Strong Roots, Resilient Future
Georgia Stands Up for Forestry in a Critical Year
Summer 2025
By John Casey
Governor Brian Kemp (left) touts a handmade axe crafted from salvage wood alongside Georgia Forestry Association (GFA) President & CEO Tim Lowrimore (right) while visiting GFA headquarters to sign crucial disaster recovery legislation in May.
In a pivotal legislative session for Georgia’s forestry sector, state leaders responded to one of the most challenging periods in recent memory with policies that provide direct relief, improve long-term competitiveness and reaffirm the foundational role forestry plays in Georgia’s rural economy.
With the passage of two key bills — House Bill 223, which delivers targeted disaster recovery following Hurricane Helene, and House Bill 164, which makes Georgia’s 88,000-pound truck weight limit permanent for raw forestry and agricultural products — the 2025 legislative session marked a turning point. These measures provide not only immediate support, but a pathway toward long-term resilience for Georgia’s forest landowners, loggers, mills and rural communities.
With the passage of two key bills — House Bill 223, which delivers targeted disaster recovery following Hurricane Helene, and House Bill 164, which makes Georgia’s 88,000-pound truck weight limit permanent for raw forestry and agricultural products — the 2025 legislative session marked a turning point. These measures provide not only immediate support, but a pathway toward long-term resilience for Georgia’s forest landowners, loggers, mills and rural communities.
The Georgia Forestry Association (GFA), working alongside legislators, cross-industry coalitions and stakeholders statewide, supported these critical efforts to ensure forestry’s voice was heard and its needs reflected in policy.
A Tailored Response to Unprecedented Losses
Hurricane Helene left a staggering toll in its wake: an estimated $1.28 billion in timber losses across Georgia’s most productive forestland. In many counties, these forests serve as the backbone of local communities and their economies.
In response, legislators passed House Bill 223, a targeted disaster relief package crafted specifically for the unique needs of forest landowners and the communities that depend on them.
A Tailored Response to Unprecedented Losses
Hurricane Helene left a staggering toll in its wake: an estimated $1.28 billion in timber losses across Georgia’s most productive forestland. In many counties, these forests serve as the backbone of local communities and their economies.
In response, legislators passed House Bill 223, a targeted disaster relief package crafted specifically for the unique needs of forest landowners and the communities that depend on them.
‘This comprehensive approach was made possible through strong partnerships between GFA, its membership, industry coalitions and legislative champions — including Governor Brian Kemp, Senator Russ Goodman and Representative James Burchett, among others — whose early prioritization of Helene recovery set the tone for bipartisan support.
“Whether it’s the landowner in Pierce County clearing acres of downed timber or the small-town sawmill trying to restore operations, this legislation provides tangible support where it’s needed most,” said GFA Board Chairman Russ Yeomans.
Keeping Forestry Moving: HB 164 Secures Truck Weight Policy
Transportation remains one of the most significant cost drivers in the forestry supply chain. In a second major win, the passage of House Bill 164 ensures Georgia’s truck weight limit for hauling raw forestry and agricultural products permanently remains at 88,000 pounds — a threshold that had been temporarily allowed via a sunset-limited bill in 2023.
For the many forest products businesses operating across rural Georgia, maintaining this limit is critical to efficiency and affordability.
Studies have shown that modern trucks equipped with enhanced safety technology perform well under higher weight limits, with crash rates remaining stable or declining. In addition to improved logistics, this policy also reduces the total number of miles driven across the state’s roads and bridges.
“Whether it’s the landowner in Pierce County clearing acres of downed timber or the small-town sawmill trying to restore operations, this legislation provides tangible support where it’s needed most,” said GFA Board Chairman Russ Yeomans.
Keeping Forestry Moving: HB 164 Secures Truck Weight Policy
Transportation remains one of the most significant cost drivers in the forestry supply chain. In a second major win, the passage of House Bill 164 ensures Georgia’s truck weight limit for hauling raw forestry and agricultural products permanently remains at 88,000 pounds — a threshold that had been temporarily allowed via a sunset-limited bill in 2023.
For the many forest products businesses operating across rural Georgia, maintaining this limit is critical to efficiency and affordability.
Studies have shown that modern trucks equipped with enhanced safety technology perform well under higher weight limits, with crash rates remaining stable or declining. In addition to improved logistics, this policy also reduces the total number of miles driven across the state’s roads and bridges.
A Call to Support Georgia’s Forestry Communities
Forestry supports more than 141,000 jobs in Georgia, contributes over $42 billion annually to the economy and
maintains a footprint of more than 22 million acres of working forest. It is both an economic engine and a conservation success story — growing 48% more wood than it harvests each year.
But this success isn’t guaranteed. As natural disasters become more frequent and operational costs rise, it is more important than ever to protect the policies, infrastructure and public support that forestry depends on.
The 2025 session demonstrated what thoughtful, responsive policymaking can achieve — but continued progress will require ongoing attention and investment.
“These policies are lifelines for the communities that keep Georgia’s forestry sector strong,” said GFA President and CEO Tim Lowrimore. “This is a direct and clear response to what landowners, loggers, mills and rural counties told us they needed most: relief now and a path forward.” ■
John Casey is a strategic communications professional who supports clients through the art of storytelling. In his downtime, John can be found hunting and fishing on his family’s centennial farm in Northwest Georgia.
Forestry supports more than 141,000 jobs in Georgia, contributes over $42 billion annually to the economy and
maintains a footprint of more than 22 million acres of working forest. It is both an economic engine and a conservation success story — growing 48% more wood than it harvests each year.
But this success isn’t guaranteed. As natural disasters become more frequent and operational costs rise, it is more important than ever to protect the policies, infrastructure and public support that forestry depends on.
The 2025 session demonstrated what thoughtful, responsive policymaking can achieve — but continued progress will require ongoing attention and investment.
“These policies are lifelines for the communities that keep Georgia’s forestry sector strong,” said GFA President and CEO Tim Lowrimore. “This is a direct and clear response to what landowners, loggers, mills and rural counties told us they needed most: relief now and a path forward.” ■
John Casey is a strategic communications professional who supports clients through the art of storytelling. In his downtime, John can be found hunting and fishing on his family’s centennial farm in Northwest Georgia.
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Georgia Forestry Magazine is published by HL Strategy, an integrated marketing and communications firm focused on our nation's biggest challenges and opportunities. Learn more at hlstrategy.com
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