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Volume 25, No. 9 Published by the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Inc. March 11, 2016
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It was a full week of legislative activity with many moving parts as the session moves into the critical final days. After today, only five days remain in the session. Lawmakers will return Monday to dial in on key bills, including the budget. This is likely your last weekend to catch them at home in time to make changes to legislation still in play. Try to catch them in person or via email to share your concerns.
We made progress on several bills this week, but challenges remain with getting the GATE legislation fixed so that retailers aren’t jumping through needless hoops.
ALERT! AG TAX EXEMPTIONS (GATE): HB 911
was the topic of much discussion this week. Progress is being made, but not on some critical issues. This bill will be voted on in the Senate Finance Committee this afternoon. We encourage you to email Senators on this list NOW if you object to retailer mandates that are still included in this legislation.
GAC member Denney Rogers of L.L. Rogers and Son, Inc. testified in committee on Wednesday that these mandates on retailers need to be removed. If ag retailers do not wish to be saddled with more regulations, it is important that you make these contacts today. These mandates include:
1. All GATE items sold must be denoted as sales tax exempt on the receipt.
2. The retailer must maintain copies of receipts.
3. The GATE card holder name and certificate number must be listed on each receipt by the retailer.
4. The retailer must verify the validity of the GATE card at least once a year.
5. Any invalid cards detected by the retailer must be reported to the Dept. of Agriculture.
Other items in the bill include: setting the threshold to qualify at $7500, requires the use of a tax identification number, keeps the administration and oversight of the card at the Dept. of Agriculture, and provides for a three-year GATE card at a cost of $150.
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As always, feel free to call the GAC office at 706-336-6830 if you would like to discuss a specific bill. We are happy to help and we are grateful for your engagement.
Here's a look at other legislation important to agribusiness:
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SEED LAW:
Rep. Sam Watson
introduced
HB 1030
, which would improve current requirements for those appointed to the
Georgia Seed Commission
. It is scheduled for a vote in the Senate Agriculture Committee on Monday, where we expect a few changes to help further clarify portions of the bill. Broadening the scope of those who are eligible to include licensees and/or those involved production, conditioning, or marketing of seed, crops turfgrass, or horticultural plants are eligible.
This is a great program that helps generate funds for the UGA Research Foundation
for reinvestment in new plant varieties.
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WATER RIGHTS & ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP:
During a Thursday morning meeting of the House natural Resources Committee, we led a host of agriculture and industry friends in support of
HR 1343, which sends a strong statement about the negative impacts of the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) regulations put out by the EPA.
House Ag Committee Chairman Tom McCall
sponsored the resolution and
Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Wilkinson
introduced an identical resolution,
SR 1018
, in the Senate as well. We are working to help pass both of these resolutions as lawmakers make a statement to push back on EPA and their land-grabbing regulations.
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FARM USE VEHICLES:
HB 579
by
House Ag Chairman Tom McCall
, cleared the Senate Agriculture Committee on Monday. It would allow for golf carts, four wheelers, and other off road vehicles to be used on roads if using them for agricultural or forestry pursuits. Vehicles would have to be outfitted with a “slow moving vehicle” emblem. We hope to see it on the Senate floor for a vote very soon.
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LIVESTOCK DEALER SURETY REQUIREMENTS:
HB 876
would pave the way to improved licensing for livestock dealers. This bill would establish a livestock market operator license with a fee not to exceed $200 per year, but we could see the license renewal set at three years. The annual fee for a livestock dealer license would be no more than $25.00. As is common in several areas of agricultural commerce, this bill puts in place “surety” (bond) requirements to aid in the prevention of nonpayment or contract purchase failure by a licensed livestock market operator or a livestock dealer. This bill by
Rep. Clay Pirkle
is scheduled for a vote in the Senate Agriculture Committee next week.
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UAVs (DRONES):
The Senate Science and Technology Committee held a hearing for
HB 779
on Monday, but no vote was taken. The bill sponsor,
Rep. Kevin Tanner,
will be making some revisions to the bill before it is voted on in committee – probably next week. The bill initially set out to regulate all uses of drones, but has now narrowed its scope to use of UAVs for law enforcement and state agencies. Agriculture is not specifically mentioned in the bill.
