April 4, 2018
www.gfb.org
Vol. 36 No. 7
BILLS FAVORABLE TO AG PASS GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY Georgia farmers could benefit from a number of bills passed in the 2018 session of the Georgia General Assembly, which concluded on March 30. Among them are protections for livestock producers, a clarification of rules for the Conservation Use Value Assessment (CUVA), measures to improve oversight of the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE) and setting statutory responsibilities for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Environmental Protection Division (EPD). The General Assembly also approved a number of ag-related provisions in the state budget. Language requiring consultation with animal husbandry experts before charges are filed against farmers for alleged animal cruelty, was included in House Bill 956, which was sponsored by Rep. Clay Pirkle (R-Ashburn). The livestock producer protection, which originated with Senate Bill 257 sponsored by Sen. Bill Heath (R-Bremen), sought to implement this involvement with food animal veterinarians early in an investigation to provide the best care for animals, to protect farmers from false accusations. Two measures concerning CUVA were passed in one bill and sent to the governor for final approval. Senate Bill 458, introduced by Sen. John Wilkinson (R-Toccoa), will clarify the intent of CUVA and add accountability for counties that wrongfully restrict access to the program. The bill includes language from HB 373 sponsored by Rep. David Knight (R-Griffin). Following an update to last year's inclusion of “farm entities” as qualified participants, Wilkinson's bill clarifies that farm entities are treated the same as individuals regarding the ability of those age 65 and older to pull out at a reduced penalty rate. Knight's changes specify that a new plat or survey is not required to exclude a residential area, and provides accountability by repayment of attorney fees to individuals who are wrongly charged a breach. House Bill 866, sponsored by Rep. Sam Watson (R-Moultrie), strengthens the integrity of the GATE program. The bill allows sharing of information between the Georgia Departments of Agriculture and Revenue to investigate and enforce the rules of the program. The bill also doubled the threshold qualification to $5,000 annual aggregate sales of agriculture products and moved to a $150, 3-year GATE card with the goal of ensuring only qualified users access the program. -continued on next page