Category: Russ Goodman

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 8^th 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

ATLANTA (July 15, 2024) — The Joint Agriculture Chairmen’s Ag Issues Summit has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 9:30 A.M. at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry. This annual event is a critical gathering for discussing key issues in the agricultural sector. It will feature insights from various industry leaders and the House and Senate Committees on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs.

Sen. Russ Goodman (R–Cogdell), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, emphasized the importance of this event: “Each year, the Ag Issues Summit serves as a pivotal platform for our agricultural community to come together, exchange knowledge, and address the pressing challenges we face. It is an invaluable opportunity to foster collaboration and innovation within our industry. We look forward to seeing you in Perry and engaging in meaningful discussions to further strengthen our agricultural community.”

Leaders in the Ag Industry will generously provide coffee and lunch to attendees at no charge. However, due to limited space and to ensure adequate preparations, an RSVP is required. Please respond no later than Friday, August 16, 2024.

To RSVP, please send the following information for each attendee to Rachel Whitted at Rachel.Whitted@senate.ga.gov:

• Full Name:
• Organization:
• Phone Number:

The Summit will be held in the Miller Murphy Howard Building, 401 Larry Walker Pkwy, Perry, Georgia 31069.

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Sen. Russ Goodman serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. He represents Senate District 8, 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

ATLANTA (Mar. 20, 2024) — Today, the Georgia State Senate agreed to the House Substitute to Senate Bill 465, sponsored by Sen. Russ Goodman (R–Cogdell).

Senate Bill 465, known as “Austin’s Law,” is named after a Georgian who unwittingly ingested a pill laced with fentanyl and subsequently lost his life. This measure establishes a new category of offense, felony aggravated involuntary manslaughter, under which drug dealers and distributors can now be prosecuted. Following consideration by the Georgia House of Representatives, the bill will now also provide for the offense of unlawfully possessing a pill press, tableting machine, encapsulating machine or other controlled substance counterfeiting materials.

“Today, the Georgia General Assembly made a tremendous step in combatting the fentanyl crisis in our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones. “I am proud that the Senate and the House recognize the seriousness of this crisis, and I am hopeful that the passage of ‘Austin’s Law’ will help to prevent the senseless deaths of Georgians. With the passage of this bill, those who traffic illicit substances like fentanyl will be held accountable for their deadly actions.”

“I am beyond pleased that the SB 465 is now headed to our Governor’s desk for signage into law. This legislation is of utmost importance to me and many others as it will protect people like Austin from those who would harm our communities and kill our loved ones. This measure is a true testament to the Georgia General Assembly’s commitment to protecting the lives of Georgians,” said Sen. Goodman.

Sen. Goodman furthered his statement by saying “I would like to extend my thanks to our Lieutenant Governor. Burt Jones who made this issue a priority. Lt. Gov. Jones has been a vocal advocate for increased legislation regarding the war against fentanyl trafficking. Furthermore, I would like to thank Austin’s parents, Gus and Beth Walters, who brought this important issue to my attention and made several trips up from Valdosta to the Capitol to continue to advocate for their son Austin.”

SB 465 will now head to Governor Brian P. Kemp’s desk to be signed into law.

Read the full text of SB 465 here.

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Sen. Russ Goodman serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. He represents Senate District 8 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