Georgia CommonsHR 1889: Termed and perpetual conservation easements; important tools for promoting conservation practices; express support
Last action March 31, 2026 · House Committee Favorably Reported
A Georgia House resolution would formally express the House's support for termed and perpetual conservation easements as tools to encourage voluntary land conservation on private property.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution does not change any Georgia law. Instead, it states the Georgia House of Representatives' support for conservation easements, which are voluntary legal agreements landowners can enter into to limit development or certain land uses in exchange for compensation or tax benefits, in order to protect natural, agricultural, or historical resources. The resolution describes both termed (temporary) and perpetual (permanent) conservation easements as beneficial for wildlife habitat, hunting opportunities, agricultural production, and rural economies. It states that these easements protect private property rights because landowners voluntarily agree to the terms. The resolution directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and the press, but it creates no new program, funding, or legal requirement.
What the bill does
- States the House of Representatives' support for termed and perpetual conservation easements as tools for promoting voluntary conservation on private land.
- Describes conservation easements as voluntary, free-market contracts that let landowners monetize environmental and habitat values of their property.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press.
- Does not amend any Georgia statute, create funding, or impose any new legal requirement on landowners or agencies.
Who it affects
The resolution mainly speaks to private landowners, agricultural producers, and hunters who might use or benefit from conservation easements. It has no direct legal effect on state agencies, courts, or the general public since it does not change any law.
Why it matters
Because this is a resolution rather than a bill that changes law, it carries symbolic weight rather than legal force. It signals the House's favorable view of conservation easements, which could influence future legislation or public perception, but landowners' options and obligations remain unchanged for now.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses lay out the House's reasoning: conservation easements support wildlife habitat, hunting, agricultural production, and rural economies.
- The resolved clause formally states the House's support for termed and perpetual conservation easements as conservation tools on private lands.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
From the bill
“conservation easements are a completely voluntary, free-market, incentive-based contract—the terms of which are agreed upon by the landowner—for the conservation of natural, agricultural, and historical resources on private land”
“the members of this body express their support for termed and perpetual conservation easements as important tools for promoting conservation practices on private lands while rewarding landowners for their voluntary participation”
Status timeline
- House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Charles Cannon (R, HD-172)
- John Corbett (R, HD-174)
- Jaclyn Ford (R, HD-170)
- Robert Dickey (R, HD-134)
- Jutt Howard (R, HD-071)
- Debbie Buckner (D, HD-137)
Topics
- conservation easements
- land conservation
- private property rights
- agriculture
- wildlife habitat