Citizen Whip Report Legislative Day 32

“I offer my opponents a bargain: if they will stop telling lies about us, I will stop telling the truth about them.” — Adlai Stevenson

The Senate is taking up several measures that have crossed over from the House in addition to a couple of resolutions honoring President Trump and Secretary Collins. I am sure the floor debate will be something to behold.

Meanwhile the House does not have floor votes scheduled for today, however that could possibly change when the Rules Committee meets at 11:00. Sorry that I am not in a position to update y’all on the fly if that does happen.

Meanwhile, enjoy your Citizen Whip Report for Legislative Day 32.

House Bills

HB 90 – Preferential Assessment for Conservation Use Property

• Primary Sponsor: Efstration (104th)
• Committee Assignment: Finance
• Summary: This bill increases the maximum acreage that can qualify for assessment and taxation as a bona fide conservation use property from 2,000 acres to 4,000 acres.
• Definitions & Key Terms:
  • Bona fide conservation use property: Land used in good faith for agricultural or timber production.
• New Requirements or Changes to Existing Law:
  • Expands the acreage limit from 2,000 to 4,000 acres for tax assessment purposes.
  • Ensures public record classification for properties receiving the assessment.
• Who is Affected & How:
  • Landowners with conservation use property benefit from an increased tax-exempt acreage limit.
  • Local tax authorities must adjust records and assessments.
• Penalties & Enforcement:
  • No property shall qualify if a person has a beneficial interest in more than 4,000 acres under this assessment.
• Implementation & Effective Date:
  • Contingent on a constitutional amendment ratified by voters in November 2026.
  • If the amendment is not ratified, the bill is automatically repealed on January 1, 2027.

HB 89 – Maternal Mortality & Perinatal Care Reform

• Primary Sponsor: Cooper (45th)
• Committee Assignment: Health and Human Services
• Summary:
  • Requires healthcare providers, facilities, and pharmacies to provide psychiatric records to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee.
  • Establishes the Regional Perinatal Center Advisory Committee to evaluate perinatal care systems statewide.
• Definitions & Key Terms:
  • Regional Perinatal Center: A hospital designated to provide specialized maternal and infant care.
• New Requirements or Changes to Existing Law:
  • Hospitals interested in being designated as Regional Perinatal Centers must submit qualification criteria.
  • A four-year review cycle for perinatal care assessments and recommendations.
  • Amends state law to allow psychiatric record access for maternal mortality investigations.
• Who is Affected & How:
  • Hospitals & Providers must comply with new reporting and review requirements.
  • Mothers & Infants benefit from improved perinatal care and oversight.
• Penalties & Enforcement:
  • Non-compliance with reporting requirements could result in regulatory action.
• Implementation & Effective Date:
  • July 1, 2026, with updates every four years thereafter.

HB 223 – Timberlands Recovery & Disaster Relief (“TREES Act”)

• Primary Sponsor: Burchett (176th)
• Committee Assignment: Finance
• Summary:
  • Provides tax relief for standing timber in disaster areas affected by Hurricane Helene.
  • Establishes state-funded grants to local governments for lost tax revenue.
  • Creates tax exemptions and credits for reforestation and rebuilding.
• Definitions & Key Terms:
  • Disaster area: Counties designated under FEMA disaster declaration FEMA-4830-DR.
  • Eligible timber property: Land containing timber damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
• New Requirements or Changes to Existing Law:
  • Allows counties to waive property taxes on standing timber for Q4 2024 and all of 2025.
  • Grants refundable tax credits for timber replanting, capped at $200 million total.
  • Provides a sales tax exemption for materials used to rebuild greenhouses and livestock structures.
• Who is Affected & How:
  • Timberland owners receive financial relief for hurricane damage.
  • Local governments can apply for grants to recover lost tax revenue.
  • Farmers & ranchers receive tax exemptions for rebuilding.
• Penalties & Enforcement:
  • Misuse of tax relief funds is subject to state audits and repayment requirements.
• Implementation & Effective Date:
  • Effective upon governor’s approval.

House Resolution

HR 32 – Constitutional Amendment on Conservation Use Property

• Primary Sponsor: Efstration (104th)
• Committee Assignment: Finance
• Summary:
  • Proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the maximum bona fide conservation use property from 2,000 acres to 4,000 acres.
  • Mirrors the changes in HB 90 but requires voter approval.
• Definitions & Key Terms:
  • Bona fide conservation use property: Land used primarily for agriculture or timber.
• New Requirements or Changes to Existing Law:
  • Would raise the acreage limit only if voters approve the amendment in November 2026.
• Who is Affected & How:
  • Landowners could benefit from expanded tax-exempt acreage.
• Penalties & Enforcement:
  • Same as HB 90.
• Implementation & Effective Date:
  • If ratified by voters, becomes effective in January 2027.

Senate Resolutions

SR 245 – Commending Doug Collins

• Primary Sponsor: Gooch (51st)
• Committee Assignment: Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security
• Summary:
  • Commends Doug Collins on his confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
• Implementation & Effective Date:
  • A ceremonial resolution; no direct legal impact.

SR 246 – Commending President Donald J. Trump

• Primary Sponsor: Gooch (51st)
• Committee Assignment: Rules
• Summary:
  • Commends Donald J. Trump for his inauguration as 47th President of the United States.
• Implementation & Effective Date:
  • A ceremonial resolution; no direct legal impact.

SR 148 (Substitute) – Recognition of Taiwan

• Primary Sponsor: Rhett
• Committee Assignment: Rules
• Summary:
  • Recognizes Taiwan as an important U.S. ally and promotes economic and trade cooperation.
  • Encourages Georgia to establish a trade office in Taiwan.
  • Supports Taiwan’s participation in international organizations such as the WHO and INTERPOL.
• Implementation & Effective Date:
  • A ceremonial resolution; no direct legal impact.