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Committee recommends transferring Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation to Department of Agriculture
Summary
HB 495 would move the Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation from its current attachment to the University System to the Georgia Department of Agriculture; sponsors said the transfer will preserve and continue the center's work supporting rural communities.
Representative (sponsor) told the committee that HB 495 (LC 443049) would transfer the Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation — currently attached administratively to a University System entity — to the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The sponsor described the center’s work in assisting small towns and rural counties with grant planning, economic development and capacity building.
"...we want to move this center from USG attached to Department of Agriculture. It's got a board. It's got a director. ... None of this changed," the sponsor said, describing the measure as an administrative transfer intended to preserve operations and funding for a program the sponsor said has leveraged state resources to help rural communities.
The committee discussed the center’s history and operations; Representative Meeks moved that the committee do pass the bill and committee members agreed. The committee recorded a do-pass motion by voice vote; the transcript does not provide a numerical tally.
Why it matters: Supporters said the transfer would maintain continuity of services for rural communities and keep a state-funded center operational, leveraging existing appropriations and staff to support local grant and development activities.
Votes at a glance: HB 495 — Motion: move do pass; Outcome: approved by voice vote; tally not specified.
