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HR 824

The acute and ongoing threat to Georgia's forest posed by the southern pine beetle, and encouraging all Georgia landowners to follow guidance by the Georgia Forestry Commission to mitigate the spread of this destructive pest; commend

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Debbie Buckner and 4 co-sponsors

Georgia House recognizes the southern pine beetle threat and urges landowners to follow Georgia Forestry Commission guidance to reduce spread and damage.

House Read and Adopted
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 824

Summary — H.R. 824 (House Resolution): Recognizing the threat of the southern pine beetle in Georgia

Bill number: H.R. 824
Title (short): Recognizing the acute and ongoing threat to Georgia's forests posed by the southern pine beetle...; encourage landowners to follow Georgia Forestry Commission guidance; commend
Classification: House resolution (non-binding)
Introduced: January 28, 2025
Status: Read and Adopted by the House (adopted May 23, 2025)
Primary sponsors: Lynn Smith, Debbie Buckner, David Huddleston, Vance Smith, Chas Cannon (with additional cosponsors including Beth Van Duyne, Brandon Gill, Claudia Tenney, Pat Fallon, James C. Moylan, Byron Donalds)

Note: the text of the bill package includes an apparently unrelated line referring to the "Government Office Realignment And Closure Act of 2025 (GORAC Act of 2025)" — the main resolution content that follows addresses the southern pine beetle outbreak in Georgia.

Main purpose and intent

H.R. 824 is a formal statement by the Georgia House of Representatives recognizing the acute and ongoing threat that the southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis) poses to Georgia’s forests — particularly in western Georgia — and encouraging landowners statewide to follow guidance provided by the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) to mitigate spread and damage. The resolution highlights the economic, ecological, and recreational importance of properly managed forests.

Key provisions

  • Officially recognizes the significant threat of the southern pine beetle and the heightened outbreak in western Georgia.
  • Commends and endorses the guidance and resources provided by the Georgia Forestry Commission to landowners.
  • Encourages Georgia landowners to take all steps necessary to mitigate spread using sound forest management and the GFC’s best management practices (examples cited: thinning overcrowded stands, removing infested trees).
  • Directs the Clerk of the House to make copies of the resolution available to the public and press.

What the resolution does — and does not — do

  • Does: Serves as a formal, nonbinding statement of concern and encouragement; raises awareness; recognizes the GFC’s role and recommended practices.
  • Does not: Create regulatory mandates, change statutes, appropriate funding, or establish enforcement mechanisms. Implementation depends on voluntary compliance by landowners and possible actions by state agencies.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Private and public landowners of pine forests in Georgia (especially western Georgia).
  • Secondary: Rural economies and industries dependent on timber and forest products (forestry workforce, mill operators), local communities concerned with wildfire risk and forest health, and state agencies (Georgia Forestry Commission).
  • Broader: Conservation organizations, recreational users, and the regional ecosystem services tied to healthy pine forests.

Stated rationale / impact considerations

  • Forestry contributes more than $41 billion annually to Georgia’s economy (as cited in the resolution). Southern pine beetle infestations can cause significant tree mortality, increase wildfire risk, and reduce forest productivity.
  • By encouraging best practices (thinning, removing infested trees, and GFC guidance), the resolution aims to reduce spread and economic/ecological losses, but measurable outcomes depend on landowner participation and available resources.

Legislative timeline and actions

  • Introduced: 2025-01-28; referred to House Oversight and Government Reform and Rules (per jurisdictional referral).
  • House Read / First Readers / Hopper entries: March 27, 2025.
  • Referred to Local & Consent Calendars: April 14, 2025; considered on Local & Consent Calendars April–May 2025.
  • Placed on Congratulatory & Memorial Resolutions Calendar; laid before the House and adopted: May 23, 2025 (nonrecord vote). Reported enrolled May 23, 2025.

Additional notes

  • Because H.R. 824 is a resolution, further practical mitigation — such as funded programs, incentives, or regulatory changes — would require separate legislation or actions by state agencies to provide resources or mandates. The resolution may serve to elevate attention and support coordination between landowners and the Georgia Forestry Commission.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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