Volume 34, No. 12 | March 29, 2024

Published by the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Inc. 

WEEKLY BRIEF

Sine Die! Legislators completed the 40-day Legislative Session around 1am last night (this morning). Many important issues were left on the table as long debates over political hot topics persisted and several lengthy debates ended with votes that could have been predicted without much talk.

Overall, agriculture and natural resource issues fared well, but not everything of interest made it across the finish line. This was the end of a two-year biennial so all bills will have to start over if they are pursued next year.

In this issue:

• Navigable Waters
• Timber Harvest Tax
• Foreign Owned Ag Land
• Food Animal Vet Loan Repayment Program
• 2024 Gene Sutherland Legislative Intern
• Budget
• Def in Gate Program
• Tort Reform
• News From Washington
• News From Ag Georgia Farm Credit
• Bill Tracker

**Inside Agriculture is a newsletter and member benefit for GAC members that highlights the action Under the Gold Dome each week throughout the legislative session. The updates are meant to keep GAC members informed, connected, and engaged in the legislative process. Please share with other leaders within your business who may find these updates helpful.**

NAVIGABLE WATER BILL GETS FINAL PASSAGE

One of the most important issues for agriculture and private property rights, HB 1172, passed the Senate on Tuesday with a 34 to 18 vote. This bill removes language related to the Public Trust Doctrine that was introduced in SB 115 last session, and it clarifies that the public’s right on navigable streams for passage, hunting, and fishing. While there were many concerns about the significant changes made to the state’s property and water rights during the 2023 session, the agribusiness community found the codification of the Public Trust Doctrine to be particularly problematic.



This bill was ultimately supported by the agriculture community at the Capitol and we would like to thank the extensive work by Whip James Burchett, Senator Sam Watson, Senate Pro Tem John Kennedy, and many others for their work on this vital update.

TIMBER HARVEST TAX REFORM CUT DOWN IN SENATE

The language that was formerly a part of HR 96, by Representative Noel Williams, was moved into SR 82 as a last-ditch effort to keep the timber harvest tax reform alive. Unfortunately, the resolution was shot down in the Senate by a vote of 26 to 26, well short of the 2/3rds vote that was required to pass a Constitutional Amendment. Several key players in the Senate had expressed concerns with the policy during two committee meetings and were able to defeat the effort by offering unfriendly amendments and drawing out debate towards the end of the night.

As previously noted, timber is currently the only agricultural or mining commodity in Georgia that is subject to a harvest tax. In addition, it is taxed based on 100% of its value, instead of 40% of its value like other real property.

HOUSE PASSES FOREIGN OWNERSHIP BILL

SB 420 was passed in the House on Tuesday. This Bill by Senator Jason Anavitarte, will prohibit agents of countries that are designated as adversaries to the United States from purchasing land around bases. The subject matter of this legislation has been a hot issue for many states around the country and Georgia is no different.

This particular language adds a retroactive piece to the bill which will force any person or entity that falls within the definition of an agent of an adversarial nation to either dispose of possessory interest or change their resident status within the next three years for land they already own.



The Governor's office has weighed in on parts of the legislation they believed to be problematic, but the bill passed with the Rules Committee amendment due to the late time frame in the session. This is most likely not the last time we will hear about this issue as it is widely expected to be headed toward a court battle as has been the case in other states.

VETERINARY LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM GETS CAUGHT UP IN THE SENATE

Every year a lot of good bills tend to get caught up at the end of session due to the high volume of legislation and limited amount of time. Unfortunately, HB 1274, which would’ve revamped the Veterinary Loan Repayment Program ended up getting caught in the traffic jam.

Carried by Representative David Huddleston, this bill would have been huge for rural communities and producers that rely on large food animal veterinarians. Aimed at current veterinary students or recent graduates, this bill looked to amend the program from an award that one would have to apply for annually to a one-time three-year program. This legislation would allow for each recipient to receive $25,000 per year, provided they practice veterinary medicine in a rural county with a population of 50,000 or less. 

On a positive note, there seemed to be no opposition to the bill and additional money was added to the program in preparation for the passage of the legislation. While this session is officially over, we are already working to get this on the docket for next year and working different angles to try and see what can be done in the offseason to benefit the existing program. 

2024 GENE SUTHERLAND LEGISLATIVE INTERN

Every session we have the great opportunity to partner with the UGA CAES for a legislative internship. This year, Anna Clifton who is currently a Sophomore at the University of Georgia spent her days underneath the Gold Dome working and learning how the legislative process works. Anna is Majoring in Agricultural and Applied Economics and Agribusiness and intends to go to law school after graduation. Anna has an extremely bright future and we are thankful for all of the work that she put in over the last three months. She has been an invaluable asset to GAC this session and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors.



The Gene Sutherland Legislative Internship has been a huge success for students who are in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences that have an interest in agriculture policy. If you have a student in mind who might be interested, please encourage them to apply for the internship.

FY25 BUDGET SENT BACK TO GOVERNOR

Lawmakers completed their only constitutional duty late on Thursday night by passing a $66.8 billion dollar budget with $36.1 billion of it being state money. This budget included a $2,500 raise for public school teachers which will boost average annual pay up above $65,000 annually. The spending plan also includes a 4% pay increase for State and University employees, while state law enforcement and child welfare workers will get an additional $3,000 on top of that. Additional education funding was found in the form of an increase for school buses and school security. The state also has many construction plans for the next few years which were appropriated $60 million, with the plan to fund these projects with cash from high state revenues rather than borrowing like they typically would. As always, we like to look at a few areas that pertain to agriculture and our industry and those can be seen below:

Georgia Department of Agriculture

• $2,133,856 to go into the Georgia Agricultural Trust Fund
• $900,000 was added for one-time funds for agricultural improvements
• $150,000 remains for Feral Hog Taskforce
• $267,861 to provide funds for two shellfish inspection and certification programs.

State Soil and Water Commission

• Removed the $72,000 that was added by the House for the Master Farmer Program

Georgia Department of Economic Development

• $200,000 increase in funds for contracts to support the global export of Georgia manufactured and agricultural products.

Environmental Protection Division of Dept. of Natural Resources

• $350,617 to increase funds for five additional positions to assist with agricultural water withdrawal permitting

Georgia State Finance and Investment Commission Capital Projects

• Includes $10.3 million for the purchase of agricultural education equipment statewide
• $4.4 million for Design and renovation of Dept. of Agriculture Building
• $22 million Georgia Agricultural Expo Construction of new goat, sheep, and swine barn

Student Finance Commission

• Included the additional $35,000 for the Veterinary Loan Repayment Program

Click HERE to see the full budget

DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) IN GATE PROGRAM

While most people thought DEF was already included, some retailers have refused to recognize DEF used for agriculture production as a part of the GATE tax exemption program. Rep. Joe Campbell worked to add clarity to the issue when he inserted language in SB 340 in the House Ways & Means Committee that would make it official.

DEF is Federally mandated in tier 4 engines. The bill received final passage.

TORT REFORM

As advertised, much of the legislative session was spent looking into tort reform. Following the announcement by Governor Kemp that they would be backing off in hopes of something next year, the business representatives still pushed hard for something to get done this year. Out of all of the bills that were introduced, it really came down to two issues on two pieces of legislation which aimed to look at Direct action and premises liability.

SB 426 received final passage and is now on the Governor's desk. This aims to eliminate the state’s direct-action law, which would put a limitation on plaintiff’s ability to sue motor carriers as well as the insurance company at the same time unless the company is in bankruptcy. 

The second issue was dealt with in HB 1371 which passed through the House and eventually got caught in the crowd at the finish line while trying to make it out of the Senate. This was aimed to look into what events or occurrences can a property owner be held liable for regarding things that happen on the property of a person or entity. Because this did not make it fully through the legislature, we fully expect the issue to be brought up again next year. 

Ag Leaders Comment on Farm Bill Timeline 

Beltway industry publication, Agri-Pulse, held its annual Ag and Food Policy Summit on Monday. 

Senate Agriculture Committee ranking member, John Boozman of Arkansas, insisted at the summit that he’s still focused on getting a farm bill passed this year. "If you talk to the average person in Congress, most members of Congress want to get the farm bill done on both sides."

But his predecessor, former Senate Ag Committee Chair Pat Roberts, R-Kan., doesn’t think there’s much chance of a bill passing this year. "It's unfortunate, but I think we're in a situation where the chances for a farm bill this year are slim to none. And slim just left town,” Roberts said in an interview on the sidelines of the Agri-Pulse summit.

Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow stressed the need to focus on coalition-building amongst farm bill stakeholders, stating, “What does not work is playing the politics of food assistance and nutrition against everything else in the farm bill. I will not have my legacy [be] cutting food assistance for Americans.” She also opposed “taking conservation money away from farmers.” 

Stabenow said there is broad agreement among committee leaders on eight of the 12 farm bill titles, but she has steadfastly opposed several GOP proposals to fund increases in commodity program reference prices.

Former Ag Secretary Dan Glickman, when asked about his “prognosis” for the farm bill, quipped, “My prognosis? My prognosis is take two Advil and go home and relax." In a straw poll, 81% of summit attendees said they did not expect a farm bill to be enacted this year.

House Ag Committee Discusses 'Danger' from China

The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing this week titled The Danger China Poses to American Agriculture. It stretched on for more than four hours. 

In his opening statement, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., said, “The fact China imports almost as much food as the U.S. exports to the whole world makes this conversation more difficult. In recent years, the U.S. has seen record export values to China for soybeans, corn, beef, chicken meat, tree nuts, and sorghum, all of which are major contributors to our domestic farm economy, underscoring the importance of expanded market access and market diversity elsewhere.

Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., ranking member on the committee, countered, “Unfortunately, some of the rhetoric surrounding this topic may derail us from tackling the real issues at hand and may contribute to violence against Asian-Americans. I want all Americans to know that we on the Agriculture Committee condemn all bigotry, including race-motivated threats and acts of violence. This is about agricultural policy, not people policy.”

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem told lawmakers her state's agriculture department was contacted by Chinese Nationals looking to tour farms. She said the department declined the meetings and was later contacted by the State Department, who warned it that those individuals were actually Chinese spies.

"They were there to steal our intellectual property, to steal our genetics and [the State Department] wanted to debrief us if we had met with them," Noem said. "Thank God we did not."

House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Chair Mike Gallagher, R-Wisc., called for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S.'s (CIFUS) authorities to be expanded when it comes to reviewing land and advocated for giving CFIUS jurisdiction over all agricultural land purchases by foreign investors.

But Rep. Gallagher’s counterpart on the Select Committee, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illi., warned lawmakers against crafting bills that resemble the "alien land laws" that prevented Chinese and Japanese immigrants from purchasing land in more than a dozen states in the early 20th century.

Kip Tom, a former U.S. ambassador to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture, warned lawmakers that the U.S. is overly dependent on China for components of crop protection products and nutrients. If China were to shut off those supplies, “the economic impact to farmers, consumers and our nation would have devastating consequences,” he said. “This would lead to higher consumer prices and food insecurity in the United States and around the world. This is a national security threat to the United States and our allies."

American Soybean Association President Josh Gackle urged lawmakers not to approve any bill to repeal or modify China's Permanent Normal Trade Relations Status, which he warned could "immediately raise tariffs on imports from China."

House Ag Approps Committee Grills Vilsack 

Members of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee hosted Secretary Tom Vilsack for a hearing on Thursday. He was questioned on President Biden’s fiscal year 2025 budget request for USDA.

Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., accused Vilsack of employing the CCC account as a “slush fund” and questioned his legal authority to use it to help growers challenged by a drop in commodity prices while input costs remain elevated.

The Secretary retorted, “I never suggested, nor did I ever say, that we will be using the CCC outside of the scope of farm bill discussions and negotiations. What I did say was in order for us to have a farm bill, it's going to be necessary for members of the committees to be creative in how they can use the resources within the CCC at their instruction and direction to be able to provide the relief and assistance they're looking for.”

Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Ga., the ranking member on the subcommittee, said peanut and cotton farmers in his district say they are in economic difficulty, and asked Vilsack about making a special payment to them to provide help until the next farm bill is passed.

Bishop noted that such a payment was made to rice growers, but Vilsack noted that to make the $250 million payment to rice growers “we had to give up something,” and asked Bishop what he would give up to make that payment.

Asked by Rep. Barbara Lee, R-Calif., about agriculture sales to Cuba, Vilsack said the market is constrained by the provision in the law that requires Cuba to pay cash in advance in dollars for its purchases.



Most questions directed at the Secretary, however, focused on federal nutrition programs. 

AG GEORGIA FARM CREDIT ISSUING $14MILLION REFUND TO BORROWERS

Perry, Ga. (March 25, 2024) – AgGeorgia Farm Credit is pleased to announce that dividends totaling $14,482,000 have been declared by its board of directors, marking 36 consecutive years that profits have been returned to member-borrowers. AgGeorgia’s Patronage Refund Program has now paid out over $464 million in cash over that span.

The cooperative broke records in 2023 in multiple financial performance categories. “Our remarkable membership and staff did it again, with new highs for total assets, loans, stockholder equity, and asset quality,” noted AgGeorgia CEO Rob Crain. “The resulting earnings enable us to safely distribute these profits to member-borrowers, allowing them to pay down debt or invest as they choose.”

Glee Smith, Chair of AgGeorgia’s Board of Directors, added that the effects of the refunds are substantial for her community. “The majority of this distribution goes to members in rural areas where the impact is proportionately greater,” said Ms. Smith. “As a resident of a small town [Warrenton, Ga.], it is great to know that we are not only helping our borrowers, but also helping to stimulate our local economy.”

The refund, from 2023 earnings, lowers the average member’s stated rate by 1%. All of the distribution is in cash, as opposed to 2021 and years prior, when refunds were divided between cash and surplus to be paid years later. Members who have previously signed up for ACH/direct deposit can expect their portion to be deposited by the first week of April. Those who have not can expect a check to be mailed that same week.

About AgGeorgia Farm Credit

AgGeorgia Farm Credit is an agricultural lending cooperative owned by over 5,000 member-borrowers, with a mission to improve the lives of Georgia’s farmers, families and rural communities. AgGeorgia provides farm loans for land, equipment, livestock and production; rural home mortgages, and services such as crop insurance and leasing. AgGeorgia Farm Credit has 16 branches serving 79 counties in Georgia. It is part of the national Farm Credit System, a network of financial cooperatives established in 1916 to provide a dependable source of credit to farmers and rural America. For more information, visit www.aggeorgia.com.

PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS

SB 352 – Senators Anderson, Albers, Robertson, Williams, and Payne

A bill to provide standards for the alteration and operation of motor vehicles with modified suspension systems.

Status – Passed the Senate by a vote of 41-9 on 1/30/24. Passed the House by a vote of 136-33 on 3/7/24.

SB 353 – Senators Dolezal and Dixon

A bill to amend weight and dimension requirements for modular unit transporters.

Status – Passed the Senate by a vote of 51-1 on 1/29/24. Passed the House by a vote of 152-0 on 2/16/24.

SB 410 – Senators Kirkpatrick, Walker, Robertson, Payne, and Anavitarte

A bill to provide temporary licenses to out-of-state veterinarians and to exempt certain services performed by out-of-state vets from licensing requirements.

Status – Passed Senate by a vote of 52-0 on 2/8/24. Passed House by substitute by a vote of 170-0 on 3/7/24.

SB 420 – Senators Anavitarte, Goodman, Beach, Cowsert, and Gooch

A bill to prohibit certain foreign entities from purchasing agricultural land.

Status – Passed the Senate by a vote of 41-11 by substitute on 2/29/24. Passed the House by a vote of 97-67 3/21/24.

SB 426 - Senator Tillery

A bill relating to tort reform involving direct action. Will revise requirements for joining of a motor carrier and motor carrier's insurer to a cause of action and provide for subrogation for unpaid final judgments relative to causes of action involving motor carriers.

Status - Passed the Senate by a vote of 46-2 on 2/13/24. Passed the House by a vote of 172-0 on 3/18/24.

SB 429 – Senators Dolezal, Gooch, Kennedy, Robertson, Anavitarte, and others

A bill to enact the Small Business Protection Act of 2024. This would provide for an analysis of the economic impact of bills or rules on small businesses at the request of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or any member of the General Assembly.

Status – Passed the Senate by a vote of 40-13 with amendment on 2/26/24. Passed House by a vote of 161-7 on 3/26/24.

SB 436 – Senators Watson, Goodman, Anderson, Walker, Ginn, and others

A bill to give operators of farm vehicles the right of way on a state or local roadways when it is unsafe for the farm vehicle to pull off to the far-right-hand side of the road.

Status – Passed the Senate by a vote of 48-0 on 2/16/24. Passed the House by a vote of 165-0 on 3/11/24.

SB 437 – Senators Robertson, Kirkpatrick, Watson, Strickland, and Sims

A bill to prohibit the sale of consumable hemp products to people under the age of 21 and to provide regulations for disclosing THC contents to consumers.

