2017 Georgia Agribusiness Council weekly legislative report 
Volume 26, No. 7       Published by the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Inc.       February 24, 2017
This week has included several key discussions concerning the impact of recent increased immigration enforcement activities by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency. We understand ICE has conducted roadblocks in various locations across Georgia and perhaps detained immigrant workers.

As you are aware, having a viable workforce for our industry is critical. We are seeking information you can share about any such roadblocks and the impact it may have had on your agribusiness and/or others in your area. We appreciate hearing from several GAC members this week. This information is being compiled and will be communicated with elected leaders about any of the economic outfall from such activities. Pathways to a sustainable workforce in agriculture and rural Georgia have long been a key issue for the Council. Your input is very important and details will be kept confidential. Please feel free to email me at btolar@ga-agribusiness.org or call our office at 706-336-6830.

Thank you,
Bryan Tolar
President
QUICK POLL
Now that legislative issues impacting agriculture have largely surfaced for the 2017 session, we request your input on the variety of topics in process.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Which 2017 legislative topic is the most important to you?
Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Fix for Leased Farm Equipment (HB 290)
Solar Panels on CUVA or FLPA Land (HB 238)
Stream Buffer/Property Rights (SR 152)
FY 2018 Georgia Budget (HB 44)
Ag Education Initiatives (HB 437 & SB 243)
Food Regulation & Food Safety (SB 69, SB 78, & HB 176)
Georgia Ag Tax Exemption (GATE); currently there are no bills
Livestock Dealer Licensing Requirements (HB 49)
Rural Georgia Investment Programs (HB 73 & HB 314)

The Georgia Agribusiness Council was created for the purpose of advocating for agribusiness interests in the legislative and regulatory arenas. In advancing these activities, the Council formed a Political Action Committee (PAC) called Georgia AgPAC and will have several functions, including:

* Financially supporting the campaigns of political candidates friendly to our initiatives;
* Educating elected officials and key decision makers on issues important to agribusiness;
* Advocacy of issues that advance our industry and communities

Contributions from Georgia AgPAC will be restricted to non-federal candidates in the 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. 

Lawmakers are in session today as they complete another four-day workweek. At the close of the day, 24 of the 40-day legislative session will have been completed. They will return Monday for active week as “cross-over day” hits them on Friday, March 3. Cross-over day marks the deadline when bills have to have passed their chamber of origin – a critical hurdle to clear in the process. Thankfully, we had several bills pass this mark early in the week, but others are still in hustle mode. Here’s the latest list: 
AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION ON LEASED FARM EQUIPMENT
HB 290 by Rep. Sam Watson (Moultrie) passed the House on Wednesday with a 163 - 1 vote. We are encouraged by the progress of this legislation that will help a long list of Georgia counties understand that leased farm equipment to family farm operations is NOT subject to property tax. Our thanks remain with Rep. Sam Watson for leading the charge. It now moves to the Senate Finance Committee, but won’t likely advance until later in the session.   

