---
title: O.C.G.A. § 44-10-45. Administration of program.
collection: code
id: 44-10-45
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 44-10-45 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-10-45
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-10-45.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-10-45/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t44-ch8-17-(v32)-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=a600a9b5_0#page=12
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: PROPERTY / HISTORIC PRESERVATION / FARMLAND CONSERVATION
extraction_warnings:
  - dehyphenation_unverified:mili-tary
---

# O.C.G.A. § 44-10-45. Administration of program.

In administering the program, the department shall, under the direction and advice of the council:

(1) Give priority to project proposals that protect agricultural lands susceptible to development, subdivision, and fragmentation;

(2) Adopt a scoring process for evaluating project proposals and prioritizing projects based on the extent that the project will:

(A) Protect farmland in active or planned cultivation;

(B) Prevent development or fragmentation that would result in farmland loss;

(C) Support transition of affordable farmland to next-generation farmers;

(D) Leverage local, federal, or private funding, taking into account whether such funding includes a match requirement;

(E) Support conservation priorities, including, but not limited to, protection of habitat, water quality, watershed conservation, climate resiliency, local conservation plans, and public viewshed;

(F) Preserve or enhance soil quality; and

(G) Create or further enhance compatibility with existing military installations; and

(3) Ensure that, per its terms, any agricultural conservation easement to be acquired through the project:

(A) Is of perpetual duration;

(B) May not be assigned to or enforced by a third party without the express written consent of the landowner; and

(C) Aligns with existing federal and local programs to maximize potential for matching funds.

## History

Code 1981, § 44-10-45, enacted by Ga. L. 2023, p. 38, § 1/SB 220, effective July 1, 2023.