Legislative Session Report Week 2
LEGISLATIVE REPORT WEEK 2
January 21, 2022
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Quiet Week Under the Gold Dome
- Joint Appropriations Committee Meets
- Georgia Farm Bureau Establishes Impact Fund
- Last Chance to Register for GFB Day at the Capitol!
- Register for the 2022 Georgia Ag Forecast
- Bills That Remain Eligible in 2022
- Not a Member of Georgia Farm Bureau? Join Today!
- Dates to Remember
QUIET WEEK UNDER THE GOLD DOME
本周，在联合拨款委员会开会讨论22财年和23财年预算时，乔治亚州议会没有利用40个立法日中的任何一个. While many legislators were present at the Capitol for the hearings, there was a considerable number who attended virtually. The week of budget hearings lasted through Thursday and legislators are set to return on Monday, January 24th for legislative day 5.
乔治亚州农场局(GFB)的工作人员将继续监督拟议的预算，同时倡导对农业重要的倡议和计划. 随着各委员会开始定期开会，制定具体的立法，我们预计下周立法工作将有所起色. GFB will be present each day of the 40-day legislative session to monitor, protect, advocate and report on issues impacting our members and Georgia agriculture.
Joint Appropriations Committee Chairmen Sen. Blake Tillery (left) and Rep. Terry England (right) hear testimony during this week's budget hearings. (Photo Credit: Georgia House Photo)
JOINT APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE MEETS
This week, the Joint Appropriations Committee, chaired by Rep. Terry England and Sen. Blake Tillery, started the process of determining the AFY22 and FY23 budgets by hearing testimony from agency heads. With state revenues seeing a more than 18.1% increase in during the first half of FY22, 预计预算将包括多次增加资金，甚至向每个格鲁吉亚人返还共计1美元的税款.6 billion. 请参阅上周的立法报告，了解州长提议的重点内容 AFY22 and FY23 budgets.
The committee also heard about the current state of our economy from Dr. Jeffrey Dorfman, Georgia’s state fiscal economist. 他提出了对未来几个月和几年的预测，随着我们进入23财年，经济可能会出现小幅放缓，随后几年的增长率将更为正常. Dr. Dorfman讨论了我们在COVID-19大流行期间看到的劳动力市场挑战，因为许多工作岗位仍然空缺，流动率仍然很高. 当被委员会成员问及食品价格上涨的同时支付给农民的价格却在下降时, Dr. Dorfman brought up the increased input cost across the board for farmers, processors, and the retail sector.
Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black presented to the committee, giving an update on the Department's progress and challenges during the past few years, including employee retainment due to competitive salary offerings. With the state being three years removed from Hurricane Michael, 布莱克专员讲述了迈克尔·布洛克飓风拨款项目的成功，并感谢他们为我们州受风暴影响的农民提供资金所做的工作. 他还讨论了农业部保留该州农贸市场利润的愿望，以便像经营企业一样经营这些市场，而不是每年为市场的运营收取拨款. 专员赞扬了立法者去年通过建立佐治亚农业信托基金协助市场的工作, which allows GATE Card revenue to be used for the markets’ operations—totaling approximately $1.8 million.
Next week, 预算听证会将继续进行，小组委员会将深入研究对22财年和23财年预算的要求. During subcommittee hearings, 各机构将提出具体要求，说明它们希望在预算方面看到哪些变化. GFB将继续跟踪预算过程，并倡导我们的成员和格鲁吉亚农业的优先事项.
GEORGIA FARM BUREAU ESTABLISHES IMPACT FUND
On December 7, 2021, after nearly two years of diligent evaluation and consideration, 在2021年乔治亚州农场局(GFB)年会上，投票代表一致同意设立GFB影响基金, a political action committee (PAC), to advocate on behalf of agriculture, farmers, and our rural communities. The following week, GFB董事会一致投票将其付诸实施，并同时授权GFB相互亚洲体育博彩平台公司在2月28日之前匹配向GFB国家影响基金捐款的每一美元, 2022 - up to $500,000!
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. 这一额外的工具将使我们能够支持那些表现出致力于促进和加强农业的合格个人的候选人和选举, 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.
对GFB州影响基金的每一笔捐款都是自愿的，并将支持支持农业和佐治亚州农场局价值观的候选人. 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.
REGISTER FOR THE 2022 GEORGIA AG FORECAST
The 2022 Georgia Ag Forecast will be held at the Tifton Conference Center on January 28, 2022 beginning at 8:30 a.m. This annual seminar shares the latest research and information from UGA faculty to support Georgia’s No. 1 industry. Registration is now open for both in-person and virtual attendance.
