Keep Georgia Forested Act headlines a package strengthening Georgia’s #1 industry, supporting rural communities, and protecting working forests. (Photo: Zach Clifton / Georgia Forestry Association)
FORSYTH, GA — Governor Brian P. Kemp today signed a slate of landmark forestry and natural resources legislation at the Georgia Forestry Association (GFA) headquarters, headlined by HB 134, the Keep Georgia Forested Act — a major economic development win that will help Georgia attract new forestry manufacturing investment, accelerate hiring in rural communities, and reinforce the state’s position as the #1 forestry state in the nation.
In addition to HB 134, the Governor signed three other measures supported by GFA: HB 983, which provides regulatory clarity for prescribed burning conducted for silvicultural purposes; SB 306, which strengthens notice and reinstatement protections for forest landowners enrolled in the Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA) program and the Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA) program; and HR 1008, which ratifies amendments to Georgia’s statewide water management plan. Together, the bills represent a robust legislative package for forestry and agriculture.
“Today is an important day for Georgia’s forestry industry and the rural communities that depend on it,” said Tim Lowrimore, President & CEO of the Georgia Forestry Association. “From new investment in forestry manufacturing to critical protections for the landowners and land managers who do the work on the ground, this is a package built around what our industry needs to grow.”
The Keep Georgia Forested Act, HB 134, is the most significant forestry economic development measure to clear the General Assembly in years. The bill makes Georgia’s existing Jobs and Investment Tax Credits transferable for forestry manufacturers for a defined five-year window, allowing companies to put capital to work when it is needed most — during early stages of the operation. By accelerating capital availability, the legislation accelerates hiring, investment, and economic returns in the rural communities that need them most.
The Georgia Forestry Association is grateful to HB 134 sponsors Rep. Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah) and President Pro Tem Larry Walker (R-Perry), whose leadership earned strong bipartisan support throughout the legislative process.
HB 983 clarifies that prescribed burning conducted for silvicultural purposes is exempt from certain notice and permit requirements, providing landowners and land managers with the regulatory clarity needed to safely and effectively use prescribed fire on working forests. Prescribed fire is one of the most important tools available to reduce hazardous fuel loads, protect communities from catastrophic wildfire, and maintain healthy forest ecosystems — a point reinforced by the wildfires Georgia has battled across South Georgia this spring.
SB 306 strengthens protections and clarifies certain provisions for forest landowners enrolled in CUVA and FLPA — two of Georgia’s most important property tax tools for working timberland The bill confirms that landowners under CUVA covenants may enroll in carbon credit programs and earn revenue on the open private market without breaching their covenant; allows owners of multiple CUVA parcels to consolidate covenants under a single timeline; establishes a 180-day grace period for converting from a CUVA covenant to FLPA; and strengthens notice protections by requiring certified mail for impending covenant expirations and allowing reinstatement in limited circumstances without additional fees or interest.
HR 1008 ratifies amendments to Georgia’s statewide water management plan adopted by the State Water Council in December 2025, including reforms to the regional water planning council structure that ensure active representation from Georgia’s major water-use sectors, including forestry and agriculture.
Georgia leads the nation in forestry, with 22 million acres of commercially available forestland — 92 percent of it privately owned — supporting more than 141,000 jobs and generating an estimated $59 billion in annual economic impact. The legislation signed today arrives at a pivotal moment for the industry, and reflects a clear, sustained commitment from state leaders to keep Georgia competitive, keep working forests working, and keep rural Georgia strong.
“We are deeply grateful to Governor Kemp, Speaker Burns, Lt. Governor Jones, and the legislative champions who delivered for Georgia’s forestry families,” said Scott Griffin, Chairman of the Georgia Forestry Association Board of Directors. “Their leadership is the reason we can keep building on Georgia’s legacy as the #1 forestry state in the nation.”
About the Georgia Forestry Association
Founded in 1907, the Georgia Forestry Association is the voice of forestry in Georgia. GFA represents private forest landowners, forestry professionals, and forest products manufacturers across the state, advocating for policies that protect and enhance the value of Georgia’s working forests for the economic and environmental benefit of all Georgians. Learn more at gfagrow.org.
Media Contact: John Casey – HL Strategy – john@hlstrategy.com