Appropriations section moves rural prosperity functions to Agriculture, increases grants for forestry and tourism support

The economic-development portion of the appropriations review included transfers and targeted increases intended to support rural prosperity, agricultural oversight, wildfire response and tourism infrastructure.

Committee presenters said $2,392,000 in transfers from economic development and the University System would move to a Center for Rural Prosperity now placed under the Department of Agriculture pursuant to committee direction (House Bill 495 was referenced). The Department of Agriculture received additional funds for licensed inspectors and coordinators for the hemp program (roughly $792,585 cited), an emergency-management specialist position ($125,000), meat-inspection supervisors and funds to address high‑path avian influenza response ($450,000).

The presentation also added forestry grants tied to counties with large state lands (an updated invoice for McIntosh County was cited), new funding for a Georgia‑grown wood product program ($200,000) and $1.6 million to cover wildfire response and FEMA reimbursement shortfalls. Tourism funding included one‑time funds for exhibit and marketing projects and $7,000,000 to prepare the Georgia World Congress Center Authority for public-safety and infrastructure costs tied to major sporting events.

The subcommittee recorded a motion and voice vote approving the economic development section; committee materials will include transfer language and invoicing details.

Ending

Implementing the transfers and wildfire-reimbursement adjustments will require agency coordination and, in some cases, documentation from counties and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority to support one‑time expenditures.