Weekly Newsletter for Georgia Agribusiness Council Members
Volume 31, No. 10 Published by the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Inc. March 11, 2022
With Crossover Day looming next week, legislators frantically worked to pass as many bills as possible through committees and on the floor of the House and Senate this week. If a bill does not get a favorable vote before Tuesday in one chamber or the other, they are essentially out of consideration for the remainder of the legislative session.

While legislation can be revived by "hitching a ride" on another bill, the picture should become much clearer on what pieces of legislation will be discussed for the final twelve legislative days.

The House passed their version of the FY 23 budget, and this main attraction of the session now heads over to the Senate for further adjustments.

Continue to read below as we expand upon the week's occurrences.

**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 that may find these updates helpful.**
WEEKLY AUDIO SNAPSHOT OF THE SESSION WITH SOUTHEAST AGNET
We are excited to extend our partnership with Southeast AgNet as they help spread the word on what is happening under the Gold Dome. This is a great tool to get a quick snapshot of the week's activities throughout the session. For a recap of week 9click here.
CHAIRMAN TERRY ENGLAND PRESENTS BUDGET FOR THE FINAL TIME AS APPROPRIATIONS CHAIRMAN

House Appropriations Chairman Terry England presented the FY23 budget on Friday. This presentation marked the end of an era in the Georgia General Assembly in regards to appropriations, as Chairman England has announced his retirement from public service. 

The House of Representatives passed the $30 billion spending plan for fiscal 2023 which begins July 1 with only three no votes. The budget for the upcoming year would turn the teacher bonus into a raise, meaning it would be built into their future years’ salary. The House plan for the coming year adds big money for the chamber leadership’s priorities that are listed as improving mental health care, adding facilities such as hospital and crisis beds, aiding crime fighting, and enhancing schools and public health care programs.

The budget includes the following for agriculture related programs and agencies:

Department of Agriculture
-State Funds - $57,446,599
  • Athens and Tifton Veterinary Labs – $3,704,106
  • Consumer Protection – $31,740,756
  • Departmental Administration – $7,411,305
  • Marketing and Promotion – $7,607,126
  • Poultry Diagnostics Lab – $3,026,709

-Agricultural Exposition Authority
  • General Funds - $899,778

-University System of Georgia
  • Agricultural Experiment Station – $51,642,896
  • Cooperative Extension Service – $47,047,412

-Department of Education
  • Agricultural Education – $13,433,906
TRUCK WEIGHT INCREASE DISCUSSED IN HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The House Transportation Committee met on Thursday to discuss HB 496. This legislation would increase the legal limit of gross truck weight from 80,000lbs to 90,000lbs. Although the current weight is set at 80,000lbs, Governor Kemp has put an executive order in place for the past two years that allows for a 95,000lbs limit throughout the covid pandemic. 

GAC has been working with allies to push for this increase for a few years. As it is widely known, many factors are causing challenges for agribusinesses. Whether it be the supply chain, labor shortages, or rising costs, decreases in profitability has been felt across the industry. This legislation would aid in the ever-growing driver shortage and would allow for a significant increase in efficiency.

A vast number of industry representatives and citizens testified in support of this increase. The main opposition to the bill came from both the county representatives and the Georgia Department of Transportation. After two and a half hours of testimony and discussion in the committee meeting, there was no motion to vote on the bill.
CHAIRMAN MULLIS INTRODUCES VETERINARY LICENSING BOARD BILL
SB 604 was introduced by Senator Mullis this week to address concerns that have long been held regarding the service and effectiveness of the State Veterinary Licensing Board. The bill would move the jurisdiction of the board from the Secretary of State's office to be administratively attached to the Department of Agriculture. This move has been a priority of our partners at GVMA and is fully supported by GAC. We believe the mission and expertise of the Department of Agriculture more closely aligns with that of the Vet Licensing Board and would provide additional support to the licensing function of the board. Due to the complexities of such a move, this legislation has been delayed throughout the session while interested parties worked on the language, but we hope to see additional discussion in the Senate Ag Committee soon.
"RIGHT TO REPAIR" BILL HEARD IN HOUSE AG COMMITTEE
The House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs committee addressed HB 1176 in a meeting on Wednesday. This legislation is titled “Right to Repair” and looks to make equipment manufacturers provide all information and tools needed for repairs and modification to third party repair shops and other consumers. While this sounds like an issue that we can all get behind, the devil lies in the details. 

