Legislative Session Report Week 10

LEGISLATIVE REPORT  WEEK 10

March 18, 2022

IN THIS ISSUE:

• 31 Down, 9 to Go
• Senate Ag Committee Hears HB 1150, Establishes Raw Milk Subcommittee
• Metal Theft Bill Passes Senate
• Sunshine Protection Act Passes U.S. Senate
• Contribute to the GFB State Impact Fund
• Action This Week
• Bills of Interest
• Upcoming USDA Program Deadlines
• Not a Member of Georgia Farm Bureau? Join Today!
• Dates to Remember

 31 DOWN, 9 TO GO

The Georgia General Assembly met for four legislative days this week with Crossover Day taking place on Tuesday, March 15th. Falling on Legislative Day 28, Crossover Day marks the point during session that all bills must pass the chamber in which they originated to have a chance at full passage and being signed into law by the Governor. Some of Georgia Farm Bureau’s (GFB) priority issues including the Freedom to Farm Act and the Raw Dairy Act both passed the House well before Crossover Day, meaning they are still eligible for full passage. Members of the Georgia General Assembly began their Crossover Day with a treat as the Georgia Cattlemen's Association provided steak biscuits and milk to legislators as they entered the Capitol for one of the longest days of the legislative session.

On Thursday, the Senate passed HB 304 which would suspend Georgia’s gas tax until the end of May. Having already passed the House, the bill is now on its way to the Governor’s Desk where it will be signed into law.

As we move into the final days of the 2022 legislative session, the pace is expected to pick up as both chambers begin to pass bills that crossed over before the Day 28 deadline. GFB staff continues to be present each day at the State Capitol to continue advocating for the issues important to our members and to help push our priority issues across the finish line. Legislators will return to the Gold Dome on Monday, March 21st for Legislative Day 32.

Tuesday's Crossover Day festivities kicked off with the annual Steak Biscuit Day provided by the Georgia Cattlemen's Association. (Photo credit: Georgia House Photo)

SENATE AG COMMITTEE HEARS HB 1150, ESTABLISHES RAW MILK SUBCOMMITTEE

On Monday, the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, chaired by Senator Larry Walker (R-Perry), held a hearing on HB 1150, the Freedom to Farm Act. This GFB spotlight issue passed the House on March 3rd and is now continuing to make its way through the legislative process. While the majority of the committee spoke in favor of the bill, there were a few senators who brought up concerns related to misconceptions still being pushed by groups in opposition to HB 1150. These misconceptions deal mostly with the false notion that this bill is to benefit large corporate animal farming operations while in reality it simply seeks to protect those farmers in Georgia who are doing everything the right way. With 98% of Georgia’s farms being family owned and operated, HB 1150 was introduced to protect the families all across our state that grow the food and fiber we rely on daily. To view the hearing from Monday, click here, with Chairman Robert Dickey’s presentation of the bill starting at 17:40. The Senate Agriculture Committee is expected to have another hearing on this bill on Monday, March 21st where they will take public testimony.

The Senate Agriculture Committee also held a meeting on Thursday to take up a couple additional pieces of legislation. During the meeting, Chairman Larry Walker established a subcommittee to look at HB 1175, the Raw Dairy Act. The subcommittee is expected to meet on March 22nd and then report back to the full committee.

METAL THEFT BILL PASSES SENATE

As reported last week, SB 591, sponsored by Senator Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia), would amend Georgia’s metal theft laws to address issues facing secondary metal recyclers, while increasing penalties for thieves. This bill passed the Senate on Tuesday with a vote of Y:46 to N:3. It now makes its way to the House where it has been assigned to the Judiciary Non-Civil Committee. The legislation would allow for limited cash payment by secondary metal recyclers (up to $100) for deposits excluding higher priced and more enticing to steal items such as utility wire, communications copper, copper wire, batteries, or catalytic converters. Current law requires metal recyclers to pay for all metal material via a check, electronic funds transfer, or a voucher. The bill also enhances the penalty for criminals so any theft that results in over $1,500 of property damage in the taking is a felony. We appreciate Senator Hatchett working with GFB and other interested groups to find a solution that balances deterrence of metal theft with the requests of secondary metal recyclers.

Sen. Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia), sponsored Senate Bill 591, which passed the Senate on Tuesday. (Photo credit: Georgia House Photo)

SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT PASSES U.S. SENATE

Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act, sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL). The Sunshine Protection Act, if adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives and signed into law by President Biden, would make daylight saving time permanent nationwide, putting a stop to clocks "springing forward" and "falling back" each year. 

If passed by the House and signed by the president, the bill would move forward by one hour what is currently considered standard time by the federal government, beginning in November 2023. It would allow states that had previously chosen to move to year-round daylight time, either through legislation or voter approval, to make that change. However, because the bill also repeals the section of federal law that changes standard time to daylight time from March to November, states would be forced to choose to operate either on standard or daylight year-round, without the ability to change back during the winter. States that currently remain on standard time year-round would be allowed to continue. 

