In the wake of Hurricane Michael, as neighbors in the southwest corner of the state helped each other clear roads and repair damaged fences and buildings, the Georgia General Assembly gathered in Atlanta to identify ways to support those impacted by the storm. Timberland was given special attention during the four-day session where legislators nearly unanimously approved two pieces of legislation that will provide relief funding to private forest landowners within the 28-county disaster area.
 
A bipartisan measure approved by both House and Senate chambers, House Bill 4EX creates a $200 million income tax credit for forest landowners who incurred losses within the 28-county disaster that is both tradeable and refundable. The credit is contingent upon reforestation of the property, and it is expected to restore approximately 500,000 acres of forestland. Eligible forest landowners will be required to apply to the Department of Revenue (DOR) at 100 percent of the value of their timber loss with a cap at $400/acre.
 
In addition, legislators approved House Bill 1EX providing $270 million to address costs associated with the states response to the storm and for direct relief for those who have suffered. Provisions include $20 million in emergency funding for forest debris cleanup efforts that is approved by GFC and administered by the Georgia Development Authority (GDA). In addition, $7 million in funding was approved for new heavy firefighting equipment for GFC. The new equipment will be focused on cleaning up debris and preventing future wildfire risks.
 
“Hurricane Michael delivered a mammoth blow to south Georgia’s rural economies, which are heavily dependent on the forest industry,” said Rep. Trey Rhodes, who was the primary sponsor of HB 4EX. “I was proud to see the General Assembly work diligently and quickly through the Special Session to provide much-needed relief for our fellow Georgians. Clean-up and reforestation efforts have begun, and I am hopeful that a healthy forest ecosystem will soon return to Southwest Georgia for the benefit of our economy, environment, and our heritage.”
 
The issue was one that extended well beyond district lines and received an outpouring of support from the General Assembly.
 
“Forest landowners in southwest Georgia truly took the brunt of the storm 'on the chin,'” said Sen. Dean Burke, whose district includes Bainbridge and several communities impacted by the storm. “There is no amount of money that could fully restore the forest ecosystem and forest economy that was damaged by Hurricane Michael. However, I am so thankful for the support that has been provided to our community through HB 4EX and the appropriations legislation.”
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Speaker of the House David Ralston, who sponsored HB 1EX, provided critical leadership during the special session to provide relief to farmers and forest landowners in southwest Georgia.

Georgia's U.S. Senators Seek Federal Funding

In January, Georgia’s U.S. Senators David Purdue and Johnny Isakson introduced a supplemental disaster relief legislation aimed providing “critical funding for Georgia and other states recovering from recent hurricane and wildfire damage.” The funding package, which has received bipartisan support, includes approximately $13.6 billion in overall relief efforts to all those affected by the storm. Specific provisions include:
  • Critical agriculture disaster relief for farmers recovering in the wake of Hurricane Michael and other natural disasters across the country.
  • Development grants for small, rural communities impacted by natural disasters in 2018.
  • Assistance for veterans’ health facilities and military construction projects devastated by Hurricane Michael. 
  • Emergency funds for critical timber, watershed and wastewater infrastructure needs.
  • Restoration of highways, aviation facilities and other transit projects damaged by natural disasters.
  • Additional $600 million in nutrition assistance for Puerto Rico in response to President Trump’s disaster declaration.
 
“In October, President Trump and Vice President Pence both saw the devastation of Hurricane Michael firsthand and promised farmers they would have their backs. In pushing for this disaster relief bill, the President is fulfilling that promise,” said Senator Perdue, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “Now, it is up to Congress to follow through and pass this critical, bipartisan bill. Our farmers and rural communities cannot wait any longer for disaster relief.”
 
As the disaster funding package continues to move through the political process in Washington and cleanup efforts begin locally, the Georgia Forestry Association (GFA) will continue to actively engage in opportunities to provide relief to forest landowners and re-establish the working forest ecosystem in southwest Georgia.
 
“Working forests impact the daily lives of every Georgian, no matter where they live,” said Andres Villegas, GFA President and CEO. “The future of our state and the communities impacted by the storm depends on the thoughtful policy decisions we make today, and we are so thankful for the steps that have been taken by our elected officials to secure a healthy forest ecosystem for generations to come.”
Matt Hestad is the Executive Director of Communications & Strategy and Tom Beyer is the Director of Government Affairs for the Georgia Forestry Association (GFA). GFA is the premiere advocate for a healthy political and business environment for Georgia's working forests, forest landowners and forestry-related businesses.