Legislative Report Week 3
Legislative Report Week 3
January 31, 2025
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In this Issue:
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Photo Credits: House Media Services |
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Week 3 Under the Gold Dome The General Assembly convened for legislative days 6-9, beginning on Monday, January 27th, and finishing the week on Thursday, January 30th. After a delay last week due to the winter storm, everyone was eager to make up for lost time.
Tuesday, January 28th, the House and Senate met for the annual State of the Judiciary. This joint session is hosted in the House chamber and gives Chief Justice Micheal Boggs of the Georgia Supreme Court an opportunity to address the General Assembly. Justice Boggs talked about Georgia's "legal deserts," the title given to the seven rural counties in Georgia that currently have no practicing attorneys, and how he desires to expand the reach of legal representation to those areas. He expressed his concern for the growing number of threats and acts of violence against judges and courts; but even more important than that, he said, was the practice of partisan elections in some probate and magistrate judges. He is concerned of the potential pitfalls the legal system may face should judges be allowed to become partisan actors potentially blinded by politics.
Wednesday, January 29th, Georgia Farm Bureau, GFB, partnered with the Georgia Forestry Association, GFA, to sponsor the Rural Caucus. Rural Caucus is a bipartisan joint caucus comprised of rural House and Senate members from across the state. It is a great opportunity to connect with our rural legislators every week and share with them our organizations priorities for the year. GFB and GFA talked about the importance of providing hurricane relief for our farmers and foresters as well as the upcoming truck weights legislation we are advocating for this year.
Next week, the General Assembly will convene Monday through Thursday for legislative days 10-13. |
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Photo Credits: Governor Brain P. Kemp official X account |
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Governor Kemp Champions Tort Reform Governor Brain Kemp held a press conference on Thursday, January 30th, announcing his much-anticipated legislative package for tort reform. The halls of the Capitol were packed with workers across all industries - healthcare, transportation, construction, agriculture, grocery and more were represented to show their support for Governor Kemp's efforts.
Tort reform has become a common slur and often refers to the way a jury calculates awards during civil litigation or who can file a suit in particular instances. For the agriculture and business community, this proposal will reign in frivolous lawsuits and provide protection from plaintiffs capitalizing off Georgia's out of balance legal climate. For far too long, Georgia's small business owners have been victims of increasing insurance rates, runaway jury verdicts, and the ever-looming threat of legal action for situations out of their control.
During the press conference, Governor Kemp announced nine policy areas he would address this year. Once the bill is introduced, we will give an overview of what all is included in the package. GFB is eager to help see this through the legislative process. Click here to watch the press conference. |
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Committee Meetings Pick Up The time for committee meetings has arrived, with this past week marking the inaugural meetings of the House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, House Natural Resources and Environment, and House Game, Fish and Parks Committees.
Chairman Trey Rhodes (R-Greensboro) of the House Committee on Game, Fish & Parks met on Monday to hear testimony from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, which provided an update on the discovery of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Berrien County. Following Chairman Rhodes' committee, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development met, where the Georgia Department of Agriculture outlined its budget requests for the Amended FY25 Budget. The department is seeking $37.4 million to continue renovations at the Atlanta Farmers Market, $425,772 for personnel and equipment to staff the newly created hemp program, $2.1 million for vehicle upgrades, and $370,000 to help combat the HPAI outbreak. The commissioner warned that the SAFETY24 program will require close to $150 million to adequately process applications and expressed hope funds would begin rolling out soon to applicants.
On Wednesday, the House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee, chaired by Representative Robert Dickey (R-Musella), met to hear testimony from the Environmental Protection Division. The division provided a history of agriculture water metering and agriculture water withdrawal permits. Afterwards, the committee received an update from the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Poultry Federation on the HPAI outbreak in Elbert County.
On Thursday, the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment, chaired by Representative Lynn Smith (R-Newnan), received updates from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Finance Authority, and Georgia Forestry Commission. |
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Multiple CUVA Bills Introduced Conservation Use Value Assessment, CUVA, is one of the most important programs in Georgia for the success and longevity of agriculture. CUVA is vital in preserving our state's farm and timberland, and it is always a top priority of GFB to protect the integrity of the program. This year we are looking at a few different proposals to strengthen CUVA.
There have been three resolutions, accompanied by their enabling legislation, to increase the acreage cap for CUVA. HR 32 and HB 90 by Majority Leader Chuck Efstration (R-Mulberry) and SR 56 and SB 45 by Senator Sam Watson (R-Moultrie) both would increase the acreage cap from 2,000 acres to 4,000 acres. SR 55 and SB 43 by Senator Carden Summers (R-Cordele) would increase the acreage cap from 2,000 acres to 6,000 acres. To increase the acreage cap in CUVA, the General Assembly must pass a constitutional amendment that is then voted on in a statewide election. Because certain aspects of CUVA are enshrined in the Constitution, it requires both a resolution, that includes the statewide ballot question, and a bill.
