Rural Veterinarian Access

SB 20

Senators Kirkpatrick, Summers, Payne, Anderson, and Parent:

A bill to provide for veterinary school loan repayments for shelter medicine veterinarians as well as veterinarians who practice non-profit pet sterilization. The bill would also create the State Veterinary Education Board for Shelter Medicine and Pet Sterilization to oversee loan repayment programs. 

This bill helps to alleviate the shortage of veterinarians serving rural and agricultural areas. Better access to veterinary care supports livestock health, food safety, and biosecurity for Georgia producers.

SB 105

Senators Anavitarte, Watson, Goodman, Echols, Hatchett, and others:

The bill authorizes licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians within the state of Georgia to provide veterinary teleadvice. It would also create regulations around veterinary telemedicine and allow for teletriage under certain circumstances.

Expanding veterinary telemedicine improves access to animal care in rural areas. This can enhance herd management, disease prevention, and reduce costs for livestock producers.

HB 172

Reps. Huddleston, Efrastation, Dickey, Frye, Ford:

A bill updating the terms and conditions for the student loan forgiveness program for graduates of veterinary school. These terms update qualifications allowed for approval for loan applications, such as length of time practiced, amount of money owed, and other factors, as allowed.

Incentivizes veterinarians to practice in rural or underserved areas, improving livestock care and agricultural productivity.

Tort Reform

Tort reform lowers liability insurance costs for farmers and agribusinesses. Together, these bills help farmers operate with more certainty, reduce legal costs, and focus on growing crops and raising livestock without fear of unpredictable lawsuits. 

SB 68

Senators Kennedy, Gooch, Robertson, Anavitarte, Walker, and others:

A bill to revise Georgia law regarding civil practice, damages, and liability in a tort action. The bill is the first legislative action initiative for tort reform. 

SB 69

Senators Kennedy, Gooch, Robertson, Anavitarte, Walker, and others:

A bill to regulate outside litigation financing by amending sections of the state banking and finance code. The bill addresses the Governor’s tort reform initiatives in the litigation finance sector.

Truck Weights

The Georgia Agribusiness Council and a large coalition of agriculture groups worked with the Department of Transportation to find a solution. Extending truck weight flexibility reduces transportation costs for farm goods and forestry products and increases efficiency.

HB 164

Reps. Meeks, Hagan, Buckner, Dickey, Cannon:

A bill repealing the sunset clause on the allowed weight and dimensions of trucks hauling certain commodities through Georgia from certain areas and ranges of the state. 

Water Policy

The Georgia Agribusiness Council pushed with other agricultural groups and leaders to work with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to help lift the moratorium on wells in Southwest Georgia. This has helped farmers and producers in the region gain access to irrigation. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division started accepting these new permit applications on April 1, 2025. 

HB 143

Reps. Dickey, Smith, Yearta, Greene, Cannon:

A bill to revise provisions regarding water-measuring devices for farm use of surface and groundwater in order to allow more efficient use of shared water.

This bill promotes water conservation and precision agriculture while enhancing data accuracy for irrigation management and water-sharing.

HB 1172

Reps. Burchett, Rhodes, Leverett, Smith, and Williams - 2024

A bill to limit the public’s right of navigable streams to only using water as highways and for hunting and fishing. The public is not permitted to trespass upon privately owned beds.

This bill protects property rights along waterways and reduces liability from unauthorized public access while providing clearer boundaries for managing land and water resources.