Georgia farmers would get some help navigating the federal guest-worker program under the amended budget the House approved Friday.

The spending plan calls for the Department of Agriculture to use $75,000 to hire specialists to guide farmers through the federal process, said Rep. Terry England, R-Auburn, who is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. These positions would likely be needed for just a year or two, he said.

Lawmakers said some farmers have struggled to hire enough field workers since the state passed last year's illegal immigration law.

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State Election Board Vice Chair Janice Johnston speaks during an election board meeting at the Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

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Waymo autonomous vehicles operate across 65 square miles inside I-285 and have been involved in six incidents with Atlanta Public School buses since May. Waymo issued a recall because of their cars briefly stopping or slowing down before continuing forward while a bus was stopped and flashing its lights. (Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools)

Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools