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Sen. Russ Goodman Urges USDA Secretary to Extend Indemnity Coverage to Georgia Counties Impacted by Hurricane Helene

ATLANTA (October 30, 2024) —Sen. Russ Goodman (R–Cogdell), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, has formally requested that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) re-evaluate its coverage area for the Hurricane Indemnity Program to include several Georgia counties heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene. In a letter sent to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Sen. Goodman emphasized the urgent need for support for Georgia’s agricultural community, citing an estimated $6.4 billion in total damage to the state’s agricultural industry, with direct crop losses expected to exceed $3 billion.

Several counties—Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Effingham, Evans, Jenkins, Lincoln, Long, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall and Wayne—were excluded from the USDA Risk Management Agency’s initial coverage, potentially leaving local farmers without access to vital resources for recovery. Sen. Goodman’s letter, co-signed by several of his legislative colleagues, calls for a thorough analysis of the hurricane’s impact on these areas, leveraging all available data from reliable sources such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and IBTrACS.

“Seeing almost every Senator in our state come together on this issue speaks volumes about the gravity of the situation our farming families are facing,” said Sen. Goodman. “These farmers did their part by investing in Hurricane Indemnity policies. Now, they deserve to see the USDA step up to the plate. The impact of Hurricane Helene is apparent, and our farmers are counting on Secretary Vilsack to act, ensuring they are able to financially recover and rebuild from this devastation. As a legislative body, we’re united in backing our farmers and the belief that they deserve the support they were promised.”

Sen. Goodman’s letter also highlighted challenges due to Hurricane Helene’s impact on the National Center for Environmental Information, emphasizing that these data limitations should not hinder the assessment of damages in affected regions.

You can find a copy of the letter to Secretary Vilsack here.

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Sen. Russ Goodman serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. He represents the 8th Senate District, which includes Atkinson, Clinch, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes and Pierce Counties and a large portion of Ware County. He may be reached at 404.656.7454 or at russ.goodman@senate.ga.gov

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Senate Natural Resources and Environment: Disaster Mitigation and Resilience Subcommittee to Hold First Meeting

ATLANTA (October 30, 2024) — On Monday, November 4, at 9:00 a.m., the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Subcommittee on Disaster Mitigation and Resilience, chaired by Sen. Lee Anderson (R–Grovetown), will hold its first meeting in Newnan.

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Sen. Donzella James to Hold Senate Urban Affairs Committee Meeting on Home Owners/Property Owners/Condominium Owners Associations, Sapelo Island Tragedy

ATLANTA (October 28, 2024) — On Thursday, October 31,at 11:00 a.m., the Senate Committee on Urban Affairs, chaired by Sen. Donzella James (D–Atlanta), will hold its third meeting of the interim. All members of the public who wish to testify via Zoom about the Sapelo Island gangway collapse must sign up prior to the meeting. You may sign up here.

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Senate Study Committee on the Preservation of Georgia’s Farmlands to Hold Fourth Meeting

ATLANTA (October 23, 2024) — On Monday, October 28, at 10:00 a.m., the Senate Study Committee on the Preservation of Georgia’s Farmlands, chaired by Sen. Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro), will hold its fourth meeting at the Polk County College and Career Academy, Cedartown Campus.

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Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee to Hold Third Meeting

ATLANTA (October 22, 2024) — On Tuesday, October 29th,2024, at 11:00 a.m., the Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee, chaired by President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon), will hold its third hearing.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2024
  • Time: 11:00 a.m.
  • Location: Delta Airlines Headquarters – 1030 Delta Blvd, Hapeville, GA 30354
  • This event is open to the public and will be live-streamed on the Georgia General Assembly website here. Please note that there is a link to RSVP to the meeting pursuant to Delta’s security policies. We ask that all guests and staff planning to attend fill out this attendance questionnaire and bring a Photo ID to the meeting.

ABOUT THE MEETING:         

The Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee examines how public policy can encourage investment in facilities that create sustainable manufacturing components, practices, and energy derived from Georgia-grown products.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Jantz Womack at SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov. 

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Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18th Senate District which includes Upson, Monroe, Peach, Crawford, as well as portions of Bibb and Houston County. He may be reached at 404.656.6578 or by email at john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov.