Governor Brian Kemp signed 10 pieces of legislation into law this week aimed at protecting Georgia's agricultural industry and natural resources, including one designating cotton as the official state fabric.
One bill protects prescribed burning, a technique to prevent wildfires. It comes as dozens of Georgia counties remain under states of emergency as firefighters work to contain widespread wildfires around the state.
"Despite the obstacles from the past and current wildfires impacting production and farmland, our farmers and producers continue to fight the odds and keep Georgia’s number one industry growing and expanding," Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones said in a press release. "Georgia’s agriculture community has shown resilience, grit, and determination."
House Bill 983, supported by the Georgia Forestry Commission, prevents local governments from creating barriers to landowners attempting to legally perform prescribed burns.
Prescribed burns help prevent wildfires by removing dry and flammable underbrush.
A press release from Gov. Kemp's office said the bill "will help further Georgia's ongoing efforts to prevent and quickly contain wildfires at an especially critical time, as well as support foresters in managing their lands."
House Bill 1159 was also among the bills signed on Wednesday and was listed as a priority of the Kemp Administration for this legislative session.
The bill exempts payments from assistance programs like the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program and the Specialty Crop Farmers Program from state income tax.
"Georgia's farming and foresting families are some of the toughest people in our state who, despite the challenges of the past several years, have persevered and continue to put food on our tables, clothes on our backs, and provide the material for structures like our very homes," Gov. Kemp said in a press release. "I am proud to support them through measures like the ones I signed today, which will help ensure the long-term success of our state's No. 1 industry."
House Resolution 1008 was also listed as a priority of Kemp's.
The resolution will restructure the Regional Water Planning Councils and will eliminate three-year renewal terms for agreements between the councils, the Environmental Protection Division and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. They will instead be renewed on an as-needed basis.