Daylight Saving Time proved to be a contentious issue during last year's legislative session, seeing bills in both the House and the Senate. On the final day of the 2021 session, the Georgia State Senate agreed to the House's amended SB 100, sending it to the Governor's desk for a signature. Governor Kemp signed Senate Bill 100 into law last April, however the state will continue to change its clocks twice a year - once in the spring and once in the fall - until Congress authorizes states to observe Daylight Saving Time year-round, at which point it will observe Daylight Saving Time indefinitely.

CONTRIBUTE TO THE GFB STATE IMPACT FUND

On December 7, 2021, after nearly two years of diligent evaluation and consideration, voting delegates at the 2021 Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Annual Meeting unanimously endorsed the creation of the GFB Impact Fund, a political action committee (PAC), to advocate on behalf of agriculture, farmers, and our rural communities. 

With election season on the horizon, it is vital that we work to get our PAC up and running as quickly as possible. Support for the GFB State Impact Fund can come from county Farm Bureaus, GFB members, local farm businesses, and others who share our mission. This additional tool will allow us to support the candidacies and elections of qualified individuals to public office who have demonstrated a commitment to furthering and strengthening the agricultural industry, regardless of political affiliation. With your support, we can ensure your voice has a seat at the table to protect agriculture for the next generation.

Each contribution to the GFB State Impact Fund is voluntary and will support candidates who support agriculture and Georgia Farm Bureau values. To learn more about the GFB Impact Fund, please contact Katie Duvall.

To contribute to the GFB State Impact Fund, please return your check and this form to:

GFB State Impact Fund
Attn: Katie Duvall
1620 Bass Road
Macon, GA 31210

*All contributions are solely voluntary and not tax deductible. Each contribution must be accompanied by the contribution form to be accepted.

BILLS THAT CROSSED OVER

To find more on a specific bill, visit the Georgia General Assembly website and use the "Search Legislation" tool at the top right.

HB 44:
Reps. Cantrell, Greene, Barr, Werkheiser, Gambill, and Williams
This bill would require Georgia to observe Daylight Savings Time year-round. This will only become effective if Congress authorizes states to observe daylight savings time year-round.
House Passed/Adopted on 3/5/2021. Assigned to Senate Rules Committee on 1/10/2022.

HB 500:
Reps. Burchett, Blackmon, Dickey, Rhodes, and Watson
The Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act, established in 2017, provides a system of non-traditional loans for rural businesses to

HB 44:
Reps. Cantrell, Greene, Barr, Werkheiser, Gambill, and Williams
This bill would require Georgia to observe Daylight Savings Time year-round. This will only become effective if Congress authorizes states to observe daylight savings time year-round.
House Passed/Adopted on 3/5/2021. Assigned to Senate Rules Committee on 1/10/2022.

HB 500:
Reps. Burchett, Blackmon, Dickey, Rhodes, and Watson
The Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act, established in 2017, provides a system of non-traditional loans for rural businesses to encourage economic growth and jobs. This legislation would provide the second round of funding, in the amount of $100 million, to replenish the program.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 2/22/2022. Assigned to Senate Finance Committee on 2/24/2022.

HB 997:
Reps. Watson, England, Burns, Buckner, Hatchett, and others
This proposal would provide for a statewide constitutional referendum and question on the 2022 ballot to allow for an ad-valorem tax exemption on timber equipment and products. Equipment that would be exempt under this bill includes logging equipment such as wood cutters, loaders, bulldozers, skid steers, etc. Also included in the exemption would be timber products such as trees and other wood fiber products.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/15/2022. Assigned to Senate Finance Committee on 3/16/2022.

HB 1041:
Reps. Pirkle, Jasperse, Watson, England, Corbett, and others
This legislation increases the available tax credits for contributions to rural hospitals from $65 to $75 million per year.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/11/2022. Assigned to Senate Finance Committee on 3/16/2022.

HB 1055:
Reps. Ridley, Corbett, Barton, and Anderson
This bill would amend the definition of “all-terrain vehicle” by increasing the maximum weight to from 2500 lbs to 3500 lbs.
House Passed/Adopted on 2/07/2022. Referred to Senate Transportation Committee on 2/08/2022.

HB 1147:
Reps. Rhodes, Corbett, LaHood, Ridley, and Smith
This bill would authorize the hunting and trapping of raccoons and opossum year round.
House Passed/Adopted on 2/15/2022. Assigned to Senate Natural Resources & Environment Committee on 2/17/2022.

HB 1150:
Reps. Dickey, Watson, England, Jasperse, and Pirkle
Also known as the Freedom to Farm Act, HB 1150, addresses ambiguity in Georgia’s current Right to Farm statute and seeks to protect farmers from frivolous nuisance claims brought by those who do not like the inherent aspects of agriculture. With Georgia’s number one economic driver being agriculture, there is a vested interest in protecting the families and businesses that provide all of our food and fiber. There has been an increase in the number of nuisance claims brought against Georgia farms due to recent federal court precedent that turns current Right to Farm law on its head. This bill would allow for a farm to have certainty after a period of time, as long as they are operating within the law and according to all rules and regulations, that they will be protected from unnecessary nuisance lawsuits.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/3/2022. Assigned to Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/4/2022.

HB 1175:
Reps. Pirkle, Camp, Campbell, and Jenkins
This proposal comes out of a summer study committee consisting of members from the House Agriculture Committee. Chaired by Rep. Clay Pirkle, the committee looked into the issue of legalizing the sale of raw milk for human consumption. With the technological advancements in the dairy industry that provide for a very consistently safe product, many believed there was a way to produce raw (unpasteurized) milk that would be safe for human consumption. Many in the dairy industry, especially smaller producers, have been seeking a way to increase their already slim margins with a product like raw milk that brings a premium price due and has an increasing consumer demand. This bill would allow for the legal sale of raw milk for human consumption under a set of specific rules and regulations that seek to ensure a safe product.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/3/2022. Assigned to Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/4/2022.

HB 1292:
Reps. Jasperse, Mathis, Erwin, England, and Pirkle
This bill would prohibit any student who is participating in a 4-H sponsored activity or program from being counted as absent at school.
House Passed/Adopted on 3/1/2022. Assigned to Senate Education and Youth Committee on 3/3/2022.

HB 1303:
Reps. Dickey, England, Pirkle, Erwin, Bentley and others
This bill would transition a pilot program that has been in place for elementary agricultural education to an ongoing and permanent program. It would also require schools to hire an elementary agricultural education teacher to administer the program.
House Passed/Adopted on 3/1/2022. Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute on 3/15/2022.

HB 1371:
Reps. Jasperse, Watson, Corbett, England, and Campbell
This bill would establish the Rural Health Advancement Commission to address healthcare workforce shortages in rural areas of Georgia. The commission would be made up of 13 members from all across the medical field that will explore the issue and deliver an annual report.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/9/2022. Assigned to Senate Government Oversight Committee on 3/11/2022.

HB 1384:
Reps. Jenkins, Camp, Greene, Jasperse, and Knight
This proposal would allow for the use of ungraded lumber in the construction or repair of any uninhabited structure on property zoned for residential or agricultural use.
House Passed/Adopted on 3/11/2022. Assigned to Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/15/2022.

HB 1443:
Reps. Gaines, Wiedower, Gambill, Hagan, Cameron, and others
This bill would require that a mobile food service establishment permit be recognized in all counties while still being subject to local ordinances and the county’s board of health.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/15/2022. Assigned to Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/16/2022.

HB 1479:
Reps. Corbett, Watson, Houston, Burns, and Dickey
This bill would make the State Board of Registration for Foresters an independent state agency and attach it to the State Forestry Commission for administrative purposes. The members of the board would be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/15/2022. Assigned to Senate Government Oversight Committee on 3/16/2022.

HB 1496:
Reps. Gullett, Rich, Anderson, Dickey, Gaines, and others
This bill would provide that a local sheriff’s department could donate a single livestock animal that has been impounded to an animal rescue organization after due notice has been given. This bill comes in response to an issue with pot belly pigs getting lose and there being no market for the impounded animals to be sold at, leaving only the option of euthanization. The committee substitute fixed some potential unintended consequences of trying to solve a pot belly pig problem with legislation that would be widely applied to all livestock animals.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/15/2022. Assigned to Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs on 3/16/2022.

HB 1528:
Reps. Momtahan, Barton, Corbett, Pirkle, Cheokas, and others
This bill would prohibit anyone other than a licensed secondary metal recycler from purchasing or soliciting for purchase a used or detached catalytic converter. It would also prohibit anyone from possessing, transporting, or selling a detached catalytic converter unless they have the proper licenses and documentation required. Any detached catalytic converter found in possession of someone without the proper documentation will be considered contraband and be subject to forfeiture.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/15/2022. Assigned to Senate Judiciary Committee on 3/16/2022.

HR 686:
Reps. Watson, Burns, Buckner, Corbett, and Hatchett
This resolution proposes an amendment to the state constitution that would reduce the rate of ad-valorem tax assessment on timber at the time of sale or harvest. The proposal would require that the state appropriate funds annually to each county or municipality to compensate for any loss in revenue.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/15/2022. Assigned to Senate Finance Committee on 3/16/2022.

HR 880:
Reps. Schofield, Smith, Thomas, Kirby, and Scott
This resolution encourages support of urban farming by local governments.
Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/3/2022.

HR 916:
Reps. Dukes, Williams, Thomas, Wilkerson, Jackson, and others
This resolution would establish the Joint Study Committee for the Expansion and National Competitiveness of Georgia Agriculture made up of members from the Georgia State Senate and House of Representatives. The study committee would look at ways to become a national leader and increase Georgia’s market share in a variety of agricultural crops and sectors.
Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/8/2022.

HR 943:
Reps. Bennett, Beverly, Wilkerson, Schofield, Hawkins, and others
This resolution would create the House Healthy Food Retail Study Committee to investigate the availability of and access to fresh, healthy food in certain rural and urban areas in Georgia.
Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/9/2022.

SB 396:
Sens. Goodman, Jones II, Walker III, Harper, Sims and others
This bill seeks to create the Georgia Farm to Foodbank (F2FB) Program by changing the Georgia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This initiative is a Governor’s priority and included in his budget proposal is $800,000 to fund the program. The funds will be used for grants to provide Georgia Grown products straight from producers to regional foodbanks that will be able to use that food to feed those who need food assistance. The program will be administered by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and they will submit an annual report that contains information on where the food came from and where it went.
Senate Passed/Adopted on 2/11/2022. House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee Favorably Reported on 2/24/2022.

SB 474:
Sens. Summers, Walker III, Harper, Goodman, Anderson
This legislation seeks to amend the state constitution and allow for an ad-valorem tax exemption on aircraft used for the aerial application of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, seeds, or any other agricultural product that would normally be used in an agricultural operation and can be applied by aerial application.
Senate Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/15/2022. Assigned to House Ways & Means Committee on 3/16/2022.

SB 486:
Sens. Harper, Walker III, Anderson, Sims, Goodman
Last year GFB worked with Sen. Lee Anderson (R-Grovetown) to pass SB 247, which modernized the procedures for Commodity Commissions to serve notices, hold public hearings, and vote to better utilize commission funds and more effectively reach producers. This bill would provide for the same modernization and updates to the propane commodity commission.
Senate Passed/Adopted on 3/4/2022. Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/8/2022.

SB 537:
Sens. Jones II, Goodman, Jackson, Sims, Rhett and others
This bipartisan bill would establish the “Georgia Food Security Advisory Council” made up of 23 members ranging from the Commissioner of Agriculture to representatives from the public health community. One member would be a Georgia farmer appointed by the Majority Leader of the senate in consultation with the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. This council would make recommendations that seek to end food insecurity in Georgia.
Senate Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/15/2022. Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/16/2022.

SB 591:
Sens. Hatchett and Ginn
This proposal would amend current metal theft law to generally allow for cash payments (up to $100) at secondary metal recyclers for deposits excluding utility wire, communications copper, copper wire, batteries, or catalytic converters. Under current law, recyclers may only pay using a check, electronic funds transfer, or a voucher as a proven method of curbing metal theft in our state. We greatly appreciate the bill sponsor, Sen. Bo Hatchett, for working to find a balance between deterrence of widespread metal theft while still allowing for a business-friendly environment. Hatchett incorporated numerous aspects in the bill to avoid a resurgence of metal theft including: maintaining extensive deposit records and documentation of personal identification of customers; a two-year repeal of this bill, unless extended by the legislature because no increased instances of theft are seen; and enhanced penalties by making it a felony if metal theft results in property damage above $1,500.
Senate Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/15/2022. Assigned to House Judiciary Non-Civil on 3/16/2022.

SR 737:
Sens. Summers, Tillery, Kennedy, Mullis, Sims and others
This resolution is to recognize and commend Representative Terry England on his outstanding public service. Earlier this year, longtime Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and strong advocate of Georgia agriculture announced his plans to retire after this term.
Senate Read and Adopted on 3/16/2022.

HB 997:
Reps. Watson, England, Burns, Buckner, Hatchett, and others
This proposal would provide for a statewide constitutional referendum and question on the 2022 ballot to allow for an ad-valorem tax exemption on timber equipment and products. Equipment that would be exempt under this bill includes logging equipment such as wood cutters, loaders, bulldozers, skid steers, etc. Also included in the exemption would be timber products such as trees and other wood fiber products.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/15/2022. Assigned to Senate Finance Committee on 3/16/2022.

HB 1041:
Reps. Pirkle, Jasperse, Watson, England, Corbett, and others
This legislation increases the available tax credits for contributions to rural hospitals from $65 to $75 million per year.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/11/2022. Assigned to Senate Finance Committee on 3/16/2022.

HB 1055:
Reps. Ridley, Corbett, Barton, and Anderson
This bill would amend the definition of “all-terrain vehicle” by increasing the maximum weight to from 2500 lbs to 3500 lbs.
House Passed/Adopted on 2/07/2022. Referred to Senate Transportation Committee on 2/08/2022.

HB 1147:
Reps. Rhodes, Corbett, LaHood, Ridley, and Smith
This bill would authorize the hunting and trapping of raccoons and opossum year round.
House Passed/Adopted on 2/15/2022. Assigned to Senate Natural Resources & Environment Committee on 2/17/2022.