Two bills have been introduced to address leasing land enrolled in CUVA. HB 129 by Representative Chas Cannon (R-Moultrie) and SB 59 by Senator Sam Watson (R-Moultrie) would allow a non-eligible entity to lease property in CUVA if the owners of the entity would meet the qualifications of CUVA individually and one member maintains at least a 25% ownership of the property.
HB 169 by Representative Chas Cannon (R-Moultrie) removes the modified breach of a CUVA covenant for solar projects for all new or renewed covenants entered after July 1, 2025. HB 169 also makes this same amendment to the Forest Land Protection Act, FLPA. |
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Truck Weights Bill Introduced During the 2023 legislative session GFB, along with a coalition of agriculture organizations, advocated for an increase in the gross vehicle weight (GVW) for trucks hauling agriculture and forest products. The bill passed, increasing the GVW from 84,000lbs to 88,000lbs for agriculture and forest products on non-interstate highways, strengthened local law enforcement's ability to police weights, and increased the penalties for overweight trucks. However, the bill included a sunset provision which means it will be repealed on July 1, 2025, decreasing the weights back to 84,000lbs.
Representative Steven Meeks (R-Screven) introduced HB 164 which will remove the sunset provision and permanently set the weights at 88,000lbs. Rep. Meeks carried the truck weights legislation originally and, as a farmer himself, understands the importance of this bill. It will put our producers on a level playing field with our neighboring states - each allowing their producers to haul at least 88,000lbs. The bill will be considered in the House Transportation Committee. |
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Georgia Farmer of the Year During the 2025 Ag Forecast, Kent Hamilton, CEO of Southern Valley, was named the 2025 Georgia Farmer of the Year. Southern Valley is located in Norman Park, and they grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Hamilton will go on to compete at the Sunbelt Ag Expo for the 2025 Southeast Farmer of the Year Award. This year, Georgia will be the spotlight state for the competition. |
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Georgia Represented at AFBF Convention Over the past week, roughly 160 Georgia Farm Bureau members attended the 106th American Farm Bureau Convention in San Antonio. Members had the opportunity to participate in leadership development, policy breakout sessions, networking, and visit with venders at the trade show. Habersham County was featured with a booth at the trade show after receiving a County of Excellence Award for its Summer on the Farm Camp. Georgia was also well represented in competitive events by our state winners. Jackson County's Cain Thurmond competed in the Discussion Meet, finishing 2nd nationally. Cason Anderson of Houston County competed in the Young Farmer & Rancher Achievement Award, while Oglethorpe County's Kaitlyn and Kaleb Marchant competed for the Excellence in Ag Award. Additionally, Cleve Jackson, of Floyd County, was named to the AFBF YF&R Committee for 2025. Congratulations to these members for their accomplishments and representing Georgia on the national stage!
On Tuesday, voting delegates gathered to debate and finalize policy positions guiding AFBF's advocacy work. There was substantial debate surrounding topics like agriculture workforce and the H-2a program, livestock identification, the Farm Bill, and trade policies. Numerous policies submitted by GFB members were also passed, addressing young and beginning farmer programs, nuisance wildlife, and mitigating the impact of foreign produce imports. We appreciate all of the members who attended the convention, guiding the direction of the largest grassroots agricultural organization. |
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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.
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Reps. Park, Hugley, Au, Griffin, and Clark This bill intends to raise the taxes on a pack of (20) cigarettes from $0.37 to $1.37. Assigned to House Ways & Means Committee (01/28/2025)
Reps. Hong, Gambill, McDonald III, Wade, Williamson, and others This bill intends to reduce the individual income tax rate from 5.39% to 5.19% for taxable years beginning in January, 2025. Starting in 2026 the tax rate will be reduced 0.10% annually until it reaches 4.99%, if certain economic metrics are met as to safeguard the state economy. Assigned to House Ways & Means Committee (01/28/2025)
Reps. McDonald III, Hong, Gambill, Wade, Powell, and others This bill creates a one-time tax credit for any taxpayer who filed for an income tax return in 2023 and 2024. The amount would be $250 for single or married filing separate, $375 for a head of household, and $500 for married filing joint. Assigned to House Ways & Means Committee (01/28/2025)
Reps. McDonald III, Hong, Gambill, Wade, Powell, and others This bill intends to prohibit the state and its agencies from purchasing certain items from China. This bill provides language to determine what items will be prohibited and gives power to the Technology Authority. Assigned to House Governmental Affairs Committee (01/28/2025)
Reps. McDonald III, Crowe, Hitchens, Lumsden and Barrett This bill seeks to update Georgia's regulations for commercial motor vehicles and motor carriers by putting them on par with recent federal safety standards, Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Assigned to House Motor Vehicles Committee (01/28/2025)
