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House bars local ordinances that would ban mobile sawmills from agricultural land
Summary
House Bill 413 passed after floor debate clarifying the bill does not remove zoning authority; the measure prevents local ordinances from prohibiting trailer‑ or trailer‑mounted mobile sawmills on agricultural property. Final floor vote was 162–13.
The Georgia House passed House Bill 413, a bill that prohibits local governments from enacting ordinances that ban mobile sawmills from operating on agricultural land. Sponsors and supporters framed the measure as protecting farmers’ rights to process timber on‑site and as promoting sustainability and faster post‑storm cleanup.
Representative David Jenkins, who presented the bill, said mobile sawmills reduce hauling costs, prevent waste, and help landowners repurpose timber that might otherwise be burned or landfilled. He said the bill does not eliminate local zoning authority; the floor caption and the sponsor noted the Georgia Constitution preserves local government power to set zoning.
Lawmakers asked whether jurisdictions had actually enacted bans and whether associations such as the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) or the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) had positions; the sponsor said stakeholders were neutral to the bill. Questioners also asked whether mobile mills are trailer‑mounted and whether the bill creates scale distinctions; the sponsor said the bill calls out trailer‑ or trailer‑mounted units to distinguish them from full commercial sawmills.
Other members noted wildfire risk and post‑disaster cleanup benefits from on‑site milling. Representative Jasmine Clark and others pushed on whether the bill constitutes state preemption of local land‑use control; the sponsor replied that the bill clarifies agricultural practice but does not strip zoning authority from local governments.
The House adopted the bill and the clerk announced a final vote of 162 yeas and 13 nays.
The floor caption identifies the statutory target as Chapter 1 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia (general provisions regarding agriculture). The bill text presented on the floor refers to trailer‑mounted mobile sawmills and states that local ordinances may not ban their operation on agricultural property, while continuing to allow local governments to adopt or enforce zoning ordinances generally.
Supporters said the provision helps small and medium farms respond faster after storms and supports rural economic activity; opponents raised questions about local control and environmental impacts.