HB 1150:
Reps. Dickey, Watson, England, Jasperse, and Pirkle
Also known as the Freedom to Farm Act, HB 1150, addresses ambiguity in Georgia’s current Right to Farm statute and seeks to protect farmers from frivolous nuisance claims brought by those who do not like the inherent aspects of agriculture. With Georgia’s number one economic driver being agriculture, there is a vested interest in protecting the families and businesses that provide all of our food and fiber. There has been an increase in the number of nuisance claims brought against Georgia farms due to recent federal court precedent that turns current Right to Farm law on its head. This bill would allow for a farm to have certainty after a period of time, as long as they are operating within the law and according to all rules and regulations, that they will be protected from unnecessary nuisance lawsuits.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/3/2022. Assigned to Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/4/2022.

HB 1175:
Reps. Pirkle, Camp, Campbell, and Jenkins
This proposal comes out of a summer study committee consisting of members from the House Agriculture Committee. Chaired by Rep. Clay Pirkle, the committee looked into the issue of legalizing the sale of raw milk for human consumption. With the technological advancements in the dairy industry that provide for a very consistently safe product, many believed there was a way to produce raw (unpasteurized) milk that would be safe for human consumption. Many in the dairy industry, especially smaller producers, have been seeking a way to increase their already slim margins with a product like raw milk that brings a premium price due and has an increasing consumer demand. This bill would allow for the legal sale of raw milk for human consumption under a set of specific rules and regulations that seek to ensure a safe product.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/3/2022. Assigned to Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/4/2022.

HB 1292:
Reps. Jasperse, Mathis, Erwin, England, and Pirkle
This bill would prohibit any student who is participating in a 4-H sponsored activity or program from being counted as absent at school.
House Passed/Adopted on 3/1/2022. Assigned to Senate Education and Youth Committee on 3/3/2022.

HB 1303:
Reps. Dickey, England, Pirkle, Erwin, Bentley and others
This bill would transition a pilot program that has been in place for elementary agricultural education to an ongoing and permanent program. It would also require schools to hire an elementary agricultural education teacher to administer the program.
House Passed/Adopted on 3/1/2022. Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute on 3/15/2022.

HB 1371:
Reps. Jasperse, Watson, Corbett, England, and Campbell
This bill would establish the Rural Health Advancement Commission to address healthcare workforce shortages in rural areas of Georgia. The commission would be made up of 13 members from all across the medical field that will explore the issue and deliver an annual report.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/9/2022. Assigned to Senate Government Oversight Committee on 3/11/2022.

HB 1384:
Reps. Jenkins, Camp, Greene, Jasperse, and Knight
This proposal would allow for the use of ungraded lumber in the construction or repair of any uninhabited structure on property zoned for residential or agricultural use.
House Passed/Adopted on 3/11/2022. Assigned to Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/15/2022.

HB 1443:
Reps. Gaines, Wiedower, Gambill, Hagan, Cameron, and others
This bill would require that a mobile food service establishment permit be recognized in all counties while still being subject to local ordinances and the county’s board of health.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/15/2022. Assigned to Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/16/2022.

HB 1479:
Reps. Corbett, Watson, Houston, Burns, and Dickey
This bill would make the State Board of Registration for Foresters an independent state agency and attach it to the State Forestry Commission for administrative purposes. The members of the board would be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/15/2022. Assigned to Senate Government Oversight Committee on 3/16/2022.

HB 1496:
Reps. Gullett, Rich, Anderson, Dickey, Gaines, and others
This bill would provide that a local sheriff’s department could donate a single livestock animal that has been impounded to an animal rescue organization after due notice has been given. This bill comes in response to an issue with pot belly pigs getting lose and there being no market for the impounded animals to be sold at, leaving only the option of euthanization. The committee substitute fixed some potential unintended consequences of trying to solve a pot belly pig problem with legislation that would be widely applied to all livestock animals.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/15/2022. Assigned to Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs on 3/16/2022.

HB 1528:
Reps. Momtahan, Barton, Corbett, Pirkle, Cheokas, and others
This bill would prohibit anyone other than a licensed secondary metal recycler from purchasing or soliciting for purchase a used or detached catalytic converter. It would also prohibit anyone from possessing, transporting, or selling a detached catalytic converter unless they have the proper licenses and documentation required. Any detached catalytic converter found in possession of someone without the proper documentation will be considered contraband and be subject to forfeiture.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/15/2022. Assigned to Senate Judiciary Committee on 3/16/2022.

HR 686:
Reps. Watson, Burns, Buckner, Corbett, and Hatchett
This resolution proposes an amendment to the state constitution that would reduce the rate of ad-valorem tax assessment on timber at the time of sale or harvest. The proposal would require that the state appropriate funds annually to each county or municipality to compensate for any loss in revenue.
House Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/15/2022. Assigned to Senate Finance Committee on 3/16/2022.

