Legislative Session Report Week 8

Subscribe to GFB's Action Alerts

GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

The General Assembly met at the Capitol this week for days 26 through 29 of the 2020 Legislative Session, with Crossover Day taking place on Thursday. In an unprecedented move, the House and 森ate both agreed to be suspended until further notice due to the quick spread of COVID-19, 的冠状病毒, 横跨整个州.

本周的前半个星期一切如常，众议院和参议院都在努力在交叉之前通过各自的议院. Due to the suspended schedule and Speaker David Ralston's wishes for all legislators to return to their homes, Friday's legislative day 29 took place in an eerily quiet, solemn fashion in which only the Speaker Ralston and Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan were present in their respective chambers to gavel in and hear new bills for the first time following Crossover Day. Prior to the announcement that the General Assembly would be suspended until further notice, the House and 森ate both released their respective schedules for the remainder of the 2020 Legislative Session, which was set to officially sine die on Thursday, 4月2日. That date will now very likely change. We will be pausing our weekly legislative reports until the General Assembly reconvenes but will share any timely information relating to the remainder of the 2020 Legislative Session as it becomes available. 

Once we return to the Capitol, we will be able to narrow our focus to the bills that made their way across the Capitol from one chamber to the other. To read about the remaining bills affecting Georgia agriculture, 以及 those that will no longer be under consideration this 2020 Legislative Session, please see the Action This Week, 利息账单, and Bills That Did Not Cross Over sections below.

HOUSE BILL 545 REMAINS TABLED IN THE SENATE    

With all of the commotion surrounding Crossover Day and 的冠状病毒, House Bill 545 remained tabled in the 森ate this week. Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) 公共政策 staff and allied industry groups continue to work both in and out of the Capitol to squash misinformation and educate legislators and consumers on the true intent of the bill. 

Our members have remained steadfast in their efforts to advocate for the bill and their right to farm. 我们感谢那些在社交媒体和其他新闻媒体上通过农场视频和推荐分享他们个人故事的人. The fight is not over - in fact, it is imperative that we continue to push the issue within the General Assembly until the bill is passed. Misinformation from environmental groups continues to inundate the halls of the Capitol, and we must continue to negate these false statements with facts. If you have not taken to social media to share your own story, we encourage you to do so. Be sure to tag your legislators and include the hashtag #ProtectMyFarm in any posts that you make or share.

GFB has created a landing page to aid in the promotion of House Bill 545. 请将此页分享给你们的议员，以便他们熟悉该法案，并揭穿反对派所宣传的任何神话. Agriculture is the number one industry in the state of Georgia. Without a strong right to farm law, our farmers could be subjected to frivolous nuisance lawsuits, which could upend their operations and bankrupt their families. It is vital that we pass House Bill 545 to preserve the production of 食物 and fiber in our state.

那些反对众议院545号法案的人并没有放弃破坏该法案的努力，并危及格鲁吉亚头号工业的未来. Our strength as an organization lies in our membership - it is our grassroots advocacy that can, 并将, push House Bill 545 across the finish line. 点击下面的“采取行动”按钮，联系你的立法者，鼓励他们在会议重新召开时支持众议院545号法案.

采取行动

HOUSE PASSES AMENDED FY2021 BUDGET

This week, the House passed the amended FY2021 budget. Updates to the original budget are as follows:

Department of Agriculture
恢复6美元,391,909 of the Governor’s recommended cut to the Department’s total budget, resulting in a minor cut of ($149,942). 

The House passed budget includes:

• 为两名动物产业检查员和五名食品安全检查员提供资金，并从空缺职位中取消各种职位. 
• Salary adjustments to address a 17% turnover rate among inspectors – $580,057
• Development of the Georgia Hemp Program per HB 213 – $500,000
• Reduces cut for Georgia Grown Marketing from ($920,765) to ($348,000).
• 乔治亚州的土壤 & Water -加个E&S Plan Reviewer Position

Department of Revenue
Includes Forestland Protection Grants for counties – $14,072,351

UGA Cooperative Extension
Restored $2,518,786 to the total budget, resulting in a 2.01% cut instead of the Governor’s 5.建议削减22%.

