House committee approves tax-credit plan to revive Georgia’s forestry market A committee substitute to House Bill 276 won committee approval after lawmakers endorsed a transferable income-tax credit to fund woody‑biomass energy plants and incentives for data centers to use behind‑the‑meter biomass generation, aiming to restore markets for harvested wood.

A pivotal House committee has just advanced a bold tax-credit plan aimed at reviving Georgia's struggling forestry industry by incentivizing the construction of woody-biomass energy facilities.

Learn more here

#GA #GeorgiaForestry #EnergyInnovation #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment

Senate resolution urges landowners to act against southern pine beetle outbreak The Senate Natural Resources committee adopted SR 480 recognizing an outbreak of the southern pine beetle, encouraging landowners to follow Georgia Forestry Commission best management practices and urging mitigation steps such as removing dead or infested trees and considering controlled burns.

Georgia's Senate has taken a stand against the southern pine beetle, urging landowners to adopt proactive measures to protect our forests from this growing threat.

Click to read more!

#GA #GeorgiaForestry #InvasiveSpecies #CitizenPortal #SustainablePractices #ForestManagement

Forestry official tells committee wildfire response used new helicopter; crews, tractors and mutual aid contained blaze A forestry representative reported a wildfire in southeast Georgia that involved multi-county resources, multiple tractors and engines, and use of a newly acquired state helicopter with roughly 350-gallon capacity and the ability to transport personnel; crews expected to remain on scene for days.

A wildfire in southeast Georgia exploded to 600 acres, but thanks to a newly acquired helicopter and interagency teamwork, crews are fighting back with unprecedented strength.

Click to read more!

#GA #GeorgiaForestry #CitizenPortal #WildfireResponse #EmergencyManagement #InteragencyCoordination

Senate committee advances bill to clarify 'prescribed burning' and state authority over silviculture The Natural Resources committee advanced House Bill 983, filed at the request of the Georgia Forestry Commission, to more clearly define 'prescribed burning' for silviculture, confirm the Commission's authorization role, and codify training for certified burners. The committee approved the measure by voice/hand vote.

The Senate Natural Resources Committee has taken a significant step to clarify the rules around "prescribed burning," aiming to eliminate confusion for landowners and ensure proper training for certified burners.

Learn more here!

#GA #GeorgiaForestry #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalPolicy

Committee advances bill to make forestry tax credits transferrable to spur mill investment The House Ways & Means Committee passed substitute House Bill 1085 by voice vote, a measure that would make existing job and investment tax credits expressly transferrable for forestry manufacturing. Sponsors said the change aims to attract investment and help restart or replace aging mills after a wave of closures.

A groundbreaking bill has just passed that could revitalize Georgia's struggling timber industry by making job and investment tax credits transferrable for forestry manufacturing!

Click to read more!

#GA #GeorgiaForestry #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #JobCreation #InvestmentStrategy