Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp emphasized the resilience of the state’s farmers and foresters as he signed legislation to provide relief and support for agriculture and forestry in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
“Our farmers and foresters are tough people,” said Brian P. Kemp, according to Lieutenant Governor of Georgia.
According to a press release, Kemp, alongside state officials and legislators, signed three bills aimed at aiding Georgia’s agriculture and forestry sectors in their recovery efforts. House Bill 223 offers tax relief on federal crop and disaster payments, creates a reforestation tax credit, allows local governments to temporarily suspend harvest taxes, and expands Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE) benefits to cover materials for rebuilding damaged agricultural structures.
“Their commitment to moving forward after all they’ve faced is an inspiration to us all,” Kemp said. “There is still more work to be done, but I’m proud to sign these bills and deliver on our promises to the men and women who are the backbone of our state. I’m also grateful for the dedicated efforts of all of our partners in the General Assembly whose steadfast leadership and determination helped make today possible.”
Kemp also signed Senate Bill 201, which aims to enhance consumer protections in post-disaster contracting, and House Bill 143, which transfers responsibility for installing and maintaining agricultural water meters from farmers back to the state.
Governor Brian P. Kemp is serving as the 83rd Governor of Georgia since taking office in 2019. A native of Athens, Georgia, he began his career over 35 years ago as a small business owner. According to his website, during his tenure, Georgia experienced significant economic growth with record-breaking job creation and investments. As the first state to reopen its economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia maintained low unemployment rates while continuing to be recognized as a top state for business. Kemp was re-elected in 2022 with a focus on addressing inflation, public safety, education, and tax cuts.
