When Hurricane Helene struck Georgia in September 2024, the storm caused significant damage to rural communities, affecting farms, families, and local businesses. The agricultural and forestry sectors, which contribute over $70 billion annually to Georgia’s economy, were particularly hard hit.
Senator Larry Walker III (R–Perry) described visiting affected areas where residents faced challenges beyond physical repairs. He noted that recovery efforts were essential not only for restoring property but also for preserving a way of life and maintaining the state’s economic stability.
In response to the disaster, the Georgia General Assembly prioritized disaster recovery during its 2025 legislative session. Three bills—House Bill 223, Senate Bill 201, and House Bill 143—were signed into law with bipartisan support from Governor Brian Kemp, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, and other legislators.
“These aren’t abstract policies or political talking points. They are real, practical lifelines for farmers and foresters still picking up the pieces,” said Walker.
House Bill 223 exempts federal crop loss and disaster payments from state income tax. It also creates a reforestation tax credit to help timber landowners replant lost trees and allows local governments to temporarily pause harvest tax collections on storm-damaged timber. The bill expands the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE) to include building materials for storm repairs for poultry, livestock, and greenhouse producers.
Senate Bill 201 aims to protect homeowners from fraudulent contractors after natural disasters by strengthening consumer protections when signing contracts for repairs. “SB 201 sets more explicit rules for legitimate contractors while protecting families from those who would take advantage of them at their most vulnerable,” Walker stated.
House Bill 143 transfers responsibility for installing and maintaining agricultural water meters back to the state government instead of individual farmers. This change is intended to reduce financial burdens on farmers already coping with losses from the hurricane.
Governor Kemp commented at the bill signing: “Their commitment to moving forward after all they’ve faced is an inspiration to us all.”
Despite these legislative measures, recovery in many parts of Georgia continues as communities work toward rebuilding homes and livelihoods damaged by Hurricane Helene.
Walker concluded by expressing pride in his district’s resilience: “As long as I’m serving you under the Gold Dome, I’ll keep showing up for rural Georgia… because that’s what neighbors do.”
