Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia HB1161: Motor vehicles; proper operation upon approach by an authorized emergency vehicle or by a law enforcement vehicle for purposes of a traffic stop; provide
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for proper operation of a motor vehicle upon approach by an authorized emergency vehicle or by a law enforcement vehicle for purposes of a traffic stop; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for proper operation of a motor vehicle upon approach by an authorized emergency vehicle or by a law enforcement vehicle for purposes of a traffic stop; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for proper operation of a motor vehicle upon approach by an authorized emergency vehicle or by a law enforcement vehicle for purposes of a traffic stop; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, is amended by revising Code Section 40-6-74, relating to operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency vehicles, as follows: "40-6-74. (a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle or a vehicle belonging to a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency making use of an audible signal and visual signals meeting the requirements of Code Section 40-6-6, the driver operator of every other vehicle in proximity to such approaching vehicle shall yield the right of way to the authorized emergency vehicle and shall immediately drive move the vehicle to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of H. B. 1161 LC 39 4819 the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until …
Sponsors
- John Albers (R) · primary sponsor
- Marvin Lim (D, 98) · primary sponsor
- Clark, Jasmine (D, 108)
- Mary Ann Santos (D, 117)
- Soo Hong (R, 103)
- Matt Reeves (R, 99)
- Leesa Hagan (R, 156)
Latest actions
- : Effective Date
- : Act 640
- : House Date Signed by Governor
- : House Sent to Governor
- : Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
- : House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub As Amended
- : Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
- : Senate Third Read
- : Senate Read Second Time
- : Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
Votes
- Senate Vote #982 (April 3, 2026): 33 yea, 19 nay, passed
- House Vote #864 (April 2, 2026): 163 yea, 6 nay, passed
- Senate Vote #909 (March 31, 2026): 46 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Senate Vote #908 (March 31, 2026): 43 yea, 7 nay, passed
- House Vote #534 (February 19, 2026): 162 yea, 2 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB1161?
- HB1161 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Motor vehicles; proper operation upon approach by an authorized emergency vehicle or by a law enforcement vehicle for purposes of a traffic stop; provide.
- What does HB1161 do?
- In its own words: To amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for proper operation of a motor vehicle upon approach by an authorized emergency vehicle or by a law enforcement vehicle for purposes of a traffic stop; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
- What is the status of HB1161?
- Signed into law as of May 12, 2026. Latest action: Effective Date (July 1, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1161?
- John Albers (R), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1161?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72733
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.