Bill Text: GA HB225 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Agriculture; state promote sustainable agriculture; provide

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-07-01 - Effective Date [HB225 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-HB225-Introduced.html

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11 LC 25 5814S/AP

House Bill 225 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)

By: Representatives Holmes of the 125th, England of the 108th, and McCall of the 30th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Chapter 1 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to agriculture, so as to define a term; to provide that it shall be the policy of this state to promote sustainable agriculture; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Chapter 1 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to agriculture, is amended by revising Code Section 2-1-1, relating to definitions, as follows:

"2-1-1.

As used in this title, the term:

(1) 'Commissioner' means the Commissioner of Agriculture.

(2) 'Department' means the Department of Agriculture of this state.

(3) 'Sustainable agriculture' or 'sustainable agricultural practices' means science-based agricultural practices, technologies, or biological systems supported by research or otherwise demonstrated to lead to broad outcomes-based improvements, which may include but not be limited to such critical outcomes as increasing agricultural productivity and improving human health through access to safe, nutritious, affordable food and other agricultural products, while enhancing agricultural and surrounding environmental conditions through the stewardship of water, soil, air quality, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat, so as to meet the needs of the present and improve the ability for future generations to meet their own needs while advancing progress toward environmental, social, and economic goals and the well-being of agricultural producers and rural communities."

SECTION 2.

Said chapter is further amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:

"2-1-1.1.

It shall be the policy of this state to promote sustainable agriculture."

SECTION 3.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.