• Maintains funds for jointly funded positions with UGA Experiment: three crop and soil science positions, 一个昆虫学家, 食物 science position, 植物病理学家, and two public service positions.
• Maintains state funds for 21 research positions to support the agriculture industry. 
• Maintains 10 extension agent positions. 

UGA Experiment Station
Restored $2,406,998 to the total budget, resulting in a 1.25% cut instead of the Governor’s 3.建议削减86%.

• Maintains 21 research positions that support the agriculture industry. 

林业委员会
Restored $572,546 to the total budget, resulting in a 2.38% cut instead of the Governor’s 3.建议削减42%.

Georgia General Obligation Bonds

• $2.5M, 20-year bonds for renovations at Daisy Lewis Cabin at Camp John Hope & Mobley Hall at Georgia FFA/FCCLA Center.
• $2.2M, 5-year bonds for Phase 1 of the Poultry Science Complex at UGA. 
• $1.1M, 5-year bonds Agriculture Facilities – ABAC
• 林业委员会: firefighting equipment, vehicles, facility renovations – $4.25M
• Georgia Department of Agriculture: farmers markets, Georgia National Fair, etc. $2.66M.

FARM RECOVERY BLOCK GRANT APPLICATIONS OPEN MARCH 18, HOUSE BILL 105 PASSED

At the end of February, Governor Kemp announced details surrounding the $347 million in federal block grant funds that the state has secured to combat the devastation incurred by Hurricane Michael. More than 16 months after the storm, the state will begin accepting applications for block grant funds next week.

Georgia farmers and forest landowners in 95 eligible counties, who suffered losses to beef, 乳制品, 水果和蔬菜, 山核桃, 家禽, 木材, and uninsured infrastructure, will need to enroll in the recovery program beginning March 18. The federal block grants seek to help recover losses not covered under existing USDA Farm Service Agency programs. A map of eligible counties is below.

Only online applications will be accepted. While mobile phones may be used to sign up and log in, 我们强烈建议申请人使用电脑完成申请，以确保正确上传和附件所需文件. All applications must be completed and submitted by April 8, 2020.

Between now and March 18, we encourage you to use the application guide to begin collecting relevant documents and information so that you will be able to submit your application quickly and efficiently when the sign up period begins. We also invite you to visit the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Farm Recovery website 在这里.

另外, this week the House agreed to the 森ate's amended version of Representative Sam Watson's House Bill 105. It is now headed to the Governor's desk for for his signature. HB 105免除了美国农业部与“迈克尔”飓风有关的救灾支付或项目的支付，免除了州所得税. Georgia Farm Bureau commends Rep. Watson 以及 the entire General Assembly for their support of this bill and much needed recovery for Georgia's farmers.

USDA OPENS WILDFIRES AND HURRICANE INDEMNITY PROGRAM PLUS (WHIP+)

Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced additional disaster assistance available to agricultural producers, including producers impacted by drought and excess moisture. Through WHIP+, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is helping producers recover from losses related to 2018 and 2019 natural disasters.

美国农业部农业服务局(FSA)将于3月23日开放注册，让生产者申请符合条件的干旱损失(D3或以上)和过量水分损失. 

“It’s true that farmers and ranchers are no strangers to the impact natural disasters have on their operations, but disaster events the past two years have been atypically widespread, relentless and unforgiving,” Secretary Perdue said. “在某些情况下, producers have suffered multiple disaster events in one year or in several years back-to-back. 我很高兴国会授权美国农业部继续向过去几年损失惨重的生产者提供急需的援助. President Trump has the backs of our farmers, and we aim to support them as they recover.”

2019年6月, more than $3 billion was made available through a disaster relief package passed by Congress and signed by President Trump. 2019年12月, 国会通过了, and President Trump signed the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 that provides an additional $1.5 billion for the continuation of disaster assistance program delivery.

