on the floor.
On Wednesday, Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee Chairman Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell) recognized the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity on the Senate floor. AGR is a social and professional fraternity focused on agriculture, forestry, and natural resources with a chapter at both the University of Georgia and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. We enjoyed seeing these young men at the Capitol and their commitment to be leaders for the future of the agriculture industry in our state.
On Thursday, a 25-year veteran of the Georgia Forestry Commission was recognized at the state capitol for earning the agency's highest honor. Roger Todd, a native of Folkston, Georgia, received the 2025 GFC Director's Award for his leadership as chief ranger in Charlton County and for his quick response to a local plane crash. We appreciate the work of the Georgia Forestry Commission promoting healthy forests and fighting wildfires across the state. Todd was joined by Commission leadership and Smokey the Bear.
Next week, the Georgia General Assembly will reconvene on Monday, March 23rd, for 3 legislative days and 2 committee workdays. This will be the last full week before Sine Die. For the full calendar, see HR 998, the adjournment resolution.
Incentivizing Timber Market Relief
On Wednesday, the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome), considered HB 1085 by Representative Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah). This bill allows the Georgia Jobs Tax Credit and Georgia Investment Tax Credit to be transferable for qualifying forest product manufacturers and bolsters credits for investments in the most rural communities in Georgia.
Following the closure of multiple large forest product facilities in Georgia during the past year, HB 1085 will be a tool to stabilize timber markets for landowners who need outlets to sell wood cut from their property. Without these healthy markets, landowners and farmers struggle to remain economically viable in timberland production. These market disruptions also trickle through rural communities, hurting rural economies that rely on the agriculture and forest industry. Through the bolstered tax credits within HB 1085, forest product manufacturers will be encouraged to grow investments in Georgia.
The committee passed HB 1085 with unanimous approval, sending the bill to the Senate Rules Committee, where it waits to be considered by the full Senate chamber.
Photo Credits: Office of Governor Brian Kemp
Governor Kemp Suspends Motor Fuel Tax
On Friday, Governor Brian Kemp signed HB 1199 by Representative John Carson (R-Marietta), which is the annual Internal Revenue Code revision bill, but was amended to include a provision to suspend the motor fuel tax for 60 days.
We applaud Governor Kemp's efforts to provide financial relief to all Georgians in the midst of inflationary pressures from global conflict. This measure will save $0.33 per gallon for gasoline and $0.37 per gallon for diesel. Along with HB 1199, HB 1000 by Representative Matthew Gambill (R-Cartersville), which provides a one-time tax rebate of $250 for individual filers and $500 for joint filers, was signed by Governor Kemp during a signing ceremony.
Bill to Clean Up Landowner Challenges with CUVA
On Thursday, SB 306 by Senator Randy Robertson (R-Cataula) was heard in the House Ways and Means Committee. During committee, language from HB 547 by Representative Chas Cannon (R-Moultrie) was added to SB 306. With the addition of the new language, SB 306 has turned into an omnibus CUVA clean-up bill. 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. All in all, this bill will help more landowners stay enrolled in conservation-focused covenants protecting working farm and forestland.
SB 306 passed the House Ways and Means Committee and now waits in the Rules Committee to be considered by the full House chamber.
Photo Credits: Senate Press Office
Farmer Bridge Payments to be Income Tax Exempt
On Wednesday, the full Senate chamber considered HB 1159 by Representative Matthew Gambill (R-Cartersville) and carried by Senator Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia). This bill will eliminate state income taxes on any Farmer Bridge Payments received from the United States Department of Agriculture.
The bill passed the full chamber with resounding support and now waits to be signed by Governor Kemp. We applaud the General Assembly's work in keeping more dollars in the pockets of farmers who need the support.
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.
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 that 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.
Reps. Kelley, Dickey, Parsons, Camp, Cannon, and others
This bill requires solar panels to be disposed of by a legitimate recycling facility and forbids their disposal in a landfill.
Passed Senate Natural Resources & Environment Committee by substitute (03/17/26)
Reps. Jenkins, Huddleston, Campbell, Ridley, and Byrd
This bill deals with transfer-on-death deeds by adding new procedures and also strengthens state preemption to prevent local governments from regulating or attempting to regulate agricultural practices.
