Page 29 - Georgia Forestry - Winter2017

The Strategy: Protecting
Your Forestry Assets
GFA’s advocacy activities at the state capitol are guided
by core principles and focused on positioning forest landowners and forestry-related businesses for success by:
● protectingprivatepropertyrights;
● supportingsensibletaxesandregulation;and
● promotinghealthymarketsforworkingforests.
The Association’s Government Affairs Team is on the ground every day during the session, educating legislators and other elected officials about the benefits of Georgia’s working forests and addressing legislative issues that are key to the long-term success of the industry.
2017 Legislative Priorities:
56 Total
HOUSE
GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SENATE
38 Republicans 18 Democrats
180 Total
4Water Buffer Definitions
In 2016, GFA worked with legislators to discourage the passage of HB 966, which would have greatly expanded water buffers along state waterways. The bill was opposed by GFC and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. GFA will continue to champion the use of forestry BMPs to protect water quality and support the silvicultural exemptions provided
for forestry. Ultimately, GFA will oppose any language that would erode private property rights for Georgia’s forest landowners.
1Sensible Tax Policies
GFA will be actively engaged in legislation
that will introduce a new constitutional amendment to adjust the formula
by which counties are reimbursed for the loss
in tax revenue created
by the FLPA program.
The formula simply isn’t working as intended and needs to be fixed. Also
of critical importance, GFA will be working
with the House Ways & Means Committee and the Georgia Department of Revenue to look at ways to address disparities in how counties value timberland across the state.
2Private Property Rights
In 2016, GFA worked
with private landowners throughout the state
to pass House Bill
1036, which placed a moratorium on a proposed petroleum pipeline near Georgia’s coast and established the Joint Study Commission on Eminent Domain. The Study Commission will present the results of its 2016 hearings, which
is expected to lead to
the introduction of legislation to restrict the use of eminent domain
by private (non-public) utilities. The Association will continue to advocate for private property rights throughout that process.
118 Republicans 62 Democrats
3Forestry Commission Equipment
The Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) has many responsibilities, but its most critical mission is protecting the state’s 22 million acres of private, commercially available forestland against destruction from fire and disease. Thankfully, Governor Deal recognizes the importance of this critical mission and included $10 million in his recommendations
in the FY2017 amended budget for the GFC’s equipment and maintenance account.
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