---
title: SR 480. Georgia Forests; acute and ongoing threat to Georgia's forests posed by the southern pine beetle; recognize
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/sr480
cite_as: SR 480, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr480
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr480.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr480/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71723
date: 2026-02-26
status: passed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr479.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr481.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 435
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr480.md?full=1
bill_number: SR 480
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: Senate
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2026-02-26
last_action: Senate Passed/Adopted
sponsors:
  - Matt Brass
  - Randy Robertson
  - Jason Anavitarte
  - Russ Goodman
  - Steve Gooch
  - John Kennedy
text_version: Enrolled
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR480/2025
upstream_id: 2016123
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - forestry
  - southern pine beetle
  - agriculture
  - rural economy
  - conservation
---

# SR 480. Georgia Forests; acute and ongoing threat to Georgia's forests posed by the southern pine beetle; recognize

## Text

Senate Resolution 480
By: Senators Brass of the 6th, Robertson of the 29th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Goodman of the
8th, Gooch of the 51st and others
ADOPTED SENATE
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the acute and ongoing threat to Georgia's forests posed by the southern pine
beetle, particularly in the western region of this state, and encouraging all Georgia
landowners to follow guidance by the Georgia Forestry Commission to mitigate the spread
of this destructive pest; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, forestry is a vital economic driver for the State of Georgia, contributing more
than $41 billion annually to the state's economy and supporting thousands of jobs in rural
communities; and
WHEREAS, Georgia's forests, particularly those that are properly managed, provide essential
ecological, economic, and recreational benefits, including clean air and water, carbon
sequestration, wildlife habitats, and raw materials for a variety of industries; and
WHEREAS, the southern pine beetle (dendroctonus frontalis) is a destructive native pest
affecting pine forests in the southeastern United States, including Georgia; and
WHEREAS, southern pine beetle infestations can cause significant tree mortality, leading
to economic losses for landowners, increased wildfire risk, and reduced forest health and
productivity; and
WHEREAS, the western region of Georgia is currently experiencing a heightened outbreak
of the southern pine beetle, resulting in extensive damage to pine stands and threatening the
sustainability of the state's forest resources; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia Forestry Commission has provided critical guidance and resources
to landowners to implement sound forestry practices that reduce the risk of infestation by the
southern pine beetle and improve overall forest resilience; and
WHEREAS, thinning overcrowded stands, removing infested trees, and adhering to best
management practices are the most effective means of controlling and preventing further
spread of the southern pine beetle.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body:
(1) Recognize the significant threat posed by the southern pine beetle to Georgia's
forests;
(2) Recognize the acute and ongoing challenge of the southern pine beetle outbreak in
the western region of this state; and
(3) Encourage Georgia landowners to take all steps necessary to mitigate the spread of
this outbreak through proper forest management and adherence to best management
practices outlined by the Georgia Forestry Commission.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the
press.

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Georgia Senate resolution recognizes the threat the southern pine beetle poses to the state's forests, especially in western Georgia, and encourages landowners to follow Georgia Forestry Commission guidance to limit its spread.

### Plain-language summary

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. Instead, it formally states the Senate's recognition that the southern pine beetle, a native pest, is causing significant damage to pine forests in Georgia, with a particularly severe outbreak currently affecting the western part of the state. The resolution notes forestry's economic importance to Georgia, citing more than $41 billion in annual economic activity and thousands of rural jobs, and describes the ecological and economic value of well managed forests.

The Senate resolves to recognize the threat and the ongoing outbreak in western Georgia, and to encourage landowners to follow best management practices from the Georgia Forestry Commission, such as thinning overcrowded stands and removing infested trees, to control the pest's spread. The resolution also directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies to the public and press.

### What it does

- Formally recognizes the southern pine beetle as a significant and ongoing threat to Georgia's forests.
- Specifically calls out an active outbreak of the pest in the western region of Georgia.
- Encourages, but does not require, Georgia landowners to follow Georgia Forestry Commission guidance 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.

### Who it affects

Georgia landowners with forested property, especially in the western part of the state, along with the forestry industry, rural communities that depend on forestry jobs, and the Georgia Forestry Commission, which provides the management guidance the resolution highlights.

### Why it matters

While the resolution carries no legal requirements or funding, it signals state-level attention to a pest outbreak that can kill pine trees, raise wildfire risk, and cause economic losses for landowners, potentially encouraging wider voluntary adoption of forest management practices.

### Key provisions

- The preamble cites forestry's contribution of more than $41 billion annually to Georgia's economy and its role in rural jobs.
- The preamble identifies the southern pine beetle (dendroctonus frontalis) as a native pest causing tree mortality and increased wildfire risk.
- Resolution clause (1) recognizes the general threat the beetle poses to Georgia's forests.
- Resolution clause (2) recognizes the acute, ongoing outbreak specifically in western Georgia.
- Resolution clause (3) encourages landowners to follow Georgia Forestry Commission best management practices to mitigate the outbreak.
- The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-02-26)
- Last action: Senate Passed/Adopted (2026-02-26)
- Sponsors: Matt Brass, Randy Robertson, Jason Anavitarte, Russ Goodman, Steve Gooch, John Kennedy
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71723

> The history, votes, and amendments (435 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr480.md?full=1