HR1889: HR1889 Termed and perpetual conservation easements; important tools for promoting conservation practices; express support

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. Instead, it lays out the House of Representatives' opinion on conservation easements, which are voluntary legal agreements landowners can enter into to limit development on their property in exchange for tax or financial benefits, often to protect wildlife habitat, farmland, or historic land. The resolution states that these easements, whether they last for a set term or forever (perpetual), help protect private property rights, support hunting by preserving game habitat, let farmers keep land in agricultural use and pass it to heirs, and provide landowners with capital. The House formally resolves to express support for both types of easements and directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

• Formally declares the House of Representatives' support for both termed (time-limited) and perpetual (permanent) conservation easements on private land.
• States the House's view that conservation easements benefit wildlife habitat, hunters, farmers, and private property rights, without creating any new legal requirement.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies of the resolution available to the public and the press.
• Creates no new tax incentive, funding program, or regulatory change since it is a nonbinding expression of support rather than a law.

Private landowners who use or consider conservation easements, including farmers and ranchers, hunters who rely on wildlife habitat on private land, and land conservation organizations that arrange these agreements. No government agency gains new duties beyond the Clerk's distribution task.

Because this is a resolution rather than a bill amending Georgia law, it does not change taxes, funding, or regulations for landowners. Its main effect is a public statement of the House's position, which could signal future legislative interest in conservation easement policy.

• The whereas clauses describe conservation easements as voluntary, market-based contracts that let landowners protect natural, agricultural, or historical resources while keeping certain property rights.
• The resolved clause has the House formally express support for termed and perpetual conservation easements as tools for promoting conservation on private lands.
• A final clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press.
• The resolution contains no enforcement mechanism, funding amount, or effective date, consistent with its nonbinding nature.

1. 2026-03-31House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
2. 2026-03-31House Second Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-27House First Readers (House)
4. 2026-03-25House Hopper (House)

• Charles Cannon (R, HD-172)Primary sponsor
• 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)

• conservation easements
• land conservation
• private property rights
• agriculture
• wildlife habitat