Passed Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee by substitute (03/18/26)
Reps. Clifton, Rhodes, Ridley, Kelley, Cannon, and others
This bill would remove all language related to the wildlife control permit, allowing feral hogs to be hunted or trapped without any licensing requirements. It would also allow feral hogs to be located using unmanned aircraft systems, provided all applicable rules are followed, and hunted from motor vehicles, provided the feral hogs are on private land.
Passed House and Passed Senate (03/20/26)
Reps. Hagan, Cannon, Meeks, and Burchett
This agency legislation would exempt certain prescribed burns for silvicultural purposes from permit and notice requirements.
Passed House and Passed Senate (03/16/2026)
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.
Signed by the Governor (03/16/26)
Reps. Blackmon, Gambill, Hong, Seabaugh, Wade, and Williamson
This bill clarifies the language regarding the annual state income tax rate reduction by removing language relating to the triggers that must be met to trigger the reduction and stating that the state income tax rate will be reduced from 5.19% to 4.99% for taxable years beginning in 2026.
Passed Senate Finance Committee (03/19/26)
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.
Passed Senate Finance Committee by substitute (03/17/2026)
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 13, 2026.
Passed House and Passed Senate (03/18/26)
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.
Passed House and Passed Senate (03/20/26)
Reps. Leverett, Mathiak, Gullett, Camp, and Cooper
This bill strikes language that would allow veterinary technicians to practice teleadvice and teletriage, making it such that only licensed vets can do so, and does not require a patient-client relationship to perform veterinary teleadvice and teletriage.
Passed House and Passed Senate (03/19/26)
Reps. Carson, Blackmon, Kelley, Williamson
This bill is the annual IRS tax code revision, amended to include a tax credit for low-income housing and a 60-day suspension of the motor vehicle fuel tax.
Signed by the Governor (03/19/26)
Reps. Ridley, Rhodes, and Meeks
This bill would allow engines on the Ogeechee River, except for jet-skis on the Ogeechee River from the point where it crosses State Highway No. 119 to its point of origin.
Passed Senate Natural Resources & Environment Committee (03/17/26)
Reps. Camp, Hagan, Cooper, Cox, Jasperse, and others
This bill would authorize licensed veterinarians to administer antirabies vaccinations to animals required by this state to be inoculated against rabies.
Passed House and Passed Senate (03/19/26)
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.
Passed Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee (03/18/26)
Rep. Stinson
This resolution creates the House Study Committee on Dangerous Animal Attacks and Animal Control Resources in Rural Georgia to study committee to study dangerous animal attacks and animal control resources in rural Georgia.
Assigned to House Special Rules Committee (03/19/26)
Reps. Efstration, Burns, Persinger, Gaines, Hatchett, and others
This resolution honors Mr. Terry England by designating an intersection in his name.
Assigned to House Transportation Committee (03/19/26)
Reps. Gambill, Erwin, Dubnik, Fleming, and Rhodes
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 House (03/19/26)
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.
Passed House Ways & Means Committee by substitute (03/19/26)
Sens. Hufstetler, Albers, Walker III, Anavitarte, Hatchett, and others
This bill requires all political subdivisions to implement the statewide base-year homestead exemption and streamlines the processes for homeowners who previously qualified. The bill also removes certain prerequisites for calling a referendum on a Special District Sales Tax.
Passed House Ways & Means Committee (03/20/26)
Sens. Goodman, Watson, Anderson, Sims, Summers, and others
This bill would rename the Georgia Development Authority the Georgia Agricultural Development Authority.
Passed Senate and Passed House (03/16/26)
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 after a 5-day period, and streamlining definitions to make permit applications easier to complete.
Passed House Natural Resources & Environment Committee by substitute (03/19/26)
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 60% of the sales tax collected on sporting goods, rather than 40%
Passed House Natural Resources & Environment Committee by substitute (03/19/26)
Sens. Watson, Anderson, Echols, and Goodman
This bill removes the code section relating to the egg candling program.
Passed Senate and Passed House (03/18/26)
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 (03/19/26)
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. Click the button below to be redirected to our bill tracker.
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