SR800: SR800 Joint Study Committee on the Generational Sustainability of Family Farms; create

This resolution creates the Joint Study Committee on the Generational Sustainability of Family Farms, made up of five Senate members, five House members, and the Commissioner of Agriculture. It responds to concerns that Georgia farm families face rising input costs, low commodity prices, natural disasters, trade disruptions, and corporate consolidation, along with increased mental health struggles in farming communities. The committee is directed to study these issues and recommend policies or legislation to support farm markets, reduce costs, and prepare the next generation of farmers. Legislative members receive standard allowances under Georgia law, and the committee must file any approved findings before it is abolished on December 1, 2026.

• Creates the Joint Study Committee on the Generational Sustainability of Family Farms with 11 total members.
• Assigns five Senate members and five House members, each group naming a cochairperson, plus the Commissioner of Agriculture as an additional member.
• Directs the committee to study challenges facing family farms and recommend action or legislation it deems necessary.
• Sets legislative member pay using the standard allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at five days unless more are authorized.
• Requires the cochairpersons to file an approved report or, absent one, meeting minutes before the committee ends.
• Abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.

Georgia farm families and the broader agricultural industry, the five appointed Senate members, the five appointed House members, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and legislative staff who support the committee's meetings and any resulting report.

The committee's work could shape future legislation on farm input costs, market development, and support for new farmers. Because it only authorizes study and recommendations, no laws or funding changes take effect immediately; any real impact depends on what the committee later proposes.

• Paragraph (1) creates the Joint Study Committee on the Generational Sustainability of Family Farms.
• Paragraph (2) sets membership at 11: five Senators, five House members, and the Commissioner of Agriculture, with two cochairpersons.
• Paragraph (3) charges the committee with studying farm sustainability issues and recommending action or legislation.
• Paragraph (5) sets member allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, limited to five paid days unless additional days are authorized, funded through existing legislative appropriations.
• Paragraph (6) requires a majority-approved report, signed by cochairpersons, filed with the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House, or minutes if no report is approved.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.

1. 2026-03-16House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
2. 2026-03-06House Second Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-04House First Readers (House)
4. 2026-03-03Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
5. 2026-03-03Senate Third Read (Senate)
6. 2026-02-25Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
7. 2026-02-24Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
8. 2026-02-19Senate Read and Referred (Senate)

• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)Primary sponsor
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Robert Dickey (R, HD-134)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 3, 2026

   47 yea, 0 nay (4 not voting, 4 absent)

   Adoption: Senate Vote #601

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