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2017 BUDGET:
On Thursday, the Senate passed their version of the
FY 2017 budget
, which contained several notable changes. The good news is that the Senate responded to the calls and emails of many by restoring the funding and services of the
Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC)
with regard to the irrigation meter monitoring and maintenance program and other funding. GSWCC’s budget was restored to the position supported by Governor Deal. The bad news is many
UGA Extension positions
added by the House were stripped away in the Senate. These include losing six of the twelve
extension agent positions
(-$360K) along with the viticulturist, grain crop agronomist and a row crop physiologist positions (-$504K.)
The budget is at a critical place as the annual showdown between House & Senate leaders to find common ground will begin very soon.
We will continue advocating for the UGA Extension positions and the GSWCC funding, but legislators need to hear from you as well.
Those with concerns about these proposed changes in the budget are encouraged to contact your State Representative and State Senator immediately.
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WORKERS COMPENSATION:
HB 402
passed the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee on Wednesday. It would establish a voluntary program to encourage work-based learning opportunities between students and employers. In return, employers could be eligible for up to a 5% discount on workers comp premiums if the insured has been certified by the State Board of Education and approved by the State Board of Workers Compensation. In addition,
HB 818
offers a mix of general updates to state workers compensation provisions. It easily cleared the Senate Insurance Committee on Monday and should be on the Senate floor for a vote very soon.
FOOD SAFETY/INSPECTION:
HB 815
passed the Senate Agriculture Committee on Monday. This would fix a gap in Georgia meat inspection laws by requiring any avian species grown commercially for slaughter and preparation as human food to be inspected. Birds harvested at hunting plantations would not be included.
Senator Burt Jones
will carry this bill in the Senate.
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Agri-Business Supply Inc.
Brooksco Diary,LLC
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Boston Gin Co.
C.M Tanner Grocery Co. Inc
Doug Hopkins
Georgia 4-H Foundation
Hardy Farms
Quality Feedstuff, Inc.
Russell Landscape Contractors, LLC
Sylvania Peanut Co. Inc.
Swainsboro Stockyard
The J.L. Morgan Co, Inc.
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Special thanks to our Star Sponsors listed below. We welcome having GAC member companies be a part of this initiative. Please call our office at 706-336-6830 or
click here for details
. Thank you!
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VETERINARY SERVICE:
T
his bill would make it possible for a livestock or poultry producer to call and get medical treatment prescribed for their animals without a vet visit, if the vet has seen an illness progressing through their area affecting the production animal population.
HB 800
passed the Senate Agriculture Committee and will be carried by
Senator Larry Walker
for a floor vote in the days ahead.
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AGRITRUST OF GEORGIA
Here’s some great news for members participating in out AgriTrust of Georgia workers compensation program!
The AgriTrust Trustees announced the 22nd dividend declaration for the fund. This latest dividend is for $200,000.00 and is payable immediately to qualified fund members.
Our AgriTrust program has returned over $5,125,000.00 to qualified Fund members to date. We appreciate the integral role of independent insurance agents for their role in continuing success of the fund.
The Georgia Agribusiness Council started this program to serve our members 23 years ago
and our AgriTrust team looks forward to working with the ag industry in the future.
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*GAC
is proud to attend and sponsor the 2016 Blue and Gold Gala, being held at the St.Regis Hotel tonight. It will be a great night with our industry friends celebrating agricultural education and the future of agriculture.
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*We are proud to again be a sponsor for the Georgia Peanut Commission and National Peanut Buying Points Association,
Peanut Butter & Jelly Day at the State Capitol
. This special event will be held Wednesday,
March 16
from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
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*Ag Day at the Capitol:
Come join us
March 15, 2016
for Agriculture Awareness Day at the Capitol. Flavor of Georgia winners will also be announced at this huge annual event. GAC is proud to sponsor the
Flavor of Georgia
contest, which showcases delicious, innovative, market-ready prototypes or commercially available food products at the Georgia Freight Depot.
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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
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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP TO GEORGIA'S STRONGEST INDUSTRY
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