HR1416: HR1416 Joint Study Committee on Generational Sustainability of Family Farms; create

Georgia's family farms have faced years of financial strain from natural disasters, trade disputes, disease outbreaks, corporate consolidation, and a shrinking workforce, even as the agricultural industry remains a major part of the state's economy. This resolution responds by creating the Joint Study Committee on Generational Sustainability of Family Farms. The committee would have nine members: three appointed by the Senate President, three by the House Speaker, plus the chairs of the Senate and House agriculture committees (who would serve as cochairs) and the Commissioner of Agriculture. It would study the problems facing farm families and recommend legislation or other action. Legislative members get standard travel allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at five paid days unless extended. The committee must file a report before it is abolished on December 1, 2027.

• Creates the nine-member Joint Study Committee on Generational Sustainability of Family Farms to study challenges facing family farms.
• Assigns three Senate members, three House members, the two agriculture committee chairs (as cochairs), and the Commissioner of Agriculture to the committee.
• Directs the committee to study farm economy problems and recommend legislation or other action it finds necessary.
• Sets legislative member travel allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at five paid days unless the committee authorizes more.
• Requires a report with any findings or legislative recommendations to be filed before the committee's abolishment.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2027.

Georgia farm families and the broader agricultural industry, state legislators appointed to the committee, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the House and Senate agriculture committees, whose chairs would cochair the new study group.

The committee's work could shape future legislation on farm input costs, new markets, and support for the next generation of farmers, though the resolution itself creates no new programs or funding, only a temporary body to study the issue and report recommendations.

• Paragraph (1) creates the Joint Study Committee on Generational Sustainability of Family Farms.
• Paragraph (2) sets membership at nine: three Senate appointees, three House appointees, the two agriculture committee chairs as cochairs, and the Commissioner of Agriculture.
• Paragraph (3) charges the committee with studying farm conditions and problems and recommending action or legislation.
• Paragraph (5) covers allowances, limiting paid days to five unless additional days are authorized, funded through legislative and agency appropriations.
• Paragraph (6) requires the cochairs to file a report or, absent one, meeting minutes before abolishment.
• 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 committee
• farm economy
• rural Georgia