News Summary

Governor Brian Kemp has signed important legislation aimed at assisting forest landowners and rural communities affected by Hurricane Helene, which caused over $1.28 billion in timber damages. The bipartisan relief package includes initiatives like tax credits for reforestation, income tax exemptions on federal disaster aid, and sales tax exemptions for rebuilding materials. This legislation underscores a commitment to rapid recovery for Georgia’s forestry sector while providing ongoing support for affected communities.

Atlanta, Georgia – Governor Brian Kemp has officially signed crucial legislation designed to provide relief and support for forest landowners and rural communities suffering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. The recent storm resulted in substantial losses, estimating damages at over $1.28 billion to timber across the state’s extensive forestlands.

The new legislation has garnered significant bipartisan support and aims to furnish both immediate resources for recovery while also establishing enduring support mechanisms for Georgia’s forestry sector. Governor Kemp remarked on the unwavering resilience of the state’s farmers and foresters, highlighting their commitment as a source of inspiration for many Georgians.

The relief package introduced includes a variety of pivotal initiatives such as:

A refundable reforestation tax credit aimed at promoting planting and restoration efforts.
An exemption from state income tax on federal disaster aid.
A sales tax exemption for select rebuilding materials that pertain to agriculture.
Ad valorem harvest tax relief for landowners located in the counties impacted by the storm, with compensations intended to support local budgets.

This legislation takes into account the expressed needs of landowners, loggers, and mills impacted by Hurricane Helene, demonstrating a commitment to crafting effective policies for rapid recovery. The Georgia Forestry Association (GFA) played a crucial role in this process, working alongside industry leaders and lawmakers to ensure that appropriate solutions were developed to facilitate an efficient recovery.

Georgia boasts around 22 million acres of commercially available forestland, supporting over 141,000 jobs and creating an economic impact of approximately $42 billion annually through the forestry sector. The importance of the newly signed laws has been emphasized as vital for the protection of Georgia’s essential industries and the workforce driving these sectors.

Included in the signed House Bill 223 are provisions for temporary waivers of timber taxes on downed trees for local governments. Furthermore, timber producers will be permitted to write off losses related to Hurricane Helene on their state income tax returns, while farmers will not be required to pay income taxes on federal disaster relief payments that stem from the hurricane’s impact.

In addition to these immediate measures, the state’s budget for fiscal year 2025 allocates nearly $863 million for storm-related expenditures. In total, Georgia legislators have approved approximately $1.2 billion to go towards disaster cleaning and relief efforts following the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Helene.

The hurricane’s impact extended beyond the forestry sector, damaging 212,747 homes and leading to tragic fatalities, including 34 lives lost in Georgia. Looking towards the future, federal assistance is anticipated to cover a substantial portion of recovery costs. Congress has approved a massive $100 billion aid package, which features $21 billion specifically designated for agricultural support in disaster-affected states.

Though full recovery from Hurricane Helene may require significant time, Governor Kemp has assured constituents that state leadership will persistently advocate for their needs as they navigate the ongoing recovery process. This multifaceted approach aims to stabilize the state’s forestry and agricultural industries, boding well for the future of Georgia’s economy as it continues to rebuild.