WHIP+ New Qualifying Disaster 事件
The Appropriations bill added excessive moisture and D3 and D4 drought as qualifying losses for WHIP+ assistance.

3月23日开始, 在2018年和/或2019年遭受上述任何一种损失的生产商可以向当地FSA办公室申请WHIP+援助. 对干旱, 如果发生损失的县的任何地区在美国被评为D3(极端干旱)或更高，那么生产者就有资格.S. Drought Monitor during calendar years 2018 or 2019.

WHIP+ for Quality Loss
除了, 生产者报告说，由于符合条件的灾害事件，农作物质量普遍下降，在销售受损作物时导致价格扣减或罚款. The Appropriations bill expands WHIP+ to include assistance for crop quality loss. FSA is gathering data and input from producers and stakeholders regarding the extent and types of quality loss nationwide.

“Providing assistance for quality loss is complicated, and we are actively gathering data and input on how to administer quality loss assistance for producers,” said Farm Production and Conservation Undersecretary Bill Northey.

资格

To be eligible for WHIP+, producers must have suffered losses of certain crops, 树, 灌木, or vines in counties with a Presidential Emergency Disaster Declaration or a Secretarial Disaster Designation (primary counties only) for the following named natural disaster events; hurricanes, 洪水, 龙卷风, 台风, 火山活动, 暴风雪, 森林大火, and now excessive moisture that occurred in 2018 or 2019. 也, losses located in a county not designated by the Secretary as a primary county may be eligible if the producer provides documentation showing that the loss was due to a qualifying natural disaster event.

对干旱, 在2018年或2019年的任何时间，该县任何部分具有D3或D4干旱监测分类的县也将符合资格.

A list of counties that received qualifying hurricane declarations and designations is available at farmers.gov/recover/whip-plus. 美国.S. Drought Monitor is available at droughtmonitor.多人.edu.

Because livestock losses are covered by other disaster recovery programs offered through FSA, these losses are not eligible for WHIP+.

USTR TO HOST TRADE HEARING ON APRIL 9TH IN VALDOSTA 

美国贸易代表办公室(USTR)的官员将在瓦尔多斯塔的雨水会议中心主持现场听证会, GA on April 9 at 9:00 a.m. to discuss foreign trade practices that may be harming American growers. 美国贸易代表办公室希望在这个问题上听取格鲁吉亚农民的意见，并更多地了解特朗普政府如何支持生产者并纠正任何不公平的损害. U.S. Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) and officials from the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Agriculture are expected to participate in the field hearing. 我们鼓励受到潜在不公平贸易做法影响的亚洲体育博彩平台(GFB)成员参加会议, 因为这将是一个与有权调查此类事件的联邦官员直接分享你个人故事的绝佳机会. If you would like to learn more about the field hearing or find out what you need to do in order to participate, 我们邀请您 点击这里 to review the meeting notice from USTR. You may also contact GFB’s 公共政策 Department for further information. 

GFB PRESIDENTS' TRIP TO WASHINGTON CANCELED

As an abundance of caution and protection of our members amid the COVID-19 outbreak, it has been determined that the 2020 Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Presidents' Trip to Washington, originally scheduled for March 31 - 4月2日, 不会发生. We always look forward to this trip and the opportunity it provides for our county leaders to be able to meet with their members of Congress to advocate for the needs of Georgia farmers. 然而, with the virus spreading at a rapid rate, Capitol Hill has closed itself to visitors, 这个地区很可能很快就会有大批议员离开，因为他们会在这段时间回家与家人团聚. We feel that it is in our organization's best interest to not move forward with the trip at this time. We anticipate additional trips to Washington, D.C. later this year, but those details have not yet been arranged. We appreciate our members for understanding this decision, and look forward to bringing our presidents to D.C. 明年再说一次.

本周行动

HB 545: Right to Farm
代表. McCall, Burns, England, Watson, Pirkle, and Dickey
This legislation seeks to strengthen and protect farmers from loopholes in our states right to farm laws. 这种语言上的澄清有助于生产者，因为它澄清了那些模糊的、可能被解释为不利于农业的语言.
Passed the House on 3/7/19. 森ate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute on 2/5/20.

