Governor signs special session legislation, including tax credit for timber farmers and collection suspension of the state’s jet fuel tax
Gov. Nathan Deal Saturday signed legislation following the special session of the Georgia General Assembly that began on Nov. 13. HB 1EX amends the Fiscal Year 2019 budget to provide roughly $270 million in emergency funding for state agencies and local governments in areas most heavily impacted by Hurricane Michael.
Deal also signed HB 4EX, which creates a tax credit for certain taxpayers within Southwest Georgia’s timber industry who incurred significant expenses due to Hurricane Michael.
Finally, Deal signed HB 5EX, which ratifies Deal’s executive order from July 30, 2018, and suspends collection of the state’s 4 percent sales and use tax on jet fuel through the end of FY 2019.
“The work of the General Assembly this week will help the families, businesses, farmers and communities that were most severely impacted by Hurricane Michael,” said Deal. “By providing roughly $270 million to help our neighbors in Southwest Georgia, the appropriations in this amended budget will provide critical support for devastated communities, including those most heavily dependent on agriculture and the timber industry.”
Southwest Georgia experienced approximately $2.5 billion in agriculture and timber industry losses as a result of Hurricane Michael.
