Georgia Agribusiness Council Shares Priorities as Legislative Session Begins
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The Georgia General Assembly officially begins its legislative session this week, and agricultural leaders across the state are closely watching developments that could impact farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities. Ahead of the session, representatives with the Georgia Agribusiness Council shared insight into what may shape the months ahead under the Gold Dome.
The upcoming session coincides with an election year, adding an extra layer of complexity to the legislative process. As Will Bentley with the Georgia Agribusiness Council explained, “We’ll be up for re-election as well and some of them are running for higher office so it’s going to be an interesting session. I don’t know how much will get done, I think there will be a lot of red meat tossed around out there as people are trying to run further towards their bases as the primary season goes on.”
Despite the political dynamics, Bentley said the Georgia Agribusiness Council remains focused on advocating for policies that protect and strengthen the state’s agriculture industry. “But we certainly have some priorities as always to kind of protect and advocate on behalf of agriculture and make sure our industry is protected,” he said.
One of the primary areas of focus this session is expected to be tax policy, particularly as it relates to agricultural land and long-term sustainability. “I’d expect to see some stuff regarding taxes, making sure property taxes are in a favorable position for agriculture to remain sustainable in the future,” Bentley noted. Property tax policy continues to be a critical issue for Georgia farmers facing rising input costs and land values.
Bentley also anticipates discussions around emerging policy trends seen in other states. “I think we will expect to see some of the red meat type things that we’ve seen in other states around MAHA, maybe food labeling, things like that,” he said. These issues could have broad implications for producers, processors, and consumers alike.
Ultimately, the Georgia Agribusiness Council hopes lawmakers will engage in constructive dialogue. “We’re hoping it can be a productive conversation instead of something that’s harmful to our industry, something that shows that agriculture is the solution to a lot of our problems, especially in the countryside and rural America.”
As the session unfolds, agriculture stakeholders will be watching closely to see how legislation advances and what it may mean for Georgia’s leading industry.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.