GAC supports equipment owners in their ability to repair their equipment. Unfortunately, the bill's language would allow for modification of federally mandated emissions and safety equipment and would put farmers sensitive data at risk of being hacked once source codes and other proprietary equipment information were mandated to be made readily available. The legislation would also allow the state to dictate prices that manufacturers could charge for their products. GAC opposed the bill in its current form for these areas of concern. The Agriculture and Consumer Affairs committee decided to not take a vote due to the complexity of the issue. We will continue to watch this issue, but it seems to have stalled as of now.
SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES ADDRESSES METAL THEFT
On Tuesday, the Senate Natural Resources committee took up SB 591 which deals with recyclers and cash payments. This legislation has been referred to by many groups as the “metal theft” bill.

SB 591 will allow recyclers to pay cash for metal that has a value of less than $100. This will be beneficial for recyclers in regard to costs associated with check writing. 

After many long conversations about the concerns with the legislation, it was amended to address a number of things that many groups want to see. The bill's sponsor worked with GAC and dozens of other interested parties to work on compromise language that would still make it hard for metal thieves to get access to cash quickly. The language now excludes cash payments for hot items such as catalytic converters and copper wire.

This bill passed out of the committee and now will go to rules where it will eventually move to the floor for a vote.
SENATE AG TAKES UP DOG BILLS
The Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs met on Monday to discuss two bills of interest. Both pieces of legislation pertained to dogs, which always comes with a tremendous amount of complexity and emotion. Traditionally this type of legislation has no real impact on Agribusinesses across the state, however it can sometimes lead to unintended results. 

The first piece of legislation is SB 512, that relates to dogfighting and cockfighting. While we totally and wholly condemn these actions and support the the intent of the legislation, the specific language is a slippery slope that could affect animal agriculture in the future. We have been working with the author of the bill and the interested parties to make sure that we are addressing the issue of animal fighting while also protecting animal agriculture from a broader and encompassing agenda. SB 512 passed through the committee and will now be in rules committee. 

Also aimed at dogs, SB 572 looks to amend the code in order to redefine Commercial Dog Breeding and set up new standards and rules for those that fall in the new definition. Again, while it seems to have no effect on agriculture, GAC has many members such as hunting plantations that would fall under this new definition. This particular legislation would encompass people that are doing everything right and require them to make unnecessary changes. This bill was held in committee and could possibly be brought back up before crossover day.
GAC DIRECTORY ADVERTISEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The Georgia Agribusiness Council has chosen to partner with Naylor Association Solutions on the 2022 GAC Membership Directory. By purchasing advertising space in the GAC Directory, you are making an excellent investment in your business and brand. We are confident that our partnership with Naylor will continue to increase networking and promotional opportunities already included in your membership. Be on the lookout for contact from a Naylor representative.
GAC STAFF ATTEND WASHINGTON "VIRTUAL FLY-IN"
GAC staff were pleased to join the national Agriculture Retailers Association for their virtual fly-in this week. We spoke with several Congressional offices and both US Senate offices about issues impacting retailers and agriculture in Georgia. Input prices, commodity prices, transportation, FIFRA, labor, and several other issues were addressed with our DC representatives.

We look forward to offices in Washington opening back up to the public so that these "fly-ins" can resume in-person and we can leave behind the virtual meeting in the past.
BILLS OF INTEREST

SENATE BILLS
SB 303: Sen. Mullis – To provide for standards for commercial breeders. To provide for facilities. To provide for care of dogs. To provide for breeding of dogs.

SB 379: Sen. Strickland - Would establish a high demand career initiative program that would seek to assist several key industry sectors in the state. This bill would expand and create several opportunities for small and medium sized businesses to benefit from a ready workforce upon graduation.

SB 396: Sen. Goodman - relating to the Georgia State Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), to rename such program the Georgia Grown Farm to Food Bank Program (F2FB); to require food procured pursuant to such program be Georgia grown, to identify Georgia grown farmers who supplied food. Crossed over from Senate and passed House Ag Committee.

SB 474: Sen. Summers - to provide for a state-wide exemption from all ad valorem taxes for aircraft used for the aerial application of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, seeds, or other agricultural products; to provide for a referendum.

SB 481: Sen. Jackson - Georgia Hemp Farming Act," so as to allow persons convicted of any misdemeanor or a felony not related to a state or federally Georgia Hemp Farming Act," so as to allow persons convicted of any misdemeanor or a felony not related to a state or federally controlled substance within ten years of the application date to grow industrial hemp.

SB 512: Sen. Payne - relating to gambling, to revise provisions relative to dogfighting; to prohibit animal fighting; to prohibit possession or sale of animal-fighting related objects; to provide for punishment, limitation of ownership. GAC is engaged with the author of this bill to ensure that the broad language used for "animals" is more narrowly defined so that unintended agriculture definitions are not change by this legislation.