Reps. McDonald III, Crowe, Hitchens, Lumsden, and Barrett This bill renames the Georgia Department of Public Safety's Motor Carrier Compliance Division (MCCD) to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) and updates language to include law enforcement responsibilities and provides terminology to explain how officers will be trained and what they enforce. Assigned to House Motor Vehicles Committee (01/28/2025)
Reps. Petrea, Williams, Townsend, DeLoach, and Franklin This bill requires all food service establishments to disclose the country of origin of any seafood or shellfish sold at the restaurant. Country of origin must be clearly displayed on the menu or a placard. Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on (01/28/2025)
Reps. Cannon, Burchett, Dickey, Corbett, Huddleston, and other This bill seeks to remove restrictions on certain leased properties that were previously disqualified from entering into a CUVA covenant. The leasing entity must be owned by a US citizen, the primary purpose of the land use must be agricultural, 80% of the entity's gross income must come from bona fide conservation use, and one member must own at least 25% stake In the property for the leased property to remain eligible. Assigned to House Ways & Means Committee (01/29/2025)
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. Assigned to House Natural Resources & Environment Committee (01/30/2025)
Reps. Momtahan, Cannon, Hagan, Corbett, O'Steen, and others This bill allows Georgia taxpayers to deduct casualty losses for timber from their state income tax based on the diminished value of up to 2,000 acres. The claimed acreage must be owned by the Georgia taxpayer and cannot be claimed by another individual. The Georgia Department of Revenue will track the deductions as taxes are processed and has capped the state-wide deductions at $347 million a year. Assigned to House Ways & Means Committee on (01/30/2025)
Reps. Ridley, Ridley, Hagan, Carpenter, Cox, and others This bill intends to require food service establishments to disclose if any food product offered contains cell-cultured meat, plant-based meat alternatives, or both. Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on (01/30/2025)
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. Assigned to the House Transportation Committee on (01/30/2025)
Reps. Gambill, Hong, McDonald III, Wade, Blackmon, and others This resolution ratifies Governor Kemp's executive order suspending the collection of motor fuel and diesel fuel taxes. Assigned to the House Ways & Means Committee on (01/28/2025)
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. Assigned to Senate Judiciary Committee on (01/29/2025)
Sens. Summers, Brass, Goodman, Watson, Anderson, and others This bill intends to expand the maximum number of acres allowed in a CUVA covenant from 2,000 to 6,000 acres. Assigned to Senate Finance Committee on (01/29/2025)
Sens. Watson, Hickman, Goodman, Anderson, and Kennedy This bill intends to expand the maximum number of acres allowed in a CUVA covenant from 2,000 to 4,000 acres. Assigned to Senate Finance Committee on (01/29/2025)
Sens. Goodman, Kennedy, Tillery, Gooch, Jones II, and others The Timberlands Recovery, Exemption and Earning Stability Act intends to provide timer owners a tax relief from Hurricane Helene. This tax relief applies to counties in the FEMA designated disaster area and aims to waive the severance tax for the final quarter of 2024 and all four quarters of 2025. Landowners automatically qualify, there is no application. Local governments would be eligible for compensatory state grants equal to the historic three-year average of the severance tax collected in that county. Assigned to Senate Finance Committee on (01/29/2025)
Sens. Watson, Hickman, Goodman, Anderson, Summer, and others This bill seeks to remove restrictions on certain leased properties that were previously disqualified from entering a CUVA covenant. The leasing entity must be owned by a US citizen, the primary purpose of the land use must be agricultural, 80% of the entity's gross income must come from bona fide conservation use, and one member must own at least 25% ownership in the property for the leased property to remain eligible. Assigned to Senate Finance Committee on (01/30/2025)
Sens. Walker III, Ginn, Cowsert, Echols, Watson, and others A resolution to commend the 2024-2025 Georgia 4-H Leadership team and recognizing February 25, 2025 as 4-H Day at the capitol. Adopted on (01/29/2025)
Sens. Watson, Goodman, Summers, Sims, Hickman, and others A resolution to commend the Georgia Young Farmer Teacher Program. Adopted on (01/29/2025)
Sens. Watson, Hickman, Goodman, Anderson, and Kennedy This is the constitutional amendment and statewide ballot question for SB 45. Assigned to Senate Finance committee on (01/29/2025) |
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Bills of Interest
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
GA Agribusiness Council Annual Meeting - February 4th GA Agribusiness Council Legislative Breakfast - February 5th GA Chamber Rural Day - February 4th-5th Forestry Day at the Capitol - February 10th-11th EMC Day at the Capitol - February 10th Georgia Farm Bureau Federation Day - February 11th GGIA Capitol Day - February 18th FFA Day at the Capitol - February 18th Field to Table: Food Prices & Inflation 2025 - February 21st 4-H Day at the Capitol - February 25th Georgia Citrus Association Conference - February 25th FFA Blue & Gold Gala - March 15th 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.
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