Legislative Report Week 2

In this Issue: 

• Winter Storm Delays Budget Hearings
• GDA Responds to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak
• GFVGA Director Emeritus Passes Away
• GFB Day at the Capitol
• Bills of Interest
• Save the Date

Photo Credits: Georgia Farm Bureau Facebook

Winter Storm Delays Budget Hearings

On Monday January 20th, Governor Kemp declared a state of emergency to prepare for the extreme winter weather that hit Georgia on Tuesday and Wednesday. Due to historic snowfall and extreme temperatures across the state, Chairman Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia) and Chairman Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin) canceled all budget hearings for Tuesday and Wednesday. A few subcommittees had hearings Thursday afternoon, but we will have to wait until next week to hear from the rest of the agencies about their budget request. The General Assembly will reconvene on Monday, January 27th for the 6th legislative day.

GDA Responds to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak

On January 22, 2025, the second case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was detected by a commercial poultry producer in Elbert County, Georgia. This marks the third detected outbreak in Georgia in 2025 and the second at a commercial poultry operation. The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) immediately began efforts to clean and treat the affected facilities. The proximity of the two affected producers allowed for a swift response and the establishment of a 6.2-mile quarantine zone to help contain the spread.

The GDA has also halted the sale of live birds at auctions, flea markets, and livestock markets, as well as suspended all exhibitions, swaps, and shows featuring live birds until the outbreaks are contained and eliminated. For more information, click here to visit the Department of Agriculture's website, which provides detailed guidance on identifying potential symptoms and reporting outbreaks.

Photo Credits: Georgia Department of Agriculture

GFVGA Director Emeritus Passes Away

On Monday, January 20th, the agriculture industry lost a longtime friend and advocate, Mr. Charles Hall. Mr. Hall was the founder and former CEO of Association Services Group, LLC, a LaGrange-based association management company, and began managing the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, GFVGA, in 1995. Over his career he has been awarded many recognitions honoring his service to the agriculture industry and under his leadership GFVGA hosts one of the premier regional trade shows in the country. To read more from GFB News, click here, or you can follow the link here for his obituary. Visitation will be held on Jan. 24 from noon until 2 PM and will be followed by a Celebration of Life Service at the First Baptist Church on the Square, Lagrange, GA.

GFB Day at the Capitol

Mark your calendars for February 11th as we prepare for Georgia Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol. We encourage all our members to attend and take this opportunity to advocate for our state's number one industry and the farm families that are the backbone of our state. The event will begin at 9:30am in the Blue Room, and attendees will have the opportunity to hear from elected officials and leadership about the work going on this year to support agriculture.