Status – Passed the Senate by a vote of 49-1 by substitute on 2/29/24. Passed the House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs on 3/7/24. Language attached to SB 494 which passed the House on 3/26/24.

SB 494 – Senators Watson, Robertson, Kirkpatrick, Goodman, and Sims

A bill to regulate hemp products and hemp grower licenses. Includes language from SB 437 and HB 458.

Status – Passed the Senate by a vote of 43-5 with amendment on 2/27/24. Passed the House by a vote of 168-3 on 3/28/24.

HB 808 - Reps. Cheokas, Yearta, Mathiak, Ridley, Powell & Dubnik

A bill to exempt tangible personal property from ad valorem taxes if the fair market value does not exceed $20,000.00.

Status - Passed the House by a vote of 125-42 on 2/26/24. Passed the Senate by a vote of 51-0 on 3/26/24.

HB 827 – Reps. Smith, Dickey, Pirkle, Leverett, Hagan, and Huddleston

A bill to increase the penalties for livestock theft.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 156-12 on 2/26/24. Passed the Senate by substitute by a vote of 52-2 on 3/18/24.

HB 880 – Reps. Ballard, Bonner, Burchett, Blackmon, Prince & Sainz

A bill to allow transitioning military spouses to use an existing license in good standing from another state to obtain employment in the State of Georgia.

Status - Passed the House by a vote of 168-0 on 2/27/24. Passed the Senate by a vote of 54-0 on 3/14/24.

HB 905 – Reps. Reeves, Roberts, Leverett, LaHood, and Washburn

A bill to repeal provisions authorizing administrative officers to exercise zoning powers.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 167-0 on 2/1/24. Passed the Senate by a vote of 35-20 by substitute on 3/28/24.

HB 912 – Reps. Anderson, Rhodes, Burchett, Smith, and Williams

A bill to revise the definition of “multipurpose off-highway vehicle” and amend regulations relating to ad valorem taxes on motor vehicles.

Status – Passed House by a vote of 168-0 on 2/15/24. Passed Senate Transportation on 3/11/24. Language attached to SB 110 which passed the Senate on 3/26/24.

HB 994 – Reps. Powell, Rhodes, Leverett, Cox, Barrett, and McDonald

A bill to revise liability for the negligent operation of a vessel and to provide clarification for claims against owners of boat liveries.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 163-1 on 2/21/24. Passed the Senate by a vote of 52-1 on 3/26/24.

HB 997 – Reps. Corbett, Ridley, Hitchens, Prince, and Powell

A bill to disqualify individuals from operating a commercial motor vehicle upon the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s receipt of a positive drug test or refusal to submit a test.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 162-1 on 2/12/24. Passed the Senate by a vote of 45-6 on 3/18/24.

HB 1017 – Reps. Seabaugh, Reeves, Burchett, Crowe, and Silcox

A bill to deem those who enter and reside upon land or premises without the knowledge or consent of the owner as guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 167-0 by substitute on 2/29/24. Passed the Senate by a vote of 54-0 on 3/26/24.

HB 1019 – Reps. Reeves, Burns, Blackmon, Jones, Knight, and Silcox

A bill to raise homestead exemptions from $2,000.00 to $4,000.00 and allow for those participating in the rural housing program to receive the same homestead exemption.

Status – Passed House 162-0 on 2/8/24. Passed the Senate by a vote of 54-0 by substitute on 3/28/24.

HB 1031 – Reps. Blackmon, Knight, Martin, and Crowe

A bill to define “estimated roll-back rate” and direct the chief appraiser to appraise every parcel in 2025 and every three years thereafter.

Status – Passed House by a vote of 146-24 by substitute on 2/29/24. Referred to Senate Finance on 3/4/24. Language attached to HB 581 which passed the Senate on 3/26/24.

HB 1115 – Reps. Williams, Kelley, Crowe, Blackmon, and Horner

A bill to cap local sales and use taxes at three (3) percent.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 167-2 on 2/27/24. Heard in Senate Finance on 3/11/24. No action taken. Language attached to HB 581 which passed the Senate on 3/26/24.

HB 1146 – Reps. Stephens, Hitchens, and Petrea

A bill to allow the Environmental Protection Division to issue water permits to private companies in areas where no public water service can be provided within 12 months.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 105-58 on 2/29/24. Passed the Senate by a vote of 32-22 on 3/28/24.

HB 1172 – Reps. Burchett, Rhodes, Leverett, Smith, and Williams

A bill to limit the public’s right of navigable streams to only using water as highways and for hunting and fishing. The public is not permitted to trespass upon privately owned beds.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 107-60 on 2/26/24. Passed the Senate by a vote of 34-18 on 3/26/24.

HB 1185 – Reps. Camp, Washburn, Frye, Martin, and Blackmon

A bill to provide for statewide homestead exemption from ad valorem taxes when current year assessed value exceeds the inflation rate. Incorporates language from SB 349.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 169-0 on 2/27/24. Passed Senate Finance on 3/12/24. Language attached to HB 581 which passed the Senate on 3/26/24.

HB 1223 – Reps. Leverett, Petrea, Prince, Jackson, and Adesanya

A bill to prohibit individuals from distributing a soil amendment on a site that is currently subject to a consent order issued by the EPD.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 165-0 by substitute on 2/29/24. Passed the Senate by a vote of 49-1 on 3/20/24.

HB 1237 – Reps. Cannon, Corbett, Dickey, Meeks, and Campbell

A bill to remove the acreage requirement from the definition of a producer in relation to citrus fruits.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 166-0 on 2/26/24. Passed the Senate by a vote of 51-0 on 3/20/24.

HB 1253 - Reps. Anderson, Greene, Jackson, Corbett, Houston, and Smith

A bill to establish special rural districts and provide provisions for funds for those districts. Incorporates language from Rep. Lynn Smith's HB 999.