SOLAR PANELS
HB 238 by Rep. Matt Hatchett (Dublin) passed the House this week. GAC supports this effort to secure approval to advance solar panel use in agricultural areas. It would allow the use of solar panels to be installed on land entered into a Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA) or Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA) covenant without a breach of the covenant. The land where the solar panels are installed must be removed from the covenant and placed on the tax digest and valued at fair market value for tax purposes. It will soon be assigned to the Senate Finance Committee.
Special thanks to Southeast AgNet for sharing our message on this important legislation as it now moves to the Senate. 
FOREST LAND PROTECTION
Constitutional amendment HR 51 and its enabling legislation, HB 85 by House Ways & Means Chairman Jay Powell (Camilla) is a much needed effort to remove outdated means of determining fair market value for forestland. It removes 2008 as the base year for the formula used to reimburse counties from losses created by Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA) savings. It will grant authority to the Georgia Department of Revenue to create a new class of taxable property for timberland and it allows the state to assume responsibility for timberland valuations. This uniform approach would make it clear that the state will use the income approach to value forestland.
AG EDUCATION
HB 437 
by Rep. Robert Dickey (Musella) would create the Agricultural Education Advisory Commission. A similar initiative has been utilized in the past with great success. The purpose of the commission is to provide direction to develop instructional strategies to teach specific agriculture standards from elementary through high school, then integrate these standards into a broad range of academic subject areas. With this in mind, the hope is that a stronger career preparation program would be made available to meet the demands of a dynamic and competitive agriculture industry. 
In relation, SB 243 by Sen. Jeff Mullis (Chikamauga) establishes the "Green Agricultural Education Act" to help incorporate and implement a pilot ag curriculum. The agricultural education program provided in this state shall be based on the nationally recognized three-component model of school based agricultural education: daily instruction in an organized classroom and lab environment; hands-on, real-world learning opportunities through the supervised agriculture experience (SAE) program; and leadership and learning opportunities through participation in FFA. 
CONSERVATION FUNDS FROM STATE SALES TAX
HB 332 by Rep. Sam Watson is a bill provides for a Constitutional Amendment that would authorize 75% of all moneys received from sales of outdoor recreation equipment be dedicated to the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund. The purpose of this funding would be for protection and preservation of conservation land. This initiative will require approval by voters during the November 2018 General Election. It will be discussed in the House Natural Resource & Environment Committee next week.
BROADBAND IN RURAL GEORGIA
 During the Rural Caucus meeting Wednesday, Georgia EMC discussed the broad network of the EMC energy family and shared their interest in being a partner in helping bring broadband internet access to rural Georgia. Further details will surface on this initiative as Sen. Steve Gooch (Dahlonega) begins hearings on his comprehensive broadband legislation, SB 232. It was good hearing from Georgia EMC’s new CEO Dennis Chastain and longtime legislative leader Bill Verner on the need and interest in being part of a rural broadband solution.
CONGRESSMEN AT THE CAPITOL
 The Gold Dome was pleased to play host to three Georgia Congressmen this week:  Senator David Perdue, Congressman Sanford Bishop and Congressman Drew Ferguson. Perdue and Bishop were able to address the General Assembly and give a brief insight on the status of DC and its new administration. 
We were pleased to be able to sit down with newly elected Congressman Drew Ferguson and discuss issues pertaining to agriculture - mainly labor. Ferguson was sympathetic and understanding of the issues facing the ag community. He advised that the confirming a new U.S. Labor Commissioner was priority number one to begin reforms needed for H2A and H2B visa programs. 
A.M. Bickley Inc.
Barrington Dairies
Bay Branch Farms, Inc.
Choice Wood Inc.
Clay Co. & Associates
Curry Farm Supply Inc.
 Davis M. Love III and Robin B. Love 
Docia Farms
Doerun Gin Co. Inc.
GA Ag. Commodity Commission for Tobacco
GA Association of Professional Ag. Consultants
Georgia Peach Council
Georgia Poultry Federation
Georgia Seed Association Inc.
Georgia Watermelon Association
Greg Sikes Farm, LLC
Hattaway Farms Partnerships
Holifield Farms Inc.
Israel Farm Supply Inc.
J & B Irrigation Inc.
KAKEGA LLC
Leger & Son, Inc.
Majors Electric & Mechanical Co., Inc.
Oak Hill Farm
Pike Creek Turf, Inc.
Pitts Insurance Agency Inc.
Plantation Seed Conditioners, Inc.
Quality Gin, Inc.
Saddle Creek Farm
Vidalia Onion Business Council
Special thanks to our 2017 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!

RURAL DEVELOPMENT
As was mentioned by House Speaker David Ralston at the GAC State Legislative Breakfast earlier this month, HR 389 creates House Rural Development Council. It’s purpose is to explore rural area challenges distinct from other areas of this state, which can include access to health care, poor infrastructure, diminished quality of educational, scarcity of employment opportunities, and overall lack of economic growth, among others. Composed of 15 members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker, it will be co-chaired by Rep. Terry England and Rep. Jay Powell. We look forward to engaging GAC members as this initiative gets rolling April 1, 2017.
2017 - 2018 GAC MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

The Council staff is preparing our 2017-2018 GAC Membership Directory. As you may know, our biannual publication provides GAC members with our current 1000+ membership list, associations and organizations, Georgia legislative information, congressional contacts and more. A mailer was distributed this week to members to update their information – so please make sure our database is current with your contact information.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to advertise! If you are interested in placing an ad in the directory, please see the link at www.ga-agribusiness.org or email Maggie Wooten at mwooten@ga-agribusiness.org. All ads will need to be received by March 17, 2017. Thank you!
GRAPEVINE
*Sen. John Wilkinson submitted  SR 81  commending FFA and recognized this entire week as National FFA Week, with February 21st as Georgia FFA Day at the Capitol. We were excited to be a part of this event this year as students from across the state hosted breakfast for legislators and visit the halls of the state capitol. (PHOTOS: Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black (L) and House Speaker David Ralston (R) were among a great group of leaders addressing the FFA students and guests.)
* It is with great sadness we announce Teresa Angle, the beloved wife of former UGA CAES Dean Scott Angle lost her battle with Alzheimer's earlier this week. The entire agriculture community was honored to have them as friends. Dean Angle is a great leader, but his commitment to Teresa throughout her battle was an amazing testimony to his love for her. Please keep Dean Angle and his family in your prayers.
*The Georgia Citrus Association will have their first annual meeting on February 27th at the UGA Tifton Campus. This new association will be a catalyst for the fruit growing industry in Georgia. Click here for tickets!

*The annual Wild Hog Supper that was supposed to take place earlier this month but was postponed due to inclement weather has been rescheduled for Monday, February 27th from 5:30-7:30 PM. It will continue to be at the Georgia Freight Depot. Tickets are still available for purchase.

*March 3rd, the Georgia Cattlemen's Association will be hosting a steak biscuit breakfast for legislators and guests at the capitol. Beef for breakfast! Senate Ag Chairman John Wilkinson submitted SR 263 which recognizes the Georgia Cattlemen's Association for uniting and advancing Georgia's cattle industry.

*We hope you will make plans to join us at the  Georgia FFA Foundation Blue & Gold Gala slated for Friday, March 10 at the St. Regis Buckhead hotel in Atlanta.  Click here for details .

*The Georgia Peanut Commission and National Peanut Buying Points Association will be hosting Peanut Butter & Jelly Day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 20, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. GAC is proud to be a sponsor of this annual event. SR 265 by Sen. John Wilkinson commends those in the industry and recognizes this date.

* Georgia Ag Week: The Georgia Department of Agriculture is leading our state’s biggest and best industry in a one-week collection of activities. Here are the plans:
Monday, March 20 - Seasons & Faces of Georgia Agriculture
Sloppy Floyd Building Plaza, Atlanta
The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s photo exhibit featuring farmers throughout the state will be displayed in the plaza of the James H. “Sloppy” Floyd Veterans Memorial Building.  The building houses the Capitol Commons food court, a popular lunch destination for state employees.
Tuesday, March 21- Flavor of Georgia
Old Train Depot, Atlanta
The University of Georgia’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences will once again be hosting their annual Flavor of Georgia Contest to showcase delicious Georgia food products. Visit www.flavorofga.com  or contact Sharon Kane at spkane@uga.edu for more info. This event is by invitation only.
Wednesday, March 22- Ag Hero Day (Statewide)
The Georgia Department of Agriculture invites you to celebrate agriculture heroes in your community by writing a note to farmers thanking them for the food and fiber they provide in our daily lives. Schools are encouraged to invite a local Ag Hero into classrooms to discuss the importance of agriculture and the impact farming has on our economy.  A “Pennies for Produce” Drive will be held in schools to collect funds for food banks across the state to purchase local produce when in season.
Thursday, March 23- Ag Literacy Day (Statewide)
With the guidance of Georgia Farm Bureau, the Georgia Department of Agriculture is encouraging all of our local and state partners to read a designated agriculture literacy book to a local school classroom. Contact Donna Rocker at dhrocker@gfb.org for classroom activities and more info.
Friday, March 24- Make My Plate Georgia Grown Day (Statewide)
The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Farm to School Program and the Georgia Department of Education’s School Nutrition Program have partnered together to create a Georgia Grown menu to feature local products in school cafeteria’s across the state. The Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Department of Education, School Nutrition is encouraging local and state partners to visit a school cafeteria in your community and enjoy a tasty Georgia Grown lunch.
2017 AGAware Workshops
AgSouth Farm Credit and AgGeorgia Farm Credit are hosting a series of informative workshops in order for farmers to get a better understanding of how to approach their finances.
Topics covered in the program include: Balance Sheets, Income Statements, Family Finance & Family Budgeting, Risk Management, Accrual Income, Applying for Financing and Preparing a Business Plan with bonus video topics on Record Keeping, Marketing, and Technology available for continued education. Click here to register!
  • Friday, March 17 - Greensboro, GA (Greene County Farm Bureau)
  • Friday, August 18 - West Columbia, SC (Phillips Market Center)
  • Friday, August 25 - Waynesboro, GA (Burke County Office Park)

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.

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