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

This resolution sets up the Joint Study Committee on Generational Sustainability of Family Farms, made up of three senators, three House members, the chairs of the Senate and House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs committees (who cochair the panel), and the Commissioner of Agriculture. The resolution cites Georgia's $100.4 billion agricultural economy, rising input costs, falling commodity prices, and increasing mental health struggles among farm families as reasons for the study. The committee is directed to study the challenges family farms face and recommend policies or legislation on markets, input costs, and preparing the next generation of farmers. Cochairpersons call meetings, legislative members get standard travel allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, and any report with recommendations must be approved by majority vote before being filed with the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House. The committee is abolished on December 1, 2027.

• Creates a nine-member Joint Study Committee on Generational Sustainability of Family Farms with members from the Senate, House, and the Commissioner of Agriculture.
• Directs the committee to study economic and structural problems facing family farms and recommend legislation or other action.
• Sets pay and reimbursement rules for legislative and non-legislative members under existing state allowance law (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8).
• Limits paid allowances to five days of meetings unless additional days are specifically authorized.
• Requires any report with legislative recommendations to be approved by majority vote and filed with the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House before the committee ends.
• Abolishes the committee on December 1, 2027.

Members of the Georgia General Assembly appointed to the committee, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the chairs of the House and Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs committees. More broadly, Georgia farm families and the agricultural industry are the subject of the study, though the resolution itself creates no new rules for farmers.

The resolution does not change any law or provide direct help to farmers; it sets up a formal process for lawmakers to gather information on farm economics and mental health struggles and potentially draft future legislation addressing input costs, market access, and generational transition on family farms.

• Paragraph (2) sets the committee's composition: three Senate appointees, three House appointees, the two Agriculture and Consumer Affairs committee chairs as cochairs, and the Commissioner of Agriculture.
• Paragraph (3) charges the committee with studying farm-related conditions and problems and recommending action or legislation.
• Paragraph (4) lets the cochairpersons call and schedule meetings as needed.
• Paragraph (5) sets member allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8 and caps paid days at five unless more are authorized, with funding coming from legislative or agency appropriations.
• Paragraph (6) requires majority approval of any report with legislative recommendations before it is filed, or allows meeting minutes to be filed instead.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2027.

1. 2026-03-23Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-03-23Senate Third Read (Senate)
3. 2026-03-20Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
4. 2026-03-19Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
5. 2026-03-06Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
6. 2026-03-04House Passed/Adopted (House)
7. 2026-03-04House Third Readers (House)
8. 2026-02-25House Committee Favorably Reported (House)

• Robert Dickey (R, HD-134)Primary sponsor
• Steven Meeks (R, HD-178)
• Angie O'Steen (R, HD-169)
• Jaclyn Ford (R, HD-170)
• John Corbett (R, HD-174)
• Gerald Greene (R, HD-154)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 4, 2026

   164 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 12 absent)

   Adopt: House Vote #634

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 23, 2026

   52 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 1 absent)

   Adoption: Senate Vote #796

• family farms
• agriculture policy
• legislative study committees
• farm economy
• rural mental health