SR480: SR480 Georgia Forests; acute and ongoing threat to Georgia's forests posed by the southern pine beetle; recognize

This resolution addresses an outbreak of the southern pine beetle, a native pest that is damaging pine forests in Georgia, particularly in the western part of the state. The Senate states that forestry contributes more than $41 billion a year to Georgia's economy and that the beetle outbreak threatens tree health, raises wildfire risk, and causes economic losses for landowners. The resolution formally recognizes the beetle as a significant and ongoing threat, especially in western Georgia, and encourages landowners across the state to follow best management practices recommended by the Georgia Forestry Commission, such as thinning overcrowded stands and removing infested trees. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press. As a resolution, it states the Senate's position and encourages action but does not create new legal requirements or funding.

• Formally recognizes the southern pine beetle as a significant and ongoing threat to Georgia's forests, especially in the western region of the state.
• Encourages Georgia landowners to follow best management practices from the Georgia Forestry Commission, such as thinning stands and removing infested trees.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies of the resolution available to the public and the press.
• Does not create new laws, funding, or enforcement mechanisms; it expresses the Senate's position and offers encouragement rather than mandates.

Georgia landowners with pine forests, particularly those in the western part of the state facing the beetle outbreak, as well as the forestry industry, rural communities dependent on forestry jobs, and the Georgia Forestry Commission, which is named as the source of recommended management guidance.

While the resolution carries no legal force, it puts the Senate's weight behind encouraging landowners to adopt forest management practices that could reduce tree loss, wildfire risk, and economic damage from the beetle outbreak, potentially increasing public attention on the Georgia Forestry Commission's guidance.

• The preamble states forestry contributes more than $41 billion annually to Georgia's economy and supports many rural jobs.
• The resolution identifies the southern pine beetle (dendroctonus frontalis) as a destructive native pest causing tree mortality in pine forests.
• Clause (1) and (2) formally recognize the beetle's threat generally and the acute outbreak specifically in western Georgia.
• Clause (3) encourages landowners to mitigate the outbreak through proper forest management and Georgia Forestry Commission best practices.
• The final resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2026-02-26Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-02-25Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
3. 2026-02-24Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
4. 2025-03-28Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
5. 2025-03-27Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)Primary sponsor
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• John Kennedy (R, SD-018)

1. PassedSenate voteFebruary 26, 2026

   48 yea, 0 nay (5 not voting, 2 absent)

   Consent Calendar Expressing The Will Of The Senate: Senate Vote #590

• southern pine beetle
• forestry
• western Georgia
• land management
• Georgia Forestry Commission