HR 880:
Reps. Schofield, Smith, Thomas, Kirby, and Scott
This resolution encourages support of urban farming by local governments.
Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/3/2022.

HR 916:
Reps. Dukes, Williams, Thomas, Wilkerson, Jackson, and others
This resolution would establish the Joint Study Committee for the Expansion and National Competitiveness of Georgia Agriculture made up of members from the Georgia State Senate and House of Representatives. The study committee would look at ways to become a national leader and increase Georgia’s market share in a variety of agricultural crops and sectors.
Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/8/2022.

HR 943:
Reps. Bennett, Beverly, Wilkerson, Schofield, Hawkins, and others
This resolution would create the House Healthy Food Retail Study Committee to investigate the availability of and access to fresh, healthy food in certain rural and urban areas in Georgia.
Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/9/2022.

SB 396:
Sens. Goodman, Jones II, Walker III, Harper, Sims and others
This bill seeks to create the Georgia Farm to Foodbank (F2FB) Program by changing the Georgia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This initiative is a Governor’s priority and included in his budget proposal is $800,000 to fund the program. The funds will be used for grants to provide Georgia Grown products straight from producers to regional foodbanks that will be able to use that food to feed those who need food assistance. The program will be administered by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and they will submit an annual report that contains information on where the food came from and where it went.
Senate Passed/Adopted on 2/11/2022. House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee Favorably Reported on 2/24/2022.

SB 474:
Sens. Summers, Walker III, Harper, Goodman, Anderson
This legislation seeks to amend the state constitution and allow for an ad-valorem tax exemption on aircraft used for the aerial application of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, seeds, or any other agricultural product that would normally be used in an agricultural operation and can be applied by aerial application.
Senate Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/15/2022. Assigned to House Ways & Means Committee on 3/16/2022.

SB 486:
Sens. Harper, Walker III, Anderson, Sims, Goodman
Last year GFB worked with Sen. Lee Anderson (R-Grovetown) to pass SB 247, which modernized the procedures for Commodity Commissions to serve notices, hold public hearings, and vote to better utilize commission funds and more effectively reach producers. This bill would provide for the same modernization and updates to the propane commodity commission.
Senate Passed/Adopted on 3/4/2022. Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/8/2022.

SB 537:
Sens. Jones II, Goodman, Jackson, Sims, Rhett and others
This bipartisan bill would establish the “Georgia Food Security Advisory Council” made up of 23 members ranging from the Commissioner of Agriculture to representatives from the public health community. One member would be a Georgia farmer appointed by the Majority Leader of the senate in consultation with the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. This council would make recommendations that seek to end food insecurity in Georgia.
Senate Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/15/2022. Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/16/2022.

SB 591:
Sens. Hatchett and Ginn
This proposal would amend current metal theft law to generally allow for cash payments (up to $100) at secondary metal recyclers for deposits excluding utility wire, communications copper, copper wire, batteries, or catalytic converters. Under current law, recyclers may only pay using a check, electronic funds transfer, or a voucher as a proven method of curbing metal theft in our state. We greatly appreciate the bill sponsor, Sen. Bo Hatchett, for working to find a balance between deterrence of widespread metal theft while still allowing for a business-friendly environment. Hatchett incorporated numerous aspects in the bill to avoid a resurgence of metal theft including: maintaining extensive deposit records and documentation of personal identification of customers; a two-year repeal of this bill, unless extended by the legislature because no increased instances of theft are seen; and enhanced penalties by making it a felony if metal theft results in property damage above $1,500.
Senate Passed/Adopted by Substitute on 3/15/2022. Assigned to House Judiciary Non-Civil on 3/16/2022.

SR 737:
Sens. Summers, Tillery, Kennedy, Mullis, Sims and others
This resolution is to recognize and commend Representative Terry England on his outstanding public service. Earlier this year, longtime Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and strong advocate of Georgia agriculture announced his plans to retire after this term.
Senate Read and Adopted on 3/16/2022.

BILLS THAT DID NOT CROSSOVER

To find more on a specific bill, visit the Georgia General Assembly website and use the "Search Legislation" tool at the top right.

HB 139:
Reps. Mainor, Dukes, McClain, Mallow, and Thomas
This bill would prohibit trains from blocking any traffic crossing for longer than 15 minutes (with exceptions for safety reasons), and also require signage at crossings providing a telephone number to report such instances.
Assigned to House Transportation Committee on 1/28/2021.

HB 482:
Reps. Lim and Holcomb
This bill would provide a preferential tax rate program that seeks to promote urban agriculture as well as provide for urban agricultural incentive zones that would be located in areas with a 15% or greater poverty rate. The program includes restrictions for properties that enter a contract such as being at least .10 acres but not more than 5 acres and for an initial term of at least 5 years. This bill is the enabling legislation for HR 164 that would put this change on the ballot in 2022 as a constitutional amendment.
Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee on 2/17/2021.

