Legislative Report Week 11
Legislative Report Week 11
March 28, 2025
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Photo Credits: House Media Services |
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This week, the General Assembly convened for legislative days 35-37, beginning the week on Tuesday, March 25th , and concluding on Friday, March 28th. The General Assembly met for one committee workday on Wednesday, March 26th.
The 2025 legislative session is in the short rows. Next week is the final week of the session, and the General Assembly will adjourn Sine Die on Friday, April 4th. It has been a good year for the agriculture industry up to this point with the legislature delivering on key issues like Hurricane Helene relief, truck weights, tort reform, and more.
On Thursday, we were excited to see our friend and Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Terry England visiting the Capitol. We ask you continue to lift up Terry and his family as he recovers from a farm accident. Terry has always been a part of the Georgia Farm Bureau family and a lifelong supporter of Georgia agriculture.
Next week, the General Assembly will reconvene on Monday, March 31st for the final three legislative days and two committee workdays. |
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Truck Weights Heads to the Governor's Desk On Thursday, HB 164 by Representative Steven Meeks (R-Screven) was considered by the full Senate chamber. The bill was presented by Senator Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell), and it would permanently raise the gross vehicle weight for trucks hauling agriculture and forest products to 88,000 pounds.
With every neighboring state being allowed to haul at least 88,000 pounds, HB 164 helps level the playing field for Georgia producers and make them more competitive. This bill passed with resounding support, 55-1, and will now head to Governor Kemp's desk for his consideration. |
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Photo Credits: House Media Services |
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Second Tort Reform Bill Passes House On Thursday, the full House considered SB 69 by Senator John Kennedy (R-Macon), the last of the two bills included in Governor Kemp's comprehensive tort reform package. This bill looks to address issues with third party litigation funding and require certain disclosure when third party funding is involved.
Georgia Farm Bureau has been supporting the Governor's efforts to balance the legal climate in Georgia. SB 69 passed with a 98-69 vote and now must go back to the Senate for approval of the House amendments. |
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Ag Water Metering Heads to the Governor's Desk On Tuesday, the full Senate took up HB 143 by Representative Robert Dickey (R-Musella) which was presented by Senator Sam Watson (R-Moultrie). This bill looks to make the agricultural water withdrawal metering program more streamlined, saving the state and farmers money. It will shift the burden to the state for funding the installation of meters and only require permits the state deems necessary to be metered. The goal of this legislation is to bring more farmers into compliance while reducing the regulatory burden.
We were happy to see the bill pass with unanimous support and now heads to the Governor's desk to be considered. We want to thank the Environmental Protection Division for spearheading this issue and relieving the regulatory burden on farmers while saving the state money. |
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On Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee met to consider HB 68 by Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) which is the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Chairman of Appropriations, Senator Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia) walked through his committee's changes to the House edits. The Senate version of the FY26 budget reduced many of the investments the House had made in areas affecting agriculture, but key investments in UGA Cooperative Extension stayed in. Particularly, the Senate supported the addition of a North Georgia Hay and Forage Extension Specialist to help service the state. This is an important position GFB has been advocating for this year to support our members.
On Friday, the full Senate considered HB 68. It passed the full body with strong support and now the House must consider the Senate changes to the FY26 budget.
Georgia Department of Agriculture
Department of Education (Agriculture Education)
University System of Georgia
Department of Revenue
Capital Project Funds
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On Monday, the Senate Finance Committee met and considered HB 129 by Representative Chas Cannon (R-Moultrie). This bill would allow certain non-qualified entities to lease land enrolled in a Conservation Use, CUVA, covenant as long as they meet certain requirements outlined in the legislation. As the legal structure of farms change and farmers adapt to meet the challenges of today, it is important we ensure they can continue to utilize programs like CUVA.
The bill passed out of committee and now waits to be considered by the full Senate chamber. HB 129 will help enable more land to remain in conservation and protect the economic viability of farms. |
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GFB Legislative Committee Visits Capitol On Monday and Tuesday, members of Georgia Farm Bureau's Board of Directors Legislative Committee traveled to Atlanta to engage with state legislators and advocate for agricultural priorities. The visit began with a dinner, including Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper, House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Chairman Robert Dickey (R-Musella), Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Chairman Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell), and other members of the House and Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.
A casual breakfast the next morning allowed for lobbying efforts to continue, after which GFB committee members visited legislators during session. Committee members were able to discuss priority issues with several guests, including Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington), House Majority Leaders Chuck Efstration (R-Mulberry) and Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega), House Majority Whip James Burchett (R-Waycross), and Senator Drew Echols (R-Gainesville). These discussions emphasized the importance of ongoing legislative support for agriculture and celebrated the successful passage of priority bills this session.