HB 690: Exempting Agricultural Structures From Permitting Fees
代表. Burchett, McCall, Pirkle, Rhodes, Corbett
This bill seeks to exempt agricultural structures from excess permitting fees.
Passed the House by Substitute on 3/12/20.

HB 886: Animal Microchips and Reporting
代表. Welch, McCall, Knight
This bill would require veterinarians or veterinary technicians that provide treatment to animals to scan such animals' microchips and to report ownership information under certain circumstances.
Passed the House on 3/12/20.

HB 1015: Georgia Carbon Sequestration Registry Tax Credits
允许将建筑材料和木材产品列入乔治亚州碳封存登记处以获得税收抵免.
Passed the House by Substitute on 3/12/20.

HB 1057: Regulation of Soil Amendments
代表. Rhodes, Fleming, Erwin, Frye
This bill would authorize further regulation of soil amendments derived from industrial by-产品 by local governments.
Passed the House by Substitute on 3/12/20.

HB 1093: Establishing an Agricultural Commodity Commission for Wine and Grapes
代表. Meeks, McCall, Pirkle, Ridley, Watson
This bill would allow for the establishment of an Agricultural Commodity Commission for Wine and Grapes.
Passed the House on 3/12/20.

SB 338: Animal Protection
森s. Kirkpatrick, Black, Walker, Cowsert, Anderson, Sims
This bill would require licenses for pet dealers, kennels, stables, etc., and would also allow the Commissioner to promulgate rules and regulations for animal protection. 
Passed the 森ate on 3/10/20.

SB 358: Muscadine as State Grape
森s. Harper, Sims, Burke, Walker, Black, Karinshak
This bill would designate the muscadine grape as the official state grape.
Passed the 森ate on 3/10/20.

SB 362: Livestock Straying
森s. Wilkinson, Anderson, Harper, Burke, Rahman
该法案将改变扣押动物和处理被扣押的乱跑或流浪动物的费用.
Passed the 森ate on 2/28/20. House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee Favorably Reported on 3/12/20.

SB 381: Georgia Food Act
森s. Kirkpatrick, Burke, Black, Walker, Wilkinson, Rahman
This would deem certain information obtained by the Department of Agriculture from the Federal Food and Drug Administration confidential and not subject to disclosure.
Passed the 森ate on 3/10/20.

IFARM. IVOTE.

This year is a significant one in Georgia as we are positioned to elect a President and not one, 但有两个, U.S. 森ators, 以及 a number of U.S. 代表. As Election Day nears, 乔治亚州农场局的公共政策小组将让你了解政治舞台上正在发生的事情，以确保你准备好接受良好的教育, informed decisions at the ballot box. 

Presidential Primary
Georgia's Presidential Primary will be held on Tuesday, March 24. The deadline to register to vote in the primary was February 24, 2020. Visit the Georgia Secretary of State's website to check your voter registration status. Other key dates related to Georgia's Presidential Primary are below.

• 3月14日: 周六的投票
• 3月24日: Georgia's Presidential Primary

KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S "GROWING ON" IN GEORGIA AGRICULTURE

Hosted by John Holcomb, 杰伊•斯通, 还有凯蒂·杜瓦尔, "Growing On" is a new podcast produced by Georgia Farm Bureau, covering agriculture related issues and topics to help promote and advocate for Georgia agriculture 以及 educate consumers about the production of 食物 and modern farming practices. 

听现在

利息账单

HB 23: EMC Authorization to Provide Broadband Services
代表. Houston, Powell, England, Watson, Corbett, and Greene
House Bill 23 is another bill to come out of the Rural Development Council. This bill authorizes electric membership corporations (EMC) to establish or partner with another entity to provide broadband services to its members independent from its electrical services. This bill will also allow for EMCs to apply for federal grants to provide broadband.
Passed the House on 2/11/19. Assigned to Regulated Industries and Utilities.