SB 537: Rep. Jones II - A Bill to be entitled an Act to amend Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to agriculture, so as enact the "Food Insecurity Eradication Act"; to provide a short title; to provide for definitions; to create the Georgia Food Security Advisory Council.

SB 578: Sen. Walker - to authorize the operation, licensure, inspection, labeling requirements, enforcement, and regulation of home kitchen operations.

SB 591: Sen. Hatchett - Relating to secondary metals recyclers, so as to provide that it shall be illegal for certain persons to purchase, possess, obtain, or sell or attempt to purchase, possess, obtain, or sell used, detached catalytic converters, used utility wire, or used communications copper. Allow for cash payments under $100 value.

SB 604: Sen. Mullis - To provide for the State Board of Veterinary Medicine to be an independent state agency attached to the Department of Agriculture for administrative purposes only. To provide for contracting with the Department of Agriculture for licensing services.
HOUSE BILLS
HB 343: Rep. Rhodes - relating to requirement of permission to hunt on lands of another, written permission, enforcement, and immunity of landowner from civil liability.

HB 496: Rep. Burchett - Relating to permits for vehicles and loads of excess weight and dimensions. To allow for an increase in gross vehicle weight to 90,000lbs for agriculture and timber products.

HB 498: Rep. Watson - HB 498 will expand property tax exemptions for agricultural equipment and certain farm products. Bill will add dairy products and unfertilized eggs of poultry to be considered farm products in respect to the exemption. Passed through the House and Senate in 2021 and will be voted on by referendum in the 2022 election.

HB 500: Rep. Burchett - This bill will provide a second round of funding and period for applications relating to the "Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act." This will also increase the application fee and provide an annual maintenance fee.

HB 647: Rep. Smith - provides groundwater monitoring in areas where coal combustion residual impoundments reside and have recently closed. HB 647 passed through the House and assigned to the Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee

HB 997: Rep. Watson - To provide
 for a state-wide exemption from all ad valorem taxes for timber equipment and timber products held by timber producers; to provide for a referendum. In Ways and Means Public Finance Sub Committee.

HB 1000: Rep. Gunter -to provide an exception for inoculation of canines and felines against rabies for animals for which such vaccine would compromise the animal's health or if it is medically unnecessary. We will continue to keep an eye on the bill, but there seems to be very little additional interest in moving the bill forward after a hearing was held in which GVMA expressed concerns with the bill.

HB 1147: Rep. Rhodes - To authorize the hunting and trapping of raccoons and opossum year round. Passed through House.

HB 1148: Rep. Rhodes - relating to possession of cervid carcasses, to amend which cervid parts may be brought in from outside of Georgia; to authorize the Department of Natural Resources to restrict the movement or transport of cervid carcasses in prevention of Chronic Wasting Disease.

HB 1150: Rep. Dickey - relating to treatment of agricultural facilities and operations and forest land as nuisances, and to limit the circumstances under which agricultural facilities and operations may be sued for a nuisance, 
relating to treatment of agricultural facilities and operations and forest land as nuisances, so as to provide for legislative intent; to remove a definition; to limit the circumstances under which agricultural facilities and operations may be sued for a nuisance. Passed out of House Ag Committee

HB 1152: Rep. Mainor - relating to the "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975," so as to require merchants to accept cash for purchases.

HB 1175: Rep. Pirkle - relating to standards, labeling, and adulteration of food, to authorize and regulate the production, handling, transporting, and sale of raw milk and raw milk products for human consumption. To provide standards for safety, cleanliness, and health for such products and animals producing them. To authorize the Commissioner of Agriculture to enforce such standards. Passed out of House Ag.

HB 1176: Rep. Pirkle - to require a manufacturer to provide certain items necessary for diagnostic, maintenance, or repair services on digital products. Would also require a manufacturer to release sensitive proprietary information and owner data that could be harmful. Bill heard in House Ag Committee.

HB 1292: Rep. Jasperse. This bill would prohibit any student who is participating in a 4-H sponsored activity or program from being counted as absent at school. Assigned to House Education Committee.

HB 1301: Rep. Hogan. The Landscape Equipment and Agricultural Fairness (LEAF) Act. This preemption bill establishes that there shall be no local prohibition or regulation of the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers during hours allowed for all power equipment. Passed out of House Governmental Affairs committee and heads to the rules committee.

HB 1303: Rep. Dickey - 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.

HB 1309: Rep. Thomas - 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.

HB 1376: Rep. Moore - relating to food service establishments, to authorize food service establishments to serve patrons' pet dogs within designated outdoor areas of the establishment.

HB 1384: Rep. Jenkins - as to require the department to amend the Georgia state minimum standard codes to authorize certain uses of ungraded lumber.

