Senate study committee adopts report backing state support for forestry innovation

The Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia study committee voted to accept its final report and recommendations, Chair John Kennedy said at the close of the committee meeting. The motion to accept the report "as a draft" was moved by Senator Frank Ginn and seconded by Majority Leader Steve Gooch; the chair called for a voice vote and recorded no opposition.

The committee framed the report around three central recommendations. Kennedy said the first calls for "the relevant state and local entities that promote Georgia in this area" to work together to prioritize a marketing strategy aimed at attracting sustainable aviation fuel and mass timber manufacturers. The second recommends that "funding be allocated to a Georgia based nonprofit or research facility affiliated with a post secondary institution to support the research and development of innovative forestry markets." The third asks for a formal study to identify actions needed to sustain investment in Georgia's pulp and paper industry and for the Georgia Forestry Commission and the Georgia Forestry Association to compile a list of regulations they consider burdensome to the industry.

Senator Larry Walker, a member of the committee, praised the work and said he "fully support[s]" the recommendations, calling the committee’s proceedings "informative." Majority Leader Steve Gooch asked whether the committee had estimated the amount of funding that would be requested for the research recommendation; Kennedy responded that specific appropriation figures had not been determined and that further stakeholder engagement would be needed before making a formal funding request.

Senator Walker also thanked the governor for allocating emergency funding for cleanup and debris removal after Hurricane Helene, a step he called important for helping foresters recover from storm damage. Chair Kennedy acknowledged the Georgia Forestry Commission's "Hurricane Helene Timber Damage Assessment Report" and thanked Johnny Sabo, director of the commission, for producing the assessment and providing extra copies for attendees.

Senator Frank Ginn moved to "accept the findings and the recommendations from the committee and complete our work," and the motion was seconded by Majority Leader Gooch. Chair Kennedy then called for the voice vote: "All those in favor, please raise your hand. Any opposed? None." Senator Halpern, participating remotely, was noted as voting in favor.

The committee adopted the report without amendments. Kennedy closed by thanking the Senate press office, the Senate policy and legislative analysis office, and his staff, and then adjourned the meeting.

The report’s recommendations direct further study, coordination among state marketing and economic development entities, and a potential future appropriation request for research funding; specific funding amounts and implementation timelines were not specified in the committee meeting.