Legislative Session Report Week 5
February 12, 2021
State News and Updates
GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETS FOR FOUR DAYS, SETS SCHEDULE THROUGH MARCH 1
The General Assembly met for four days this week, wrapping up on Thursday. 议员们计划于2月17日星期二返回国会大厦，开始第17个立法日. An adjournment resolution was passed, setting the schedule for the 2021 legislative session through day 25 on Monday, March 1.
随着修订后的21财年预算周二在参议院获得通过，预算进程继续快速推进, was agreed to by the House on Thursday, and will now head to the Governor's desk. The $654 million increase focused on priorities of healthcare response, broadband, and education - incorporating $1,000 bonuses to most state employees and educators. Meanwhile, the House continued to work on the FY22 budget.
Georgia EMC hosted this week's Rural Caucus luncheon on Wednesday. It was a big week for the organization, 周一，该公司宣布与南方河流能源公司和Conexon公司合作，为80多名用户提供高速互联网服务,000 members in Central Georgia beginning this summer. 你可以在稍后的报道中了解更多关于合作伙伴关系和州长布莱恩·肯普的新闻发布会.
As we near the halfway point of this year's legislative session, Georgia Farm Bureau staff will continue monitoring the issues affecting our members - and Georgia’s number one industry - both under the Gold Dome and in Washington, D.C.
Speaker of the House David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) presides over the House.
POLICY TALKS PICKING UP SPEED
Having completed 16 legislative days, the session is over halfway to the important crossover day, 当法案必须在最初的议院获得通过时，它们才有资格获得最后的通过. Although there have been over 750 bills introduced so far this year, the pace has been unusually slow with the primary focus directed to the budgets. Only about 50 bills have been reported out of committees so far.
A few bills of interest to rural Georgians have been introduced thus far. HB 150, by Rep. Williamson (R-Monroe), seeks to prohibit local governments from banning the installation of certain fuel connections in construction as some cities nationwide are pursuing to meet their “green” goals. Agriculture uses a diverse portfolio of energy sources in production, as well as indirect uses from the making of fertilizers and processing plants. 乔治亚州农场局的工作人员作证支持这项法案，以确保生产者继续拥有所有可用的选择, thereby ensuring competitive pricing and low-cost energy options. Sen. Tyler Harper (R-Ocilla) has introduced two bills we will continue watching, one increasing truck weights for 6-axle timber haulers up to 100,000 lbs (SB 118) and the second that would allow the burning of vegetation piles without a burn permit if certain stipulations are followed (SB 119).
For a more complete list of bills pertinent to agriculture and rural Georgia, as well as their current status, please see the Action This Week and Bills of Interest sections below.
亚洲体育博彩平台国家事务协调员亚历克斯·布拉德福德本周早些时候作证支持众议院第150号法案
GEORGIA EMC ANNOUNCES RURAL BROADBAND INITIATIVE
On Monday afternoon, 乔治亚州中部EMC公司宣布与南方河流能源公司和Conexon公司合作，提供80,000 homes and businesses in an 18-county radius with high-speed internet access, a direct result of last session's Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega). Present for the announcement were Governor Brian Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, and Speaker David Ralston, and a host of legislators who were key in the passage of SB 2.
Through this partnership, Georgia EMC members in Bibb, Butts, Clayton, Coweta, Crawford, Fayette, Henry, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Newton, Pike, Putnam, Spalding and Upson counties will have access to high-speed internet over the next four years - some as soon as this summer. An estimated $210 million is expected to be invested in this project.
Governor Kemp has continued to make rural Georgia a priority over the course of his term and echoed that sentiment at Monday's press conference. Lt. Governor Duncan expanded on the importance of the partnership, saying that high-speed internet is now more important than ever, 特别是由于COVID-19大流行给当地社区和学校系统带来了意想不到的情况, 声称宽带是在乔治亚州农村地区成功留住人才的基础, forge economic growth and prosperity, and help rural students succeed in their educational pursuits.
With the addition of the Central Georgia EMC partnership, there are now twelve EMCs across the state that are either directly providing or partnering with other groups to provide access to high-speed internet in rural areas. To learn more about the partnership, you can view Georgia EMC's press release here.