Status - Passed the House by a vote of 168-1 on 2/29/24. Passed the Senate by a vote of 32-22 by substitute on 3/28/24.

HB 1459 - Reps. Campbell, Dickey, and Greene

A bill to exempt diesel exhaust fuel used for agricultural purposes from sales tax.

Status - Passed House Ways and Means on 3/14/24. Language attached to SB 340 by amendment which passed Senate by a vote of 42-10 on 3/28/24.

FAILED TO PASS

SB 132 - Senators Beech, Dolezal, Goodman, Summers, and Anderson

A bill to prohibit foreign entities from purchasing agricultural land. Incorporates language from HB 1093.

Status - Passed the Senate on 3/2/23. Passed House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs by substitute on 3/12/24. Bill stripped by House Rules Committee.

SB 349 – Senators Hufstetler, Albers, Esteves, Echols, and Anavitarte

A bill to revise provisions related to the setting of millage rates and provide for a statewide homestead exemption from ad valorem taxes in an amount equal to the amount by which a homestead's current year assessed value is more than 3% from the adjusted base year value and others. Includes language from HB 1115 & HB 1031.

Status – Passed Senate by a vote of 42-7 on 2/15/24. Passed House Ways and Means on 3/20/24. Bill stripped by House Rules Committee.

SB 542 – Senators Watson, Kennedy, and Gooch

A bill to limit the public’s right of navigable streams to only using water as highways and for hunting and fishing. The public is not permitted to trespass upon privately owned beds.

Status – Passed the Senate by a vote of 51-0 by substitute on 2/29/24. Referred to House Judiciary on 3/4/24. Bill stripped by House Judiciary Committee.

HB 904 – Reps. Vance, Jackson, Campbell, Mainor, and Washburn

A bill to change certain provisions relating to electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low voltage contractors, and utility contractors.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 168-1 on 2/21/24. Passed Senate Regulated Industries on 3/14/24.

HB 926 – Reps. Reeves, Mainor, Greene, Hilton, and Vance

A bill to authorize individuals to obtain a certificate of good standing and use it as evidence of good moral character for employment, housing, and occupational licensing.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 159-1 by substitute on 2/29/24. Referred to Senate Judiciary on 3/4/24. Bill stripped by Senate Judiciary Committee.

HB 927 – Reps. Hagan, Efstration, Anderson, Cannon, and Sainz

A bill to authorize fluorescent pink hunting outer garments.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 166-1 on 2/26/24. Passed Senate Natural Resources and Environment by substitute on 3/13/24.

HB 1048 – Reps. Carpenter, Huddleston, Cameron, Hilton, and Vance

A bill to make cornbread the official bread of the state.

Status – Passed House by a vote of 155-3 on 2/9/24. Passed Senate Economic Development and Tourism on 3/12/24.

HB 1052 – Reps. Cannon, Dickey, Huddleston, McCollum, and Meeks

A bill to allow corporations to qualify for CUVA if the land they are leasing is used for agriculture or timber purposes and if the corporation ownership includes at least one US citizen.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 166-2 by substitute on 2/29/24. Passed Senate Finance on 3/8/24.

HB 1096 – Reps. Washburn, Werkheiser, Evans, and Powell

A bill to allow the Secretary of State to refuse to renew professional licenses unless the licensee has completed the required continuing education (if applicable to the profession).

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 167-1 by substitute on 2/29/24. Passed Senate Regulated Industries on 3/19/24.

HB 1099 – Reps. Huddleston, Burchett, Cannon, Camp, and Rhodes

A bill to constitute a charge of criminal trespass against individuals who enter the land of another person that has been marked with purple paint marks on either trees or posts on said property.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 167-0 on 2/29/24. Heard in Senate Judiciary on 3/18/24. No action taken.

HB 1127 – Reps. Pirkle, Corbett, Rhodes, and Lott

A bill to prohibit the sale of consumable hemp products to people under the age of 21 and to provide regulations for disclosing the inclusion of THC to consumers.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 165-1 on 2/27/24. Referred to Senate Regulated Industries on 2/29/24.

HB 1190 – Reps. Collins, Powell, Cheokas, Gaines, and Ridley

A bill to allow the division director to issue professional licenses should the licensing board fail to issue a license within 60 days of receiving the application.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 167-0 on 2/29/24. Passed Senate Regulated Industries on 3/12/24.

HB 1239 – Reps. Collins, Corbett, Rhodes, Jasperse, and Dickey

A bill to define miniature on-road vehicles and provide licensing requirements and regulations for operators.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 168-1 on 2/29/24. Passed Senate Public Safety on 3/7/24.

HB 1260 – Senators Gaines, Jones, Burchett, Dickey, Smith, and Anulewicz

A bill to require the Commissioner of Agriculture to establish and maintain a directory of nicotine vapor products for sale in the state.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 163-4 by substitute on 2/29/24. Passed Senate Regulated Industries on 3/19/24.

HB 1274 – Reps. Huddleston, Ridley, Dickey, Pirkle, Thomas, and Cameron

A bill to amend the terms of the state veterinary loan repayment program so as to change the rural county population requirement to less than 50,000 and to change the payments to no more than $75,000 in the three-year program.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 166-1 on 2/29/24. Passed Senate Higher Education on 3/13/24.

HB 1294 – Reps. Pirkle, Green, and Werkheiser

A bill to allow the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to finance and perform duties related to natural gas facilities.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 155-7 on 2/29/24. Passed Senate Regulated Industries on 3/14/24.

HB 1322 – Reps. Cannon, Corbett, Rhodes, Williams, Pirkle, and LaHood

A bill related to hemp regulation as it pertains to legal limits of delta-9-THC concentration.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 166-3 on 2/29/24. Heard in Senate Regulated Industries on 3/20/24. Tabled by the committee.

