The Keep Georgia Forested Act (HB 134)
House Bill 134 modifies how the existing Georgia Jobs and Investment Tax Credits function for forestry and biofuel manufacturers. This program enables eligible companies to monetize credits during the critical early stages of construction and operations when capital needs are highest and workers are being hired.
What is HB 134?
The Keep Georgia Forested Act modifies how existing Georgia Jobs and Investment Tax Credits function for forestry and biofuel manufacturers — unlocking a powerful new feature: transferability. Companies can now monetize credits during the critical early stages of construction and operations when capital needs are highest and workers are being hired.
State expenditure is capped at $250 million over five years, meaning the program could catalyze over $1 billion in investment across Georgia's rural and forested communities.
Transferability — the key innovation
Forestry and biofuel manufacturers can now transfer or sell earned but unused credits to other Georgia taxpayers. This creates an aggressively competitive incentive that's actionable for early-stage companies long before they have tax liability to offset. Transfers are subject to state reporting requirements.
Eligible industries
A company must use wood fiber, forest-derived biomass, wood residuals, or forestry by-products from domestically sourced virgin timber as a primary feedstock. No NAICS codes are required. Eligible products include:
- Forest products and renewable fuels
- Bio-based chemicals and bioenergy
- Value-added products supporting the forest products supply chain
- Biofuel feedstocks using Georgia-based woody biomass
Eligible companies are certified by the state revenue commissioner in consultation with the director of the State Forestry Commission.
Note: Biofuel feedstocks specifically must be Georgia-based woody biomass — a narrower sourcing requirement than the general "domestically sourced virgin timber" standard above.
Two credits, both amplified
Job Tax Credit
$1,250–$4,000 per new job per year for 5 years, depending on county tier. In certain areas, excess credit may reduce state payroll withholding liability. Unused credits carry forward 5 years. Beginning in 2026, forestry and biofuel manufacturers can also transfer or sell earned but unused Job Tax Credits to other Georgia taxpayers.
Investment Tax Credit
Credits on qualified capital investments of $100,000 or more. Offsets up to 50% of Georgia corporate income tax liability. Any excess carries forward up to 5 years. Credits worth 1%–8% of qualified investment, depending on tier.
Boosted Investment Tax Credit rates for forestry & biofuel manufacturers:
| County tier | Standard rate | New rate under HB 134 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 - most rural | 5% | 15% +10 pts |
| Tier 2 | 3% | 10% +7 pts |
| Tier 3 & 4 | 3% | 3% unchanged |
The standard three-year holding requirement of the Investment Tax Credit is waived for forestry and biofuel manufacturers under this act.
See the full county tiers map here →
Program timeline & sunset
Credits apply to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and prior to January 1, 2031. The transferability program sunsets on December 31, 2030 — but this does not affect a manufacturer's ability to transfer unused credits that were earned before that date.
Shared cap: Because the $250M state cap is shared across all participants, companies that certify and begin earning credits earlier will have more flexibility to transfer or apply them before the 2030 sunset. View HB 134 on the Georgia Legislature website →