州长肯普周一就乔治亚州EMCs农村宽带扩张的公告举行了新闻发布会.
STATE REVENUE UP 7.5% IN JANUARY
Earlier this week, 州长布莱恩·肯普的办公室公布了佐治亚州1月份的净税收总额, with an increase of $175.6 million over January 2020, puts the state revenue up by 7.5% compared to this time last year. The report also noted that year-to-date net tax collections are up 6.3% for a total of $898.1 million. The state's fiscal year began on July 1, 2020.
这对国会议员来说是个好消息，因为众议院将在未来几天敲定他们的2022财年预算. Despite the anticipated repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, state revenues for the first half of the fiscal year came in higher than expected and the legislature should be able to avoid making extensive, multi-billion dollar cuts to the FY22 budget as they did a year ago.
DIGGING IN WITH SENATE AG CHAIRMAN LARRY WALKER
Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall sat down with new Senate Ag Chairman Larry Walker last week to "dig in" to the 2021 Legislative Session and Walker's priorities for Georgia agriculture. See their conversation below!
GEORGIA STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 90 SPECIAL ELECTION
A special election was held this week for Georgia State House District 90, previously held by Pam Stephenson (D-Lithonia). Stephenson resigned from her position and candidacy in September.
There were six candidates, all democrats, vying for the seat. As no candidate received more than 50% of the roughly 3,000 votes cast, 前两名竞争者——斯坦·沃森和安吉拉·摩尔——将进入3月9日的决选.
House District 90 is based in DeKalb County. To check your district and voter registration status, click here.
ACTION THIS WEEK
HB 265:
Reps. Knight, Williamson, and Blackmon
House Bill 265 aims to clean up the state's revenue code, 该法案的很大一部分与来自联邦Covid-19救济立法的税收减免措施有关. 该法案中包括一项措施，该措施将使某些工资保护计划(PPP)贷款免税. Under SB 265, 有资格获得PPP贷款减免的企业将不需要为贷款缴纳州税, even though they count as income. The measure also lets those business owners claim tax deductions on the loans.
Passed the House on 2/9/2021. Assigned to Senate Finance Committee on 2/10/2021.
HB 336:
Reps. Corbett, Dickey, Pirkle, Jasperse, and Watson
经过两年的广泛立法，建立了格鲁吉亚的新大麻产业, HB 336是一项清理法案，旨在使乔治亚州的大麻法律与联邦标准保持一致.
Assigned to House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee on 2/9/2021.
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.
SB 119:
Sens. Harper, Goodman, Burke, Mullis, Anderson, and Walker
Under Senate Bill 119, you would not have to obtain a burn permit to burn leaf piles, yard debris, or hand-piled natural vegetation, given that you meet guidelines regarding time, location, and others.
Assigned to Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee on 2/10/2021.
SB 141:
Sens. Anavitarte, McNeill, Thompson, Robertson, Hickman, and Gooch
SB 141 would require immediate counting and tabulation of ballots following the closure of polls until counting and tabulation is completed.
Assigned to Senate Ethics Committee on 2/10/2021.
SR 83:
Sens. Miller, Gooch, Walker, Burke, and Albers
This resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution that would allow members of the House of Representatives to serve four-year terms of office and the Senate to serve six-year terms.
Assigned to Senate Government Oversight Committee on 2/10/2021.
BILLS OF INTEREST
HB 44:
Reps. Cantrell, Greene, Barr, Werkheiser, Gambill, Williams
This bill would require Georgia to observe Daylight Savings Time year round.
House State Planning and Community Affairs Committee favorably reported on 1/29/2021.
HB 90:
Reps. Williamson, Burns, Dickey, Hatchett, Morris, Watson
HB 90 seeks to address an issue that the existing 1939 statute does not appropriately cover modern forestry practices with in regards to mill purchases of cut timber and the chain of liability that follows such transactions. 这项立法得到了乔治亚银行家协会和乔治亚林业协会的支持.
Assigned to House Judiciary Committee on 1/26/2021.