HB 1371 – Rep. Burchett

A bill relating to torts regarding owners and occupants of land.

Status – Passed the House by a vote of 168-0 by substitute on 2/29/24. Passed Senate Judiciary on 3/20/24.

FAILED TO CROSSOVER

SB 364 – Senators Albers, Hufstetler, Summers, Still, and Anavitarte

A bill to provide for a statewide homestead exemption from ad valorem taxes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the lesser of 3 percent or the inflation rate from the adjusted base year value, and others.

Status – Heard in the Finance Committee on 1/29/24. No action taken.

SB 393 – Senators Dixon, Walker, Lucas, and Summers

A bill to permit certain qualified individuals to register with the Health Department to conduct soil investigations and prepare soil reports of a site.

Status – Referred to the committee on State and Local Governmental Operations on 1/25/24.

SB 403 – Senators Ginn, Dixon, Echols, Hufstetler, and Walker

A bill to list and describe necessary components in annual tax assessment notices, including methods for filing appeals and all assessment values.

Status – Passed the committee on Finance on 2/21/24.

SB 404 – Senators Moore and Beach

A bill to set the income tax rate at 5.49% and then reduce it by 1% each year until it reaches zero percent.

Status – Referred to the committee on Finance on 1/26/24.

SB 408 – Senator Brass

A bill to retract the Board of Natural Resources’ power to require fluoridation of drinking water in incorporated communities.

Status – Heard in the committee on Natural Resources on 2/14/24. No action taken.

SB 470 – Senators Setzler, Albers, Kirkpatrick, and Halpern

A bill to provide for notices of vacancy against tenants and those occupying land or tenement.

Status – Passed the committee on Public Safety on 2/15/24.

SB 471 – Senators Williams, Anderson, Walker, Payne, and Beach

A bill to change renewal dates for professional licenses. Licenses issued after January 1, 2025 are valid for up to four years, with exceptions for certain licensing boards. Those exempted will remain valid for up to two years.

Status – Passed the committee on Regulated Industries on 2/15/24.

SB 488 – Senators Summers, Kennedy, Goodman, Walker, and Anderson

A bill to provide exemptions from ad valorem taxes for aircraft used exclusively for agricultural purposes.

Status – Failed to pass the committee on Finance on 2/21/24.

SB 489 – Senators Goodman, Watson, Summers, Hodges, and Anderson

A bill to designate the blueberry the state berry of Georgia.

Status – Passed the committee on Economic Development & Tourism on 2/22/24.

SB 525 – Senators Gooch, Ginn, Robertson, Harbin, and Goodman

A bill to prohibit the sale of ethanol gasoline.

Status – Referred to the committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs on 2/20/24.

SB 578 - Senators Watson, Goodman, Anderson, and Echols

A bill to revoke water withdrawal permits from if land is converted to use for solar facilities.

Status - Referred to Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs on 3/13/24.



HB 449 – Reps. Knight, Corbett, Rhodes, Cannon, and Pirkle

The bill would do away with an exemption provided in the Conservation Use Value Assessment (CUVA) program that allows for the installation of solar panels on land in a CUVA covenant if that portion of the land is removed from the covenant and the penalty is paid.

Status - Passed House Ways and Means Committee 3/3/23. Recommitted to committee on 3/29/23.

HB 452 – Reps. Pirkle, Jasperse, Meeks, Rhodes, Knight

A bill to prohibit the foreign ownership of agricultural land by any non-resident alien, government, or business from a country considered to be foreign adversary as determined by the US Secretary of Commerce. It would also restrict ownership by those individuals, governments, and businesses of any land that is within a 25-mile radius of a military facility.

Status - Passed House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee 2/28/23. Recommitted to committee on 3/29/23.

HB 848 – Reps. Taylor, Lumsden, Collins, Hitchens, and Dunahoo

A bill to authorize the enforcement of excess vehicle weight violations through an automated vehicle weight detection system.

Status - Referred to the committee on Motor Vehicles on 1/8/24.

HB 893 – Rep. Thomas

A bill to provide exemptions from ad valorem taxes for homesteads used for agricultural purposes, subject to certain circumstances.

Status - Referred to the committee on Ways and Means on 1/10/24.

HB 908 – Reps. Ridley, J., Ridley, J., Jasperse, Fleming, and Persinger

A bill to require food service establishments to disclose if food products contain cell-cultured meat and/or plant-based meat alternatives.

Status – Heard in the committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs on 2/22/24. No action taken.

HB 922 – Reps. Vance, Tarvin, Lunsden, Collins, and Hitchens

A bill to constitute the entrance upon another’s property without consent of the owner as an offense of criminal trespass.

Status – Heard in the Judiciary Non-Civil subcommittee on 2/15/24. No action taken.

HB 981 – Reps. Burchett, Cannon, Dickey, Meeks, and Rhodes

A bill to exempt agricultural structures from permit fees in excess of $500.00.

Status – Heard in the committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs on 1/31/24. No action taken.

HB 999 - Reps. Smith, Greene, Jackson, Stinson, and Cannon

A bill to define special rural districts and allow those districts to qualify for certain state and federal funds.

Status - Referred to the committee on Governmental Affairs on 1/24/24.

HB 1011 – Reps. Momtahan, Gullett, Daniel, Leverett, and Cannon

A bill to prohibit insurers from unfair and deceptive acts because the applicant or insured inquires about or submits a claim for which no payment is made.

Status – Referred to the committee on Insurance on 1/25/24.

HB 1047 – Rep. Byrd

A bill to set the income tax rate at 5.49% then reduce it by 1% each year until it reaches zero percent.

Status – Referred to the committee on Ways and Means on 1/26/24.

HB 1093 – Reps. Clark, Pirkle, Blackmon, Corbett, and Bonner

A bill to prohibit certain foreign companies or individuals from purchasing agricultural land.

