By Clint Thompson
Georgia’s legislative session was a “solid session for agriculture.” That’s the view shared by Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley following the session’s conclusion last week.
“I would score the 2026 legislative session as a solid session for agriculture. We really went in with a goal of holding court and making sure there was no harm done to the industry. We had several big asks over the last couple of years so we went in on an election year knowing that it would be more of a red meat fight over different issues that impact everybody’s campaign,” Bentley said. “We went in holding our breath, just making sure we could protect the industry where we could.”
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has 40 days to review all legislation passed during the session. He can sign bills into law, veto them or allow them to become law without his signature. Significant ag funding was included in the final budget, which totaled $38.5 billion for the upcoming fiscal year.
“Overall, it was a successful session and glad to get it done. They went late into the evening, 1:30 in the morning. Glad to see that completed and look forward to being involved in the process now to see who comes back next year,” Bentley said.
Key Ag Appropriations
A few of the key appropriations impacting agriculture and forestry included:
Georgia Department of Agriculture
- $450,000 – Maintained funding to address emerging threats impacting the agricultural industry
- $2.1 million – Maintained funding for recruitment and retention of Consumer Protection positions
- $80,000 – Funds for emerging pepper weevil threat
- $1,130,064 – Maintained funding for agricultural projects
- $200,000 – To the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission for the feral hog eradication program
University System of Georgia
- $450,000 – Maintained funding for two College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences faculty positions and one staff position
- $160,000 – Increased funding to support peanut and cotton breeding programs at the University of Georgia
- $345,000 – Maintained funding for five Agriculture and Natural Resources county extension agents
- $500,000 – Maintained funding for Georgia Tech Research Institute to support post-harvest technology research for the peanut industry
Department of Natural Resources
- $1,000,000 – Increased funding for a public-private feral hog management pilot program
- $150,000 – Funding to consolidate the feral hog task force
The session also included significant tax provisions for all Georgians. HB 463 includes Gov. Kemp’s priority to reduce the state income tax rate from 5.19% to 4.99%. The bill will also increase standard deductions for individuals and married couples filing jointly.
HB 1000 provides immediate economic relief through tax refunds, up to $500 for qualified families and $250 for individual fliers.
Source: Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association