HB 139:
Reps. Mainor, Dukes, McClain, Mallow, Thomas
This bill would prohibit trains from blocking any traffic crossing for longer than 15 minutes (with exceptions for safety reasons), 并且还要求在十字路口的标志上提供电话号码，以报告此类情况.
Assigned to House Transportation Committee on 1/28/2021.
HB 150:
Reps. Williamson, Hatchett, Kelley, Frazier, Parsons, Smith
In a concerning trend, some state and local authorities in the U.S. have adopted measures banning the connection of certain fuels (propane and natural gas) in new construction in an effort to reach their “carbon free” goals. HB 150 would prohibit government entities in Georgia from banning the connection of any utility service based on the type or source of fuel. GFB supports this bill, as many agricultural producers rely on these resources.
Assigned to House Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications Committee on 1/28/2021.
HB 282:
Reps. Meeks, England, Hatchett, Watson, and Dickey
This bill provides clarity to the ad valorem taxation of qualified timberland property by defining parameters for “contiguous” property, specifying how the appraised value of timberland property is calculated, 并澄清土地拥有人须向税务局局长提交的文件，以便税务局局长核证.
Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee on 2/4/2021.
SB 29:
Sen. Anavitarte
This bill would require those wishing to vote in a Georgia election by absentee ballot to include a photocopy of their driver's license, voter ID card, U.S. passport, government employee ID, military ID card, 或部落身份证，在申请缺席投票和返回时. Members of the military and overseas voters would be exempt from this requirement.
Assigned to House Ethics Committee on 1/28/2021.
SB 30:
Sens. Beach, Harbison
Senate Bill 30 would provide for pari-mutuel horse racing in the state at a limited number of licensed equestrian centers, create the Georgia Horse Racing Commission, 并对赛马及相关活动作出全面规管.
Assigned to House 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, this legislation allows the Public Service Commission and Department of Community Affairs to utilize a portion of the Universal Access Fund for such services.
Assigned to Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee on 2/2/2021.
SB 100:
Sens. Watson, Dugan, Kennedy, Miller, Au, and Burke
This bill would require Georgia to observe Daylight Savings Time year round.
Assigned to Senate Government Oversight Committee on 2/8/2021.
GEORGIA AG FORECAST PRESENTATIONS AVAILABLE
2021年格鲁吉亚农业预测网络研讨会的一般会议和分组会议的录音可供查阅 here. 您还可以使用相同的链接访问完整的《亚洲体育博彩平台》和《正规博彩网站评级》小册子. For a hard copy of Ag Snapshots, please contact your local Extension office.
Those who attended the webinar live are encouraged to complete a short survey regarding their experience so that the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences can determine the best way to proceed in delivering the Ag Forecast program moving forward. The survey can be accessed here.
Federal News and Updates
USITC BLUEBERRY IMPORT DETERMINATION
Following a lengthy investigation, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) determined this week that fresh, chilled, or frozen blueberries are not being imported into the United States in such a way as to be a substantial cause or threat of serious injury to the domestic U.S. blueberry industry. The determination resulted from a 5-0 vote from the Commission.
Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) and other allied ag organizations within the state, as well as many members of Georgia's Congressional delegation, supported this investigation and are disappointed in the Commission's decision. 美国国际贸易委员会预计将在3月29日前向总统提交包含损害裁定的报告, 2021. Upon the release of the public report, GFB staff will review and work with Georgia's producers to determine next steps.
To see USITC's press release on the investigation, click here.
U.S. HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE HOLDS FIRST MARKUP ON NEW COVID-19 AID PROPOSAL
Earlier this week, the House Agriculture Committee, chaired by Georgia Representative David Scott (D), 就拟议的Covid-19援助计划中的农业和营养部分举行了首次委员会加价. 这项160亿美元的提案星期三晚间以25票对23票通过. Its next stop on the way to the House floor will be the Budget Committee, 它负责将多个众议院委员会的和解法案整合成一个方案.
The proposal includes almost $4 billion for USDA to buy and distribute commodities, establish grants for small- to mid-sized food processors and producers, 并提供援助，以维持和改善粮食和农业供应链. It also includes an extension on the 15% increase to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through summer, among other things.
