HR 1416: Joint Study Committee on Generational Sustainability of Family Farms; create

In plain language

What the bill does

Who it affects

Why it matters

Key provisions

From the bill

Discussed in meetings (13)

The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.

1. House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee, February 25, 2026

   From 0:38:54 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HR 1416 would create a nine-member joint House-Senate study committee to seek state-level solutions for family farm sustainability, profitability and the future of agriculture. The sponsor described three appointments each by the House speaker and Senate president, with the agriculture commissioner also serving. Explaining the need, the sponsor said Georgia farmers lost about $800 million in 2025, production costs exceeded projected revenue in 11 of the past 14 years, and the United States had a $50 billion agricultural trade deficit in 2025. The sponsor also said 42% of Georgia farmers had considered suicide in the past year and linked worsening mental health to declining profitability. The sponsor proposed gathering experts over the summer and fall, while acknowledging limits on state action over federal issues. The member presiding over the discussion supported bringing people together to develop solutions and emphasized food security. The committee approved the resolution by voice vote, with no opposition heard.

2. House Rules Committee, March 2, 2026

   From 1:05:57 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: A presenter speaking for the sponsor said HR 1416 would create a joint study committee to consider assistance for Georgia family farms facing what the presenter described as unprecedented challenges. The chair confirmed the resolution number. No substantive questions or decision followed.

3. House Rules Committee, March 4, 2026

   From 1:03:43 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 1929

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The presenter said HR 1416 would create a joint study committee on sustaining family farms. The presenter described serious challenges facing agriculture and said the committee would bring people together between legislative sessions to seek solutions. No questions or decision followed.

4. House floor session, March 4, 2026 (legislative day 27, PM, part 2)

   From 0:47:04 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 1930

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HR 1416 would create a joint House-Senate study committee to hear from farmers and experts about keeping family farms viable over generations. The sponsor said Georgia agriculture contributes $100 billion to the state economy and employs 370,000 people, while high production costs, low commodity prices and repeated hurricanes have put farms at risk of bankruptcy. Asked about minority farmers, the sponsor said the study could address capital shortages and other challenges facing minority and small farmers. A second member said farmers face elevated suicide risk and suggested the study could help save lives. Another member highlighted seasonal foreign-born workers and Georgia’s use of the H-2A visa program. The House adopted the resolution 164–0.

5. House Rules Committee, March 4, 2026

   From 0:27:49 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 1929

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee placed HR 1416 on the supplemental calendar after a motion and second, with no objection. Members did not discuss its substance.

6. Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, March 18, 2026

   From 0:10:45 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair presented the proposal to create a joint study committee on the generational sustainability of family farms. The chair said the committee had already approved a Senate version and wanted the House version to advance as well to help ensure passage. The committee approved HR 1416 unanimously.

7. Senate Rules Committee, March 20, 2026

   From 0:43:31 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair identified the resolution as creating a joint study committee but did not explain its work in detail. The chair later selected it for the floor calendar, which the committee approved unanimously.

8. Senate floor session, March 23, 2026 (legislative day 36)

   From 5:04:00 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the bill's status history (Senate Third Read)

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The presenter said HR 1416 would create a joint House and Senate study committee on sustaining Georgia family farms. The presenter said Georgia farmers experienced about $800 million in profit losses in 2025, production costs exceeded revenue in 11 of the past 14 years and tractor prices had risen 21%. The presenter defended study committees against criticism in campaign mailers, citing previous work that led to forestry research funding, conservation-tax changes and school phone legislation. The presenter argued that hearings let residents contribute ideas and help lawmakers identify solutions, while acknowledging that many farming pressures lie outside state control. No opposing speeches followed. The Senate adopted the resolution 52-0.

• Read aloud: House floor session, February 20, 2026 (legislative day 22), 0:36:35
• Read aloud: House floor session, February 24, 2026 (legislative day 23), 0:47:32
• Read aloud: House floor session, February 25, 2026 (legislative day 24), 0:42:58
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 19, 2026 (legislative day 34), 0:40:33
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 20, 2026 (legislative day 35), 0:39:35

Status timeline

Sponsors

Votes

Topics