Status – Passed the committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs on 2/14/24. Withdrawn from Rules calendar and recommitted to the Rules Committee on 2/27/24 by Rep. David Clark.

HB 1119 – Reps. Carson and Hilton

A bill to provide specific dimension requirements for altered suspension systems on motor vehicles.

Status – Heard in the committee on Motor Vehicles on 2/16/24. No action taken.

HB 1120 – Reps. Taylor, Ehrhart, Mathiak, Smith, and Thomas

A bill to provide that a freeze on increased assessment values applies to residential properties only when the property owner has been granted a homestead exemption.

Status – Referred to the committee on Ways and Means on 2/6/24.

HB 1142 – Reps. Martin, Gullett, Jones, Hilton, and Momtahan

A bill to remove the residency requirement for the issuance of professional licenses for spouses of active or transitioning military personnel.

Status – Referred to the committee on Regulated Industries on 2/7/24.

HB 1152 – Reps. Camp, Carson, Powell, Persinger, and Gullett

A bill to provide regulations and expectations of consumers and solar financing agents in relation to solar energy.

Status – Heard in the committee on Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications on 2/20/24. No action taken.

HB 1164 – Reps. Miller, Smith, T.P., LaHood, Buckner, Fleming, Smith, V., and Willis

A bill to charge individuals with criminal trespass if they enter, without proper licensure or authorization, the enclosure of a wild animal and cause injury or death.

Status – Heard in the committee on Judiciary Non-Civil on 2/22/24. No action taken.

HB 1169 – Reps. Townsend, Smith, DeLoach, Vance, and Reeves

A bill to allow the Environmental Protection Division to deny permit applications if the applicant has violated environmental laws or regulations.

Status – Heard in the subcommittee on Natural Resources and Environment on 2/15/24. No action taken.

HB 1173 – Reps. Ridley, Rhodes, Ridley, Cannon, and Corbett

A bill to authorize fishing with bow and arrow for any catfish species in any waters of the state.

Status – Passed the committee on Game, Fish & Parks on 2/13/24.

HB 1177 – Reps. Stephens, Washburn, and Blackmon

A bill to provide for statewide homestead exemption from ad valorem taxes when current year assessed value exceeds base year value.

Status – Heard in the subcommittee on Ways and Means on 2/12/24. No action taken.

HB 1195 – Reps. Kendrick, Jackson, Kelley, Greene, Buckner, and Frye

A bill to provide a tax credit to workforce-ready graduates employed in high-tech full-time jobs in rural counties.

Status – Passed the committee on Ways and Means on 2/20/24.

HB 1206 – Reps. Lumsden, Carson, Gullett, Gunter, and Scoggins

A bill to require businesses to treat electronic signatures with the same privacy as physical signatures.

Status – Passed the committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs on 2/26/24.

HB 1219 – Reps. Silcox, Stephens, and Holland

A bill to provide for a pilot program to enforce traffic laws relating to excessive noise levels.

Status – Referred to the committee on Public Safety & Homeland Security on 2/12/24.

HB 1220 – Reps. Rhodes, Williams, Corbett, Jones, Houston, and Williamson

A bill to give the Public Service Commission regulatory powers over water service providers servicing 1,000 or more customers.

Status – Passed the committee on Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunication on 2/20/24.

HB 1227 – Rep. Thomas

A bill to prohibit squatting and charge those in violation with criminal trespass. A fine will be imposed based on the fair market monthly rental value.

Status – Referred to the committee on Judiciary on 2/12/24.

HB 1263 – Reps. Schofield, Drenner, David, Scott, and Evans

A bill to require state entities to consider and report environmental impacts before taking certain actions and to create the Environmental Justice Commission.

Status – Referred to the committee on Natural Resources and Environment on 2/15/24.

HB 1285 – Reps. McCollum, Hitchens, Jones, Fleming, and Hilton

A bill to prohibit the sale of mufflers when it is known that it will produce excessive noise.

Status – Referred to the committee on Motor Vehicles on 2/16/24.

HB 1286 – Reps. Corbett, Cannon, Williams, LaHood, and Rhodes

A bill to regulate hemp products and hemp grower licenses.

Status – Passed the committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs on 2/22/24.

HB 1289 – Reps. Gunter, Anderson, and Jasperse

A bill to prohibit people from operating motor vehicles with more than six wheels on dangerous highways (term defined by the Department of Transportation).

Status – Referred to the committee on Transportation on 2/16/24.

HB 1300 – Rep. Prince

A bill related to the disclosure of a taxing authority’s intent to increase property taxes.

Status – Referred to the committee on Ways and Means on 2/20/24.

HB 1315 – Reps. Williams, Meeks, Corbett, Jones, and Campbell

A bill to exempt aircraft used for agricultural purposes from ad valorem taxes.

Status – Referred to the committee on Ways and Means on 2/21/24.

HB 1397 - Rep. Burchett

A bill to identify the waterways presumed to be navigable in the state.

Status - Heard in Natural Resources Subcommittee on 2/26/24. No action taken.

STAR SPONSOR TIME

The 2024 GAC Star Sponsor program registration is now underway, and it's off to a good start. This program assists with events during the legislative session along with building support for a variety of projects and initiatives that cannot take place without the added participation.

Star Sponsors are reflected in each of our newsletters and are included with the weekly legislative reports throughout each session of the Georgia General Assembly and more. 

Click here for 2024 Star Sponsor registration information, email Jill Hansard, or call the GAC office at 706-336-6830. Thank you!

*Star Sponsors listed below are as of 3/28/2024

2024 STAR SPONSORS

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Asmark Institute

Bagwell Insurance Group, Inc.

Dickey Farms Inc.

Georgia CEO

Georgia Electric Membership Corporation

Georgia Power Co.

