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GeorgiaHB 11612025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Motor vehicles; proper operation upon approach by an authorized emergency vehicle or by a law enforcement vehicle for purposes of a traffic stop; provide

Sponsored By: Jasmine Clark (Democrat), Leesa Hagan (Republican), Soo Hong (Republican), Marvin Lim (Democrat), Matt Reeves (Republican), Mary Ann Santos (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

Public Safety and Homeland SecurityPublic SafetyGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Fleeing drivers face distance-based prison sentences

Beginning July 1, 2026, specified fleeing convictions carry 30 days of imprisonment per mile, within existing minimum and maximum sentences. This applies when the officer or police vehicle serves Georgia's Capitol Police, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, or Uniform Division on official duty. Only miles traveled after the officer tells the dispatcher about the flight count. The judge or jury must find that distance beyond a reasonable doubt; an undetermined distance counts as zero miles. These sentences cannot be suspended, probated, deferred, reduced, merged with another offense, or served at the same time as another sentence.

Camera notices warn of registration blocks

Beginning July 1, 2026, school-zone traffic camera notices must warn owners about losing access to vehicle registration renewal. If you neither pay nor contest the citation in court on time, you lose the right to contest it. You also cannot renew the cited vehicle's registration until the citation is resolved.

Drivers must meet window tint limits

Beginning July 1, 2026, vehicles driven in Georgia must meet window-tint limits unless a legal exception applies. Front side and door windows must let through at least 28% of light, with a 3-percentage-point tolerance. Rear side and door windows and the rear windshield must let through at least 15%, with the same tolerance. Tint or glazing cannot raise light reflection above 20%. Exceptions or different treatment apply to multipurpose passenger vehicles, school buses, religious or nonprofit buses and vans, limousines, and factory or federally permitted tint.

Drivers get safer rules for pulling over

Beginning July 1, 2026, drivers must yield to authorized emergency vehicles using the required lights and siren. Move as far right as possible, clear of intersections, and stop until the vehicle passes unless an officer directs otherwise. When an officer in a marked police vehicle signals a traffic stop using lights and siren, pull right without blocking traffic. Stop clear of intersections and remain stopped until directed otherwise. If stopping there is unsafe, use flashing lights or a turn signal, obey the posted maximum speed, and continue to a reasonably safe stopping place.

School-zone cameras face limits and warnings

Beginning July 1, 2026, counties and cities need a state transportation permit before installing school-zone speed cameras. They must already hold a state public safety speed-detection permit, and approval depends on demonstrated need. Roads with more than two lanes require a prior history showing need; four-lane school zones require a crosswalk across those lanes. Beginning July 1, 2027, warning signs must be at least 24 by 30 inches, visible to all lanes and in all conditions, and placed within 500 feet before the reduced-speed sign. When cameras are authorized to issue tickets, the warnings must accurately display approaching vehicles' speeds and include flashing yellow lights.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Jasmine Clark

    Democrat • House

  • Leesa Hagan

    Republican • House

  • Soo Hong

    Republican • House

  • Marvin Lim

    Democrat • House

  • Matt Reeves

    Republican • House

  • Mary Ann Santos

    Democrat • House

Cosponsors

  • John Albers

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 447 • No: 37

Senate vote • 4/3/2026

AGREE TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 33 • No: 19 • Other: 3

House vote • 4/2/2026

Agree to Senate Sub as Am

Yes: 163 • No: 6 • Other: 8

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT #1 BY THE SENATOR FROM THE 29TH

Yes: 43 • No: 7 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 46 • No: 3 • Other: 3

House vote • 2/19/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 162 • No: 2 • Other: 11

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2026

  2. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/12/2026House

  3. Act 640

    5/12/2026

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/10/2026House

  5. House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub As Amended

    4/2/2026House

  6. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

    4/2/2026Senate

  7. Senate Third Read

    3/31/2026Senate

  8. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/31/2026Senate

  9. Senate Read Second Time

    3/20/2026Senate

  10. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/19/2026Senate

  11. Senate Read and Referred

    2/20/2026Senate

  12. House Third Readers

    2/19/2026House

  13. House Passed/Adopted

    2/19/2026House

  14. House Committee Favorably Reported

    2/12/2026House

  15. House Second Readers

    2/4/2026House

  16. House First Readers

    2/3/2026House

  17. House Hopper

    2/2/2026House

Bill Text

  • HB 1161/AP* (v14)

    PDF

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