As the state’s land-grant and flagship institution, 佐治亚大学和农业与环境科学学院致力于分享最新的农业经济预测, both locally and beyond. Dr. Jeffrey Dorfman, a Professor in Agricultural and Applied Economics, is this year’s keynote speaker.
Breakout sessions include:
- livestock and poultry
- horticulture
- row crops
- timber and land taxation
The 2022 Georgia Ag Forecast is made possible by: Farm Credit Associations of Georgia, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Grown, Georgia Farm Bureau and Georgia Agribusiness Council.
BILLS THAT REMAIN ELIGIBLE IN 2022
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. 只有国会授权各州全年实行夏令时，这一规定才会生效.
House Passed/Adopted on 3/5/2021. Assigned to Senate Rules Committee on 1/10/2022.
HB 139:
Reps. Mainor, Dukes, McClain, Mallow, and Thomas
该法案将禁止火车阻塞任何交通道口超过15分钟(安全原因除外)。, 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
该法案将提供一个优惠税率计划，旨在促进城市农业，并提供城市农业激励区，该区域将位于贫困率为15%或更高的地区. 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. 该法案是对HR 164的授权立法，将在2022年将这一变化作为宪法修正案进行投票.
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 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.
Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee on 2/18/2021.
HB 504:
Reps. Williamson, Reeves, Burns, Knight, Blackmon, and Lott
Similar to HB 500, 这项立法为《亚洲体育博彩平台》提供了第二轮资金，总额为1亿美元. However, 该法案还将为医疗设备和用品制造商制定新的NAICS代码和税收计划. Additionally, 该法案继续解决其他涉及高影响航空航天防御项目的税收抵免计划, 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, 该法案授权使用“一个格鲁吉亚”基金，根据“格鲁吉亚宽带部署倡议”向合格的供应商授予合同.
Assigned to House Governmental Affairs Committee on 2/24/2021.
HR 164:
Reps. Lim and Holcomb
HR 164 would allow for a constitutional amendment to be on the ballot in 2022 should HB 482 pass. See above for additional information on HB 482.
Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee on 2/17/2021.
SB 30:
Sens. Beach and Harbison
参议院第30号法案将规定在该州有限数量的有执照的马术中心举行赛马比赛, create the Georgia Horse Racing Commission, and provide for the comprehensive regulation of pari-mutuel horse racing and related activities.
Referred 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, 这项立法允许公共服务委员会和社区事务部利用普及基金的一部分来提供这种服务.
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.
NOT A MEMBER OF GEORGIA FARM BUREAU? JOIN TODAY!
The Georgia Farm Bureau Federation has a membership of almost 250,000 and serves as state's the largest general farm organization. Our goal is to provide leadership and assistance to the agricultural sector, to promote farm products, to aid in ag-related procurement, to be a spokesman for the farmer in the legislative arena, to be a leader in the development and expansion of farm markets, and to strive for more agricultural research and educational funds and facilities.
With members in all 159 Georgia counties, Georgia Farm Bureau is dedicated to promoting and improving agriculture in our counties, 不断改进和扩大我们的亚洲体育博彩平台服务计划，以提高所有格鲁吉亚人的生活质量.
Membership in Georgia Farm Bureau is open to everyone. You don't need to be a farmer or have insurance with us to join Farm Bureau!
If you would like to become a member of Georgia Farm Bureau, you can start your membership online right now! We have a simple application process, and you can be our newest member in just a couple of minutes. Click the button below or use our County Office Locator to find the office nearest you.
DATES TO REMEMBER
- February 1: Equine Youth Day at the Capitol
- February 1: Georgia Agribusiness Council Annual Meeting, Atlanta
- February 2: Georgia Agribusiness Council Legislative Breakfast
- February 2: GFB Presidents' Conference, Augusta
- February 8: GFB Day at the Capitol
- February 9: Georgia Young Farmers Association Day at the Capitol
- February 16-18: 60th Annual Georgia Cattlemen's Association Convention, Savannah
- February 22: Georgia FFA Day at the Capitol
- March 1 and 3: GFB Commodity Advisory Committee Spring Meetings, Macon
Sign up for Legislative Alerts to receive this information by email. 立法警报每周五在会议期间发布，必要时偶尔发布特别警报.
Public Policy Department Staff
Alex Bradford, Director
Raynor Churchwell, Agricultural Programs Manager
Katie Duvall, Advocacy and Policy Development Coordinator
Renee Jones, Operations Coordinator
Jake Matthews, Governmental Affairs Specialist
Jeremy Taylor, Agricultural Programs Specialist