Page 28 - Georgia Forestry - Issue 3 - Summer 2022
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GFA President and CEO Andres Villegas said that these survey results heavily influenced the development of the GFA’s policy priorities going into the 2022 Legislative Session.
“Supply chain issues, which consumers are feeling every day, are playing out on the state level with a shortage of truck drivers in the face of increased demand for wood prod- ucts and other commodities. These issues are compounded in Georgia, which has the lowest hauling weights in the southeast and some of the highest tax and insurance rates,” Villegas said. “Our advocacy efforts at the state level this year have been focused on developing policy to deliver relief to this sector, which is most vulnerable to economic factors that are outside of its control.”
During the 2022 Legislative Session, the GFA championed House Bill 997, sponsored by Rep. Sam Watson (R-Moultrie), which
provides an ad valorem tax exemption for owners of equipment used for forestry, logging, site preparation or reforestation. This exemption has been enjoyed by owners of farm/agricultural equipment since the passage of a statewide referendum in 2000; however, owners of forestry equipment were not included at that time.
HB 997 passed both chambers of the General Assembly with bipartisan support and will now head to the November General Election Ballot, where voters will decide whether it should fully pass.
“It’s really about fairness,” said Rep. Watson. “We all depend on foresters and farmers for our survival and progress, [so] it makes sense that forestry equipment should receive the same tax treatment that agricultural equipment currently receives. I am proud to support this bill and look forward to its passage in November.”
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