Georgia House bill by author Rep. Jenkins on mobile sawmills and agricultural land passes House and Senate

Passed bill introduced by State Rep. David Jenkins aims to prevent local governments from enacting ordinances that restrict mobile sawmills on agricultural land, following approval in both chambers, according to the Georgia State House.

It passed both chambers as of Thursday, April 2, clearing the House by a vote of 96-70 and the Senate by a vote of 49-0.

The bill, introduced as HB413 on Wednesday, Feb. 12 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Agriculture; prohibit local ordinances that prohibit operation of mobile sawmills on agricultural land’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends Chapter 1 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to prohibit local governments from enacting ordinances that restrict or ban the operation of mobile sawmills on agricultural lands. The bill defines “agricultural land” as land used for agricultural or horticultural purposes, excluding lands zoned for nonagricultural use, and classifies mobile sawmills as agricultural equipment. Furthermore, it considers waste byproducts from sawmills, such as sawdust and bark, as well as the lumber produced, to be agricultural products. The bill does not affect local governments’ existing zoning powers or regulations on the land application of human waste. Any conflicting laws are repealed.

In the House, nine Democrats and 87 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while 64 Democrats and six Republicans opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 18 Democrats and 31 Republicans voted in favor, with no opposing votes.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Charlice Byrd (Republican-20th), Rep. Joe Campbell (Republican-171st), and Rep. David Huddleston (Republican-72nd), along with two other co-sponsors.

Jenkins graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2008 with a BS.

Jenkins, a Republican, was elected to the Georgia State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 136th House District, replacing previous state representative Carolyn Hugley.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday, April 22.

In Georgia, the legislative process begins when a lawmaker, often at a constituent’s request, works with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. After filing with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, the bill receives its first reading and is sent to a committee, where most of the debate and fact-finding takes place. If approved, it advances to the floor for a third reading, debate, and a vote. To become law, the bill must pass both chambers, sometimes through a conference committee if versions differ, before being sent to the governor. The governor then has six days during session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly meets annually for a 40-day session beginning the second Monday in January.

Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State House. The source data can be found here.