HB 455: Georgia Agriculture Marketing Authority
代表. Houston, England, McCall, Gilliard, and Stovall
This bill creates the Georgia Agriculture Marketing Authority, the purpose of the authority is to manage the facilities and activities of farmers markets. 管理局将向农业企业和公众推销和推广农产品，以促进该州的经济发展.
Passed the House on 3/5/19. Assigned to 森ate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.

HB 777: Tall Mass Timber Construction
代表. Corbett, Burns, McCall, England, Smith, LaRiccia
This bill would allow for the Department of Community Affairs to review the 2021 International Building Code so as to consider amending the state minimum standard codes to allow tall mass 木材 construction types.
Passed the House on 2/20/20. 森ate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Favorably Reported on 3/05/20. 

HB 829: Authorize Reduction of Residential Homestead Property Assessment
代表. Stephens and Harrell
This bill would allow for local governments to hold a referendum to reduce the 40% assessment of residential homestead property owned by those aged 65 or older to only 20%. This would only apply to local school district taxes for 教育al purposes. 
Passed the House by Substitute on 3/03/20. Assigned to 森ate Finance Committee on 3/04/20

HB 847: Hemp Regulation Updates
代表. Corbett, McCall, Dickey, Pruett, and Gilliard
本次更新的大麻立法，通过上届立法会议作出技术调整，以符合联邦规则, creates a new license for a hemp nursery grower allowing sale to another permittee, sets the initial processor permit fee at $25,000, increases the automatic renewal fee from $10,000 to $50,000 after the first calendar year, and establishes a sampling test requirement prior to harvest.
Passed the House by Substitute on 3/05/20.

HB 882: Tax Exemption for Food Banks
代表. Houston, Rich, Corbett, Greene, Cheokas
This bill would eliminate the sunset period for the exemption from state and certain local sales and use taxes for the sale of 食物 and 食物 ingredients to qualified 食物 banks and for the use of 食物 and 食物 ingredients donated to qualified nonprofit agencies. 它还将扩大对捐赠给合格非营利机构的食品和食品配料的使用豁免，包括救灾.
Passed the House on 3/04/20. Assigned to 森ate Finance Committee on 3/05/20.

HB 897: Uniform Timber Harvest Ordinance
代表. Burchett, Burns, McCall, Corbett, Rhodes, Watson
这将在全州范围内制定统一的木材采伐条例，并由佐治亚州林业委员会建立全州范围内的通知程序. 
Passed the House on 3/04/20. Assigned to 森ate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/05/20.

HB 966: Regulating the Harvest and Sale of Palmetto Berries
森s. Burchett, Corbett, Pirkle, McCall, Ridley, Rhodes
This bill would regulate the harvest, sale, and personal home use of palmetto berries. 
Passed the House by Substitute on 3/03/20. Assigned to 森ate Natural Resources and Environment Committee on 3/04/20.

SB 211: Meat Labeling
森s. Harper, Wilkinson, Black, Anderson, Walker, Heath
This bill will prohibit the sale and advertisement of nonanimal and non-slaughtered animal flesh from being called meat.
Passed the 森ate on 3/7/19. Assigned to House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs.

SB 346: State Board of Veterinary Medicine
森s. Black, Burke, Anderson, Harrell, Payne
This bill would allow for the addition of a veterinary technician to the State Board of Veterinary Medicine 以及 provide a professional health program for impaired veterinarians.
Passed the 森ate on 3/03/20. Assigned to House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/04/20.

SB 396: Pecan as State Nut
森s. Walker, Wilkinson, Black, Anderson, Hill, Burke
This bill would designate the 山核桃 as the official state nut.
Passed the 森ate on 3/02/20. Assigned to House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee on 3/03/20.

SB 407: Regulating the Harvest and Sale of Palmetto Berries
森s. Harper, Heath, Burke, Harrell, Ginn
This bill would regulate the harvest, sale, and personal home use of palmetto berries. 
Assigned to Natural Resources and Environment.

