On Monday, May 10, 2021, Gov. Brian Kemp completed the signing of bills for the 2021 Legislative Session. Of the ones related to Georgia’s agriculture industry, seven of which went through the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee and one was sponsored by Sen. Larry Walker (R – Perry), Chairman of the Committee.
“Georgia’s agribusiness is a linchpin of our state’s economy and fundamental to our daily lives,” said Sen. Walker. “From the food on our tables, the clothes in our closets and shelter over our heads, we depend on Georgia farmers and foresters, with the support of a myriad of allied businesses, to supply our needs. The pandemic highlighted the resilience of our state’s farmers and our dependence on them, and this past session I had the privilege of guiding discussions on how we, as a state, can encourage innovation and expand opportunities in this critical industry. I believe the legislation we passed and the Governor signed will foster continued progress and, as always, I am grateful for my committee members who worked tirelessly, in a bi-partisan manner, to advance pro-ag public policy in support of Georgia’s largest industry.”
A brief summary of the associated bills can be viewed below:
- Senate Bill 195: adjusts the powers and duties of the Medical Cannabis Commission.
- Senate Bill 222: designates the pecan as the official state nut.
- Senate Bill 247: revises provisions of the Agriculture Commodity Commissions, including the use of remote participation and public notice requirements for the Farmers Consumers Market Bulletin.
- House Bill 153: requires notice to be provided on written solicitations for services related to corporate filings.
- House Bill 336: revises the definition of “processing” in regards to hemp farming in order to remove traditional farming practices.
- House Bill 498: expands ad valorem property tax exemptions for qualified farm products to include family owned farm entities that consist of two merging farms, so long as they both qualify independently. HB 498 went through the Senate Finance Committee.
- House Bill 676: provides for the Farmers’ Markets Legislative Advisory Committee.
- House Bill 693: establishes instances in which a farm tractor or implement of husbandry is given the right-of-way.
A full list of the legislation signed by Gov. Kemp, including their text, can be viewed at the following link:https://gov.georgia.gov/executive-action/legislation/signed-legislation/2021-signed-legislation.