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Subcommittee reviews proposal to raise family farm acreage cap from 2,000 to 4,000 acres
Summary
Sponsors presented HR32 (constitutional amendment) and HB90 (statutory change) to raise a land-cap used in family-farm provisions from 2,000 to 4,000 acres, saying the change would help preserve multi-generation farms; the measures were heard with no vote.
House Agriculture/Rules (subcommittee) — The committee heard a constitutional amendment (HR32) and companion statute (HB90) that would increase the acreage cap used in certain family-farm provisions from 2,000 to 4,000 acres.
A legislative leader presented the constitutional amendment and the accompanying statutory change, explaining proponents want a measured increase to allow family farms to remain intact when property transfers occur across family members. The presentation described the change as consistent with prior committee instructions and asked the committee to forward the measures for further consideration.
Nut graf: Sponsors said the increase would protect family-run agriculture operations — described as important to Georgia’s agribusiness sector — when ownership is dispersed among relatives or moves through probate. The measure includes a companion constitutional question in section 2, which would require voter approval if the amendment proceeds.
During the hearing, members asked clarifying questions about statutory language that will be aligned with the constitutional amendment. The presenter noted the constitutional text replaces “2,000” with “4,000” and that the statute would be amended to match. No public testimony was recorded and no vote was taken at this first hearing.
Ending: The presenter asked for favorable consideration at the appropriate time and acknowledged this was not the committee’s final action; the measures will return for a follow-up hearing.