HB 496:
Reps. Burchett, Burns, Rhodes, Ridley, and Williams
This bill seeks to create a $1,000 Annual Forest Product Permit, issuable by the Department of Transportation, allowing vehicles hauling timber up to a gross weight of 95,000, up to 10 feet wide, and no more than 100 feet long.
Assigned to House Transportation Committee on 2/18/2021.

HB 504:
Reps. Williamson, Reeves, Burns, Knight, Blackmon, and Lott
Similar to HB 500, this legislation provides a second round of funding for the Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act in the amount of $100 million. However, the bill goes on to create a new NAICS code and tax program for medical equipment and supplies manufacturers. Additionally, this bill goes on to address other tax credit programs dealing with high-impact aerospace defense projects, Georgia ports, and railroads.
Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee on 2/18/2021.

HB 608:
Reps. Wiedower, Burns, Smyre, Parsons, and Kelley
In an effort to enhance the expansion of broadband to unserved areas, this legislation authorizes the use of OneGeorgia funds to award contracts to qualified providers under the Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative.
Assigned to House Governmental Affairs Committee on 2/24/2021.

HB 976:
Reps. Schofield, Jackson, Scott, Buckner, Bentley, and others
This bill seeks to establish a “Black Farmer Restoration Office” to support current Black farmers and to encourage the growth of Black farmers into the field of agriculture. It also would establish a “Farm Conservation Corps” to provide on-farm apprenticeships to those between the ages of 18 and 29 from socially disadvantaged groups. According to the proposal, farms offering the apprenticeship must have a gross annual income of less than $250,000 and be owned by a social disadvantaged farmer, a beginning farmer, or a certified organic farmer.
Assigned to House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee on 1/25/2022.

HB 978:
Reps. Smith, Stephens, England, Greene, and Dempsey 
This bill would require the board of tax assessors for a county that is declared a disaster area to conduct a full appraisal of all the properties located within the disaster area to determine if the current appraised value still reflects the value of the properties following the declared disaster. If it does not, the tax assessor must adjust the appraised value and notify the property owner.
Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee on 1/25/2022.

HB 1002:
Reps. Smith, Gambill, Williams, Scoggins, McDonald, and others
This bill would designate the opossum as the official state marsupial.
Assigned to House State Planning and Community Affairs Committee on 1/26/2022.

HB 1038:
Reps. Cooper, Jasperse, Corbett, Watson, and England
In recent years, the General Assembly has focused on bolstering availability of rural healthcare. This bill would expand the eligibility of an existing state income tax credit currently limited to physicians practicing in rural areas (<50,000) to also include dentists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee on 1/27/2022.

HB 1176:
Reps. Pirkle and Clark
This bill pertains to the right of those to maintain and repair their own personal property, whether it be a cell phone or agricultural equipment. Although this would apply to many consumer items, it is increasingly important for the agricultural sector. Farm equipment is now reliant on computer systems, and technological barriers placed in the software and codes of equipment are only accessible to the manufacturer and dealers. Currently, farmers must rely on dealers for repairs to their tractors and equipment due to these stop-guards which render equipment useless unless parts and repairs are done by an authorized dealer technician.

Without third-party access to the necessary tools and software, farmers are beholden to the prices and schedules of manufacturers. Farmers already face historically high costs to purchase equipment, and with the consolidation of many dealers they must also face high prices for dealer technicians to travel long distances to the farm to make repairs—an issue that could be addressed with third-party solutions. This legislation would require that manufacturers make available to independent service providers or owners of the equipment, at a fair and reasonable cost, the tools, parts, and manuals necessary to work on their own equipment.
Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 2/03/2022.

HB 1301:
Reps. Hogan, Watson, Gambill, Bentley, Meeks, and others
This bill would prohibit local governments from differentiating the use of, standards, or treatment of  gas powered leaf blowers from any other such equipment. It would not however, restrict a county from promoting the use of alternatively powered leaf blowers.  
House Governmental Affairs Committee Favorably Reported on 2/24/2022.

HB 1309:
Reps. Thomas, Schofield, Lim, and Lewis-Ward
Also known as the Georgia Urban Farming Youth Initiative Act, HB 1309 would create a pilot program through UGA's Cooperative Extension Service to promote farming and the efficient use of land in urban counties (with a population of 150,000+); educate program participants on all aspects of farming in an urban environment and encourage other members of the community to begin and to continue farming; and provide a sufficient understanding of farming operations so as to facilitate the ability of graduating participants to obtain Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption (GATE) identification numbers and subsequently operate successful, small-scale farms within their communities.
Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 2/11/2022.

