Georgia needs help passing State-wide Chicken Law

[JosephPond]

Senate Leader Chip Rogers supports this bill. It has a ways to go- we have to get it out of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. Rep Tom McCall is the chairman and he fully supports it, as does Rep Terry England. There are 21 members on that committee. Oh look, there they are!

Name Party District E-mail City
McCall, Tom R 30 [email protected] Elberton
Harden, Buddy R 147 [email protected] Cordele
Maddox, Gene R 172 [email protected] Cairo
Anderson, Lee R 117 [email protected] Grovetown
Baker, Glenn D 78 [email protected] Jonesboro
Black, Ellis R 174 [email protected] Valdosta
Burns, Jon R 157 [email protected] Newington
Dickey, Robert R 136 [email protected] Musella
Dukes, Winfred D 150 [email protected] Albany
England, Terry R 108 [email protected] Auburn
Epps, Carl D 128 [email protected] LaGrange
Epps, Bubber R 140 [email protected] Dry Beach
Harden, Michael R 28 [email protected] Toccoa
Holmes, Susan R 125 [email protected] Monticello
James, Lynmore D 135 [email protected] Montezuma
Jasperse, Rick R 12 [email protected] Jasper
Maddox, Billy R 127 [email protected] Concord
McBrayer, Tony R 153 [email protected] Tifton
Roberts, Jay R 154 [email protected] Ocilla
Smith, Tommy R 168 [email protected] Nicholls
Tankersley, Jan R 158 [email protected] Brooklet

 

[Cavry]

Thinking on this subject, WHY should we need a law ALLOWING us to feed ourselves and friends? Something about the concept just rankles my sense of right and WRONG.

 

[JosephPond]

I could not agree with you more! Apathy sets in on a local level & the next thing you know, your rights are gone. I live in Cobb County, population of 700,000 people. You are hard pressed to see 50 people at a Board of Commissioners meeting. One commissioner here told us that if we wanted fresh eggs, go to the store and buy them....

 

[FarmingForFun]

I live in Marietta on more than 2 acres so I am able to keep livestock, but I do find it repulsive that this law exists. There are not many lots in Marietta bigger than 2 acres. I see your banner when I go to Marietta Seed and Feed and am interested in your cause. If you ever need help with an event or anything let me know. I am always up for educating people on the joys of keeping chickens!
Your friendly neighbor Ed B.

 

[JosephPond]

This week, Rep Earl Ehrhart introduced House Bill 853, aka the Georgia Right to Grow Bill. It is now in the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee. Please, contact ALL of the members listed above and tell them to pass this Bill. I heard that they are voting next Wednesday, 2/8. This is our chance! Don't squander it! www.gafoodrights.org

 

[browndog]

I am going to fight for a variance in Paulding County. I had found the Bill 842 and thought it would help me until I learned it didn't pass in 2010. I will be sending some e-mails and making calls for sure!

 

[JosephPond]

House Bill 853 passed in Committee this morning- we lost roosters but gained honeybees. We still need help & support as this was just the first hurdle. Here is a link to the Georgia Legislators-
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ap9Pzl3UYCFrdEw0ajNoSFcwUXNrYUxzVXVmQUdzMmc

 

[wsmoak]

No idea why they had to explicitly mention roosters, it already had an exemption for public nuisance laws. Just as you can't have a dog barking at midnight disturbing your neighbors, you also can't have a rooster crowing at 4am!

Here is the text of the bill: http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20112012/HB/853

The original was much simpler. I hope it still serves the original intent once it gets out of committee!

So, where is it exactly now, and what needs to be done?

-Wendy

 

[faithsstuff]

Anything new on this?

 

[JosephPond]

The Bill is in the Rules Committee, waiting to be put on the Debate Calender. We need people to lobby their legislators! www.gafoodrights.org