BILLS THAT DID NOT CROSS OVER

The following bills did not cross chambers 并将 no longer be under consideration for the 2020 Legislative Session. 

HB 13:牲畜 & Rodeo Sales Tax Exemption
代表. Williams, Mathiak, McCall, Blackmon, and 琼斯
This bill will provide an exemption from sales tax on the entry fee or admission of non-profit livestock, 马了, or rodeo events and exhibits. This exemption will apply to any participation fees paid for entrants and any admission paid by the public.
Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee.

HB 22: Telephone Cooperatives Authorization for Broadband Services
代表. Houston, Powell, England, Watson, Corbett, and Greene
House Bill 22 is a bill that comes from a recommendation of the Rural Development Council. This bill will authorize telephone cooperatives and their broadband affiliates to provide broadband services to its members, 以及, apply for federal grants to provide broadband.
Assigned to House Economic Development and Tourism Committee.

HB 49: Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District Interbasin Transfers
代表. Morris, 琼斯, Tanner, Lumsden, Powell, and Carpenter
House Bill 49 relates to water supply and water conservation plan in the Metropolitan Georgia Water Planning District to allow for certain interbasin transfers on rivers with an annual flow of at least 15 billion gallons per day at the withdrawal point.
Assigned to House Natural Resources and Environment Committee.
 
HB 104: Boll Weevil Eradication Tax Exemption
代表. Watson, Powell, McCall, Meeks, and Pirkle
This bill would propose a constitutional amendment to provide the Boll Weevil Eradication program an ad valorem tax exemption for all of their supplies used for trapping, 引诱, 吸引, 和杀虫剂, as it regards to detecting and preventing the return of boll weevils.
Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee.

 
HB 286: Right to Repair
代表. Turner, Pirkle, and Dickey
House Bill 286 is known as the Right to Repair Act. This bill would require a manufacturer to provide documents, 工具, and parts that are necessary for diagnostic, 维护, or repair services on digital electronic equipment to independent service providers.
Assigned to House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.
 
HB 371: Securing Animals in the Back of Motor Vehicles
代表. Drenner, McCall, Powell, Williams, Trammell
This bill would require a person to secure or contain a live animal in the back of a motor vehicle if the vehicle is within the arc of Interstate 285 and on any portion on Interstates 20,75 or 85 or Georgia Highway 400.
Assigned to House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.

HB 592: Surface Mining in FLPA
代表. Meeks, Corbett, England, and Rhodes
众议院第592号法案规定，在某些情况下，短期露天矿物开采不被视为违反《正规博彩网站评级》. The property would remain under the covenant only if they return the property to premining condition within three years.
Assigned to Natural Resources and Environment.

HB 709: Daylight Savings Time
代表. Cantrell, Burns, Trammell, Gravley, McCall, Caldwell
House Bill 709 would allow for a referendum election to determine whether or not the state should continue to observe Daylight Savings Time or observe Standard Time year-round.
Assigned to State Planning and Affairs.

HB 850: Uniform Referendums for Local Option Sales Taxes
代表. Ridley, Harrell, Jasperse, Tarvin, Gravley, Gullett
This would require all referendums on local option sales tax to be held in November general elections.
Assigned to Ways and Means.

HB 919: Tax Deduction on Timber Casualty Losses
代表. Hatchett, Jasperse, Burns, England, McCall, Watson
该法案将根据木材价值的减少，从格鲁吉亚的应纳税收入中扣除木材伤亡损失的数额. 
Assigned to Ways and Means.

HB 926: Waste Management Tire Disposal Restrictions and Fees
代表. Rogers, Lott, LaRiccia, Corbett, Reeves
This would increase certain solid waste disposal surcharges, 特别是有关废物管理的轮胎处置限制和费用，并将增加某些轮胎处置费用.
Natural Resources and Environment Favorably Reported by Substitute on 3/05/20.

HR 930: Endorse Stand4Forests Platform and its Objectives
代表. 吉利亚德和克拉克 
This resolution seeks to support the objectives of Stand4Forests, who oppose forestry practices and the use of forest 产品 under the justification of climate change, 污染, socioeconomic impacts, 还有其他原因.
Assigned to House Natural Resources and Environment Committee.

SB 45: "Rural Georgia Jobs and Growth Act"
森s. 海滩,B. 琼斯, Mullis, Harbison, E. 琼斯,西姆斯
森ate Bill 45 would provide for pari-mutuel horse racing in the state at a limited number of licensed equestrian centers, create the Georgia Horse Racing Commission, and provide for the comprehensive regulation of pari-mutuel horse racing and related activities.
Assigned to State Institutions and Property.

SB 76: Veterinary Nurses
森s. Black, Wilkinson, Harper, Anderson, Burke, and Karinshak
This bill has been proposed in order to change terms used by the State Board of Veterinarians. This bill would change the term veterinary technician to veterinary nurses.
Assigned to 森ate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.

SB 461: Regulation of Soil Amendments
森s. Anderson, Black, Dugan, Ginn, Stone, B. 琼斯
This bill would authorize further regulation of soil amendments derived from industrial by-产品 by local governments.
Assigned to Natural Resources and Environment on 2/28/20. 

SR 84: Propose Pari-mutuel Betting on Horse Racing
森. 海滩
森ate Resolution 84 proposes an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by law for pari-mutuel betting on horse racing and to provide for the disposition of licensing and taxation revenues from such activities.
Assigned to Economic Development and Tourism.

SR 818: Right to Register and Vote
森s. Dolezal, Brass, Robertson, Miller, Gooch, Harper
SR 818 proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Georgia so as to clarify that only citizens of the United States shall have a right to vote in elections in this state.
Tabled in the 森ate on 3/12/20.

CENSUS 2020: YOU FARM. 你数.

In late March, you will begin receiving requests to complete the 2020 Census. 乔治亚州农场局很自豪能与州长的全面统计委员会合作，鼓励我们的成员及时完成人口普查. The 2020 Census will be the first year you can fill out your census online.

The census website is safe, secure and confidential. The census provides critical data that lawmakers, 企业主, 老师, and many others use to provide daily services, 产品, and support for you and your community. The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of 代表, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

除了 to shaping legislative districts, the census dictates how key funds are distributed. The federal government distributes over $675 billion dollars to states based on the population for healthcare, 食物, 教育, 和道路. Key programs using census data to drive funding include:

• Federal Medical Assistance Programs (FMAP)
• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
• 医疗亚洲体育博彩平台B部分
• Highway Planning and Construction
• The Federal Pell Grant Program
• Cooperative Extension Service

Georgia’s rural assistance programs received more than $1.4 billion annually in the federal FY 2016.

Census Dates to Remember:

• 2020年3月: The Census Bureau will begin mailing invitations to participate in the 2020 Census to homes. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, 通过电话, 或邮寄.
• 2020年4月1日: Census Day is observed nationwide. By this date, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. When you respond to the census, you tell the Census Bureau w在这里 you live as of 2020年4月1日.
• 2020年4月: Census takers begin visiting college students who live on campus, people living in senior centers, and others who live among large groups of people. Census takers also begin conducting quality check interviews to help ensure an accurate count.
• 2020年5月: The Census Bureau begins visiting homes that haven't responded to the 2020 Census to make sure everyone is counted.
• 2020年8月: The online form of the Census will close.
• 2020年12月: The Census Bureau delivers apportionment counts to the President and Congress as required by law.
• 2021年3月31日: By this date, the Census Bureau will send redistricting counts to states. This information is used to redraw legislative districts based on population changes.

值得记住的日子

• 3月24日: Georgia's Presidential Primary
• 3月24日: National Ag Day
• 4月2日-4: Georgia Cattlemen's Convention, Perry

公共政策 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, 宣传 and Policy Development Coordinator
Renee 琼斯, Office Coordinator
Blake Raulerson, Governmental Affairs Specialist
Jeremy Taylor, Agricultural Programs Specialist

 连接 to the Capitol