Martin Trucking, LLC

Premium Peanut

R & A Orchards, Inc.

Southwest Georgia Farm Credit

The Burkhalter Ranch

The Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation

Ag Technologies

Albany Dougherty Economic

Development Commission

Carroll EMC

Color Burst

DeWitt Produce Co. Inc.

Fort Valley State University Co-op Ext. Program

Georgia Cotton Commission

Georgia Development Authority

Georgia Green Industry Association

Georgia Peanut Commission

Greg Sikes Farm, LLC

J & B Irrigation Inc.

Jaemor Farms

Kelley Manufacturing Co.

Leatherbrook Holsteins LLC

Mobley Greenhouses, Inc.

Osage Farms Inc.

Riverview Plantation Inc.

SafEnvirons, Inc.

Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition

Sunbelt Greenhouses

Superior Blueberries

Synovus Ag & Timber Group

The Turfgrass Group, Inc.

Triple Creek Farm

USA Poultry & Egg Export Council

Woodruff & Howe Environmental Engineering, Inc.

AgLanta Grown

American Peanut Shellers Association

B.C.T. Gin Co., Inc.

B.J. Reece Orchards

Boston Gin Company

Burriss Law Group, LLC

Centurion Poultry Inc.

Chastain & Associates Insurance Agency, Inc.

Circle C Farms Inc.

Citizen Farmers Academy

CLW Harvesting, LLC

Coastal Plains Farmers

Co-Op. Inc.

Cotton Partners LLC

Curry Farm Supply Inc.

EGA, Inc

Emanuel Peanut & Grain LLC

 Embry Transport, Inc.

Feeding Georgia

Fresh Plants, Inc.

Funston Gin Co., Inc.

Georgia Association of County Agricultural Agents

Georgia Association of Professional Ag Consultants

Georgia Cattlemen's Association

Georgia Crop Improvement Association Inc.

Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service, Inc.

Georgia FFA Association

Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center

Georgia Forestry Association

Georgia Fresh, LLC

Georgia Grown Citrus @ JoNina Farm

Georgia Milk Producers Inc.

Georgia Peach Council

Georgia Pecan Growers Association, Inc.

Georgia Seed Association Inc.

Georgia Watermelon Association

Georgia Women in Agriculture Association, Inc.

Green Fern Enterprises, LLC

Greene County Fertilizer Co.

Grow Green Services, LLC

Hat Creek Peanut Co. Inc.

Hazel Creek Cider, Inc. / Yearwood Farms, Inc.

Hulsey Farm Services

JKB Farm Services LLC

Lenox Peanut Company

L. R. Land & Cattle Company, Inc.

Lyle Farms, LLC

Majors Electric & Mechanical Company, Inc.

Moultrie Colquitt County Development Authority

National Peanut Buying Points Association

Northeast Georgia Livestock, LLC

Omega Farms of GA

Red Clay Ranch Equine Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc.

Patrick Farms

Peebles Timber, Inc. / Longleaf LLC 

Pike Creek Turf, Inc.

Quality Gin, Inc.

RAJ Farms Inc.

Samara Plantation LLC

Sconyers Gin & Warehouse Co.

Shealy Farms, Inc.

Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association, Inc.

Southern AGCOM Inc.

Southern Crop Production Association

Southern Seed Co., Inc. & Hinson Family Ptrship.

Southern Specialty Equipment, Inc

Southern Livestock

Stanley Farms

The Dairy Alliance, Inc.

Three Brothers Trucking, LLC

Tri Scapes, Inc.

UGA Innovation Gateway

University of Georgia Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication

Vidalia Onion Business Council

Wallace Farm and Pet Supply, Inc.

Walter J. Turner Farms

HELP FIGHT FOR GEORGIA AGRICULTURE: SUPPORT THE GA AgPAC TODAY

In a policy environment that is rapidly changing, supporting state political leaders that understand and support agribusiness has never been more important than it is today.

The Georgia Agribusiness Council was created for the purpose of advocating for agricultural interests in the legislative and regulatory arenas. This lofty initiative continues to get harder and harder each election cycle. In our efforts to advance these activities, the Council formed the Georgia AgPAC several years ago that utilizes member's donations to:

* Financially support the campaigns of political candidates who are supportive of agriculture;

* Educating elected officials and key decision makers on issues important to agribusiness;

* Advocacy of issues that advance our industry and rural communities

We ask for your financial support so that we can continue to fight on behalf of Georgia agribusiness interests. Campaign contributions from Georgia AgPAC is restricted to non-federal candidates in races for legislative and statewide offices. Georgia AgPAC needs your contribution to advance this initiative. 

Your corporate or personal commitment will help us prepare today. All donations are welcome. Please call our office at 706-336-6830 or click here to download the donation form to be a partner in this effort. 

APRIL

April 4 I ATHENS

Flavor of Georgia

Contestant registration is open for the 2024 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest. Join us on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at the Classic Center in Athens, Ga.

April 6 I ATHENS

CAES Alumni Awards

Classic Center Atrium

Reception: 11:00 am

Luncheon and Awards: Noon

Registration: https://gail.uga.edu/events/caes/2024-alumni-association-awards

MAY

MAY 1 I FORSYTH

Second Annual Agribusiness Classic Clay Shoot

Join the Agribusiness Council and its members on May 1 in Forsyth at Meadows Clay Sports for our second annual clay shoot. More details will be coming soon!

Registration: https://connect.computility.com/f/fid.php?id=42a54b5a48ce754be7b73b0e19e56628

This information is intended for members of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Inc. No part of this document shall be copied, edited, or redistributed in any form without express written consent from the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Inc.

Georgia Agribusiness Council | 706-336-6830 | WWW.GA-AGRIBUSINESS.ORG

CELEBRATING 57 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP TO GEORGIA'S STRONGEST INDUSTRY