HB 1450:
Reps. Rich, Tankersley, Camp, Hagan, Oliver, and others
This bill titled “The Georgia Safe Outdoor Dog Act” would put in place restrictions for how and where a dog may be kept when left unattended. It would make it illegal to leave a dog unattended without access to adequate food, shelter, and water and require the area where it is kept to be free of excess standing water or feces. It would also limit the types of restraints or tethers that could be used at any time. It does provide exemptions for times when a dog is directly participating in an agriculture, hunting, or other activities of recreational nature.
Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 2/28/2022.

HB 1451:
Reps. McLaurin and Gilligan
This proposal would eliminate the license or permit requirement to own an African Pygmy Hedgehog. This idea has been introduced in the past but presents multiple concerns regarding the spread of disease and the possible introduction of an invasive species into the wild.
Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 2/28/2022.

HB 1473:
Reps. Burchett, LaHood, Corbett, and Gambill
This bill would prohibit a train carrier from blocking a railroad crossing for longer than 15 minutes unless it is caused by a mechanical failure or accident. It would also impose a $500 monetary penalty per 5 minutes the train is blocking a crossing.
Assigned to House Transportation Committee on 3/1/2022.

HB 1521:
Reps. Momtahan, Clark, Corbett, Nix, Smith, and others
This bill would change the wildlife control permit to include the hunting of feral hogs on wildlife management areas during any season. It would also allow for feral hogs to be hunted in general year-round.
Assigned to House Game, FIsh & Parks Committee on 3/8/2022.

HB 1532:
Reps. Ridley, Gravley, Rhodes, and Corbett
This bill would make changes to Georgia’s hemp farming law to allow for the production and sale of hemp products such as food, cosmetics, clothes and more. Under current law, hemp oil is the only hemp product that can be produced and sold in Georgia. It would create both a retail and wholesale hemp food establishment license to be issued by the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Division at a price of $650 each. The bill would also lower the hemp processor permit from $25,000 to $650. To acquire a processor permit, one must also have acquired a surety bond. This bill would lower the minimum bond amount from $300,000 to $100,000.
Assigned to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/8/2022.

HB 1548:
Rep. Leverett
This proposal would prohibit the application of soil amendments for any purpose other than to foster the growth of crops unless the soil amendment is unadulterated, free of material that may create a significant odor, or are applied within a specific set of parameters surround the rate and frequency of application. The proposal would allow local government to have concurrent jurisdiction with the Department of Agriculture to enforce and investigate issues related to soil amendments. It would also establish a civil penalty of $5,000 for anyone in violation of regulations and laws surrounding the application of soil amendments.
Assigned to House Natural Resources & Environment Committee on 3/9/2022.

SB 30:
Sens. Beach and Harbison
Senate Bill 30 would provide for pari-mutuel horse racing in the state at a limited number of licensed equestrian centers, create the Georgia Horse Racing Commission, and provide for the comprehensive regulation of pari-mutuel horse racing and related activities.
Assigned to Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee on 1/28/2021.

SB 65:
Sens. Gooch, Miller, Cowsert, Tillery, Harper, and Hatchett
In a continued effort to expand broadband access to rural and un-served communities, this legislation allows the Public Service Commission and Department of Community Affairs to utilize a portion of the Universal Access Fund for such services.
Assigned to Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee on 2/2/2021.

SB 118:
Sens. Harper, Burke, Tillery, Goodman, Anderson, and Kennedy
SB 118 would increase truck weights for 6-axle timber haulers up to 100,000 lbs.
Assigned to Senate Transportation Committee on 2/10/2021.

SB 481:
Sens. Jackson, Harper, Mullis, Jones II, Summers
This bipartisan piece of legislation would amend the “Georgia Hemp Farming Act” to allow for someone convicted of a misdemeanor that involved the sale or trafficking of a controlled substance to still be permitted to grow hemp in Georgia. Under this proposal anyone convicted of a felony involving the sale or trafficking of a controlled substance would still be prohibited from obtaining a permit to grow hemp.
Senate Recommitted on 3/9/2022.

SB 578:
Sens. Walker III, Burns, Anderson, Burke and Summers
This bill would establish a “home kitchen operation” license to be issued by the Department of Agriculture. It would allow a “home kitchen operation” to prepare, pack, sell, and serve ready to eat foods directly to the consumer.
Assigned to Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/3/2022.

SB 604:
Sens. Mullis and Harper
This bill would remove the State Board of Veterinary Medicine from underneath the Secretary of State and put it under the Georgia Department of Agriculture for administrative purposes. It would also create an executive director position for the board who will serve as a full-time employee. This proposal is aimed at streamlining the licensing process for new veterinarians.
Assigned to Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee on 3/8/2022.

SB 614:
Sen. Mullis
This bill would specify that delta-8-THC derived from hemp would not be classified as marijuana in the state of Georgia. This would allow for the lawful production, possession, and sale of delta-8-THC derived from hemp.
Assigned to Senate Health & Human Services Committee on 3/15/2022.