This visit was an opportunity to thank our legislators for their dedication to advancing policies that benefit Georgia's agricultural community. Members of GFB's Legislative Committee include: Tom McCall, Daniel Johnson, Bernard Sims, Ralph Caldwell, Gilbert Barrett, Leighton Cooley, Ben Boyd, and Don Wood. |
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Reps. Carpenter, Tarvin, Crawford, and Fleming This bill designates cornbread as the official state bread of Georgia. Passed House and Passed Senate Economic Development & Tourism Committee by Substitute (03/27/2025)
Reps. Blackmon, Kelley, Williams, Erwin, and Washburn This bill extends the deadline for local governments to opt-out of the base year homestead exemption from March 1, 2025, to May 1, 2025. Authorities must advertise their intent to opt out via press releases and newspaper ads, and hold at least three public hearings. Headed to Governor's Desk (03/27/2025)
Reps. Dickey, Smith, Yearta, Greene, Cannon, and others This bill will return the responsibility of metering to the State where an amendment, transfer, modification, or assignment is effective on or after April 20, 2018. It will remove the responsibility that farmers install sufficient infrastructure for the installation of state funded meters, following EPD's attempt of a meter installation and its determination of insufficient infrastructure. It will authorize EPD staff to undertake maintenance and new meter installation in specific cases. Headed to Governor's Desk (03/25/2025)
Reps. Meeks, Hagan, Buckner, Dickey, Cannon, and others This bill removes the sunset on the truck weights legislation passed in 2023. It will make the 10% weight variance agriculture and forest products permanent, raising the gross vehicle weight to 88,000 pounds. Headed to Governor's Desk (03/27/2025)
Reps. Townsend, DeLoach, Sainz, Burchett, Hagan and others This bill intends to designate Brunswick stew as the official state stew. Passed House and Recommitted to Senate Rules Committee (03/25/2025)
Reps. Anderson, Rhodes, Meeks, Williams, Huddleston, and others This bill makes some changes to the definition of an "multi-purpose off highway vehicle" and removes the ad valorem tax on said vehicles starting on January 1st, 2025. Passed House and Passed Senate Finance Committee (03/27/2025)
Reps. Jones, Thomas, and Martin This bill would give local governments the ability to adopt ordinances prohibiting the use of fireworks within 100 yards of an equine facility. Headed to Governor's Desk (03/25/2025)
Reps. Dickey, Meeks, and Dawson This bill is titled the Georgia Meat Transparency and Source Verification Act. It is to begin the conversation around producers selling products under certain labels and ensure those products align with their label. Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee (03/27/2025) Sens. Hatchett, Gooch, Anavitarte, and Robertson This bill is intended to help stop metal theft by tightening the regulations and punishments of theft. Only registered secondary metal recyclers can buy or advertise for used catalytic converters. Anyone possessing, selling, or transporting detached converters must have proper documentation and if the offender does not have proper documentation then each detached converter is a separate offense. Passed Senate and Passed House by Substitute (03/27/2025)
Sens. Kennedy, Gooch, Robertson, Anavitarte, Hatchett, and others This bill is the second of Governor Kemp's tort reform package that addresses a single issue surrounding third-party litigation funding. Passed Senate and Passed House with Amendments (3/27/2025)
Sens. Robertson, Payne, Hufstetler, Williams, Albers, and others This bill intends to ban cock and dog fighting as well as provide punishment for exposing those activities to a minor. Passed Senate and Passed House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee (03/27/2025)
Sens. Anavitarte, Watson, Goodman, Echols, Hatchett, and other This bill allows licensed practicing veterinarians to provide consultations using synchronous or asynchronous telecommunications. It requires telemed providers to be licensed in Georgia and other requirements. Passed House and Passed Senate by Substitute (03/27/2025)
SB 365: This bill is titled the Georgia Meat and Organic Produce Transparency and Safety Act. It is to begin the conversation around producers selling products under certain labels and ensure those products align with their label. Assigned to Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee (5/28/2025) |
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To stay updated on all the bills GFB is tracking, check out our newly 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. |
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Save the Date Southeast Green - June 10-12 |
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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 Renee Jones, Operations Coordinator Amelia Junod, Advocacy and Policy Development Specialist Chase McClure, Governmental Affairs Specialist Ben Parker, National Affairs Coordinator |