HB 1450: Rep. Rich - relating to dogs, so as to provide protections for dogs kept outdoors. To provide for standards of care; to provide for exceptions; to provide for penalties.

HB 1479: Rep. Corbett - A bill to provide that the State Board of Registration for Foresters is an independent state agency attached to the State Forestry Commission for administrative purposes only; to require confirmation of the Senate for members of the State Board of Registration for Foresters appointed by the Governor; to authorize the board to issue cease and desist orders and issue additional penalties for violations.

HB 1496: Rep. Gullett - Relating to livestock running at large, so as to authorize a sheriff impounding livestock running at large to donate the livestock to an animal rescue organization or private individual instead of selling it at auction or killing it.

HB 1532: Rep. Ridley - Relating to hemp farming. To provide for license and permit fees. To provide for retail hemp food establishment licenses and wholesale hemp food establishment licenses.

HB 1548: Rep. Leverett - Relating to soil amendments, so as to prohibit application of soil amendments for any purpose other than to foster the growth of a crop.

HR 594: Rep. Smith - A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Georgia so as to provide that county and municipal governing authorities shall be authorized to grant temporary tax relief to properties severely damaged or destroyed as a result of a disaster and located within a nationally declared disaster area.
Ag Technologies dba Vantage Southeast
Brooksco Dairy LLC
Bulloch Gin Inc.
Carroll EMC
DeWitt Produce Co., Inc.
Docia Farms Partnership
Embry Farm Service
Georgia Cotton Commission
Georgia Development Authority
Georgia Young Farmers Association
Greg Sikes Farm, LLC
Hattaway Farms Ptr.
International Forest Co., Inc.
Kelley Manufacturing Co.
LG Herndon Jr. Farms Inc.
Leatherbrook Holsteins LLC
Mercier Orchards
Mixon Seed Services Inc.
Mobley Greenhouses Inc.
Nut Tree Pecan Nursery
Southern Woods Plantation, Inc.
Striplings General Store
Suttons Mill LLC
The Turfgrass Group, Inc.
TriEst Ag Group, Inc.
USA Poultry & Egg Export Council
WDairy LLC
AgSouth Services, Inc.
Barrington Dairy, LLC
Bay Branch Farms, Inc.
BCT Gin Co. Inc.
Boston Gin Co.
Broken Antler Farms
Burriss Law Group, LLC
Circle C Farms Inc.
CLW Harvesting LLC
Coley Gin & Fertilizer Co.
Cotton Partners LLC
Curry Farm Supply Inc.
Duvall Livestock Market, LP
Emanuel Peanut & Grain LLC
GA Assoc. of Conservation Districts
GA Assoc. of County Agricultural Agents
Georgia Christmas Tree Association
Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service, Inc.
Georgia Food Bank Association Inc.
Georgia Peach Council
Georgia Seed Association Inc.
Georgia Vocational Ag Teacher Association
Georgia Women in Agriculture Association Inc.
Hazel Creek Cider, Inc. / Yearwood Farms, Inc.
Hillside Orchard Farms Inc.
Hulsey Farm Services
Israel Farm Supply, Inc.
J & B Irrigation Inc.
KAKEGA LLC
Lenox Peanut Company
Moultrie Colquitt County Development Authority
Northeast Georgia Livestock
Oglethorpe Power Corporation
Omega Farms
P.G.C. Farms
Patrick Family Farms, LLC
Peebles Timber, Inc./ Longleaf LLC / Peebles Land LLLP
Quality Gin, Inc.
RAJ Farms Inc.
Red Clay Ranch Equine Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc
Samara Plantation LLC
Shealy Farms, Inc.
Shiloh Farms
Southeastern Sod, Inc.
Southern AGCOM Inc.
Southern Crop Production Association
Southern Livestock
Southern Seed Company, Inc.
Southern Specialty Equipment
Sweet Corn Co-Op
Tri-County Gin, Inc.
Vidalia Onion Business Council
Wild Ridge LLC
Williams Produce, Inc.

Special thanks to all of our Star Sponsors. Please call our office at 706-336-6830 for details. Thank you!
STAR SPONSOR TIME - ITS NOT TO LATE
The 2022 GAC Star Sponsor program registration is now underway and its off to a good start. This program helps 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, as posted on this page, along with the weekly legislative reports throughout each session of the Georgia General Assembly, monthly newsletters, and more. Click here for 2022 Star Sponsor registration information and email Jill Hansard or call the GAC office at 706-336-6830. Thank you!
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. 
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Click here for more information. This link will take your members directly to our website to learn more about the Safe & Sound Online Training Management tool.
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