Chairman Scott released a statement regarding the committee's work on Thursday: “I am pleased that these very important provisions have been passed through the Committee, and I thank the Committee Members for their hard work during yesterday’s mark-up,” said Chairman Scott. “As I mentioned in my opening remarks yesterday, the COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything the world has ever seen. 它影响到每一个美国人，我们必须尽一切努力控制疫情蔓延. 农业委员会条款的通过使我们离解决饥饿问题又近了一步, supplying COVID-19 vaccinations to our rural communities, seeking equitable solutions for Black farmers and other farmers of color, and supporting our food and ag sector supply chains. I look forward to seeing the final passage of the full bill on the House floor soon.”
要了解有关该法案所包括内容的更多信息或查看完整文本，请单击 here.
REP. AUSTIN SCOTT BILL AIMS TO SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE CCC'S BORROWING LIMIT
Earlier this week, Georgia Representative Austin Scott (R) introduced H.R. 这将是美国商品信贷公司(CCC)借款限额的两倍多. Currently set at $30 billion, the cap has been in place since 1987. Scott’s proposal would bring the limit to a total of $68 billion, accounting for the inflation-adjusted value of the current $30 billion cap, put in place over 30 years ago.
The CCC has provided much-needed funding to farmers and ranchers since its inception. The majority of payments for many farm bill programs, as well as supplemental assistance for nutrition programs, stems from the CCC. Additionally, recent Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), Market Facilitation Program (MFP), and disaster payments have stemmed from the CCC funding umbrella. In September, Congress had to replenish the CCC as funds ran perilously low, sparking the need for a higher borrowing limit.
To learn more about Scott’s bipartisan bill, 由格鲁吉亚代表团的其他成员共同发起，并得到美国农场局联合会的支持, click here.
CFAP 2.1 APPLICATIONS DUE FEBRUARY 26
1月15日，美国农业部宣布通过冠状病毒食品援助计划提供额外援助. 自宣布这一消息以来，拜登政府已暂停处理和付款，等待审查. 在管理部门评估该计划期间，当地FSA办事处将继续接受申请. Should it be reinstated, this new assistance will include expanded eligibility for certain commodities and producers established in the recently passed relief package, 以及更新支付给那些在之前的计划中符合条件的制片人. Producers have from January 19 through February 26 to submit new applications or modify existing applications if they have participated in the program already. For more information, click here.
MARCH 15 LAST DAY TO COMPLETE ENROLLMENT FOR 2021 ARC AND PLC PROGRAMS
Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2021 must do so by March 15. Producers who have not yet signed a 2021 enrollment contract or who want to make an election change should contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to make an appointment. Program enrollment for 2021 is required in order to participate in the programs, 但2021年作物年的选举是可选的，其他方面与2020年的选举相同.
Producers who do not complete enrollment by close of business local time on Monday, March 15 will not be enrolled in ARC or PLC for the 2021 crop year and will be ineligible to receive a payment should one trigger for an eligible crop.
ARC和PLC合同可以通过电子邮件、传真或实物签署并邮寄回FSA. For more information on ARC and PLC including web-based decision tools, visit farmers.gov/arc-plc.
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, 乔治亚州农场局致力于促进和改善我们县的农业, state and nation and in continually improving and expanding our service-to-member programs which serve to enhance the quality of life for all Georgians.
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! 我们有一个简单的申请程序，你可以在几分钟内成为我们的新亚洲体育博彩平台. Click the button below or use our County Office Locator to find the office nearest you.
Georgia Farm Bureau Public Policy Department Staff
Jeffrey Harvey, Director
Joe McManus, Assistant Director
Alex Bradford, State Affairs Coordinator
Raynor Churchwell, Agricultural Programs Specialist
Tripp Cofield, National Policy Counsel
Katie Duvall, Advocacy and Policy Development Coordinator
Renee Jones, Office Coordinator
Jake Matthews, Governmental Affairs Specialist
Jeremy Taylor, Agricultural Programs Specialist
** Photos courtesy of Georgia House and Senate photography gallery.