Georgia State Rep. Marvin Lim has introduced a bill in the state House to clarify driver obligations when interacting with emergency and law enforcement vehicles, according to the Georgia State House.
Filed as HB1161 on Monday, Feb. 2 in the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, the bill is formally titled: ’Motor vehicles; proper operation upon approach by an authorized emergency vehicle or by a law enforcement vehicle for purposes of a traffic stop; provide’.
This summary is based on the official bill text, with added interpretations for clarity.
The proposed changes would update Georgia’s traffic laws to specify how drivers must respond to both emergency and law enforcement vehicles and during traffic stops. Under the bill, motorists would need to yield immediately, move in parallel as closely as possible to the right-hand curb or edge, avoid intersections, and stop until the emergency or law enforcement vehicle has passed or until instructed otherwise by an officer. In case of a traffic stop, drivers are instructed to pull over without blocking traffic, and if doing so is unsafe, they can use flashing or turn signals, follow the speed limit, and drive to the nearest safe location before coming to a stop.
The bill includes co-sponsors Sen. John Albers (Republican-56th), Rep. Jasmine Clark (Democrat-108th), Rep. Leesa Hagan (Republican-156th), and three additional legislators.
Since the start of the current session, Lim has filed 12 other bills.
Lim earned his BA from Emory University in 2005 and later obtained a JD from Yale University in 2013.
The Democrat was elected to represent Georgia’s 98th House District in 2023, taking over from previous representative David Clark.
The Georgia legislative process begins when a legislator, sometimes following a constituent’s request, drafts a bill with the Office of Legislative Counsel. After introduction by the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, the bill gets its first reading and is assigned to a committee, where most discussion and research occur. Once approved by committee, it proceeds to the chamber floor for further reading, debate, and a vote. Bills must pass both chambers, and if amended, get reconciled. The governor has six days during the session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or permit it to become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly meets for a 40-day annual session beginning on the second Monday in January.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB1053 | 01/27/2026 | Law enforcement officers and agencies; local law enforcement involvement with immigration and cooperation with federal authorities; repeal provisions |
| HB1010 | 01/16/2026 | Commerce and trade; annual reports of the value of securities sold or offered to be sold; provide |
| HB673 | 02/27/2025 | Criminal procedure; limitations on bars to first offender treatment for certain minor offenders adjudicated as adults; provide |
| HB642 | 02/26/2025 | Georgia Dye Free School Meals Act; enact |
| HB641 | 02/26/2025 | Public utilities; require electric supplier to hold the proposed discontinuation of electrical service to a residential customer who suffers from a serious illness in abeyance for a certain period of time |
| HB607 | 02/24/2025 | Public Health, Department of; two-year pilot program for home visiting in homes of children with asthma; provisions |
| HB606 | 02/24/2025 | FAIR Plan Stabilization Act; enact |
| HB605 | 02/24/2025 | Public Health, Department of; continue operation of Georgia Tobacco Quit Line, subject to appropriations of funds; require |
| HB437 | 02/12/2025 | State Board of Education; establish rules and regulations for local school system outreach efforts regarding ESOL program; require |
| HB190 | 01/29/2025 | Property; prohibit condominium and property owners’ associations from retaliating against property owners for taking certain actions |
| HB189 | 01/29/2025 | Notaries public; limitations regarding certain notarial acts; provide |
| HB188 | 01/29/2025 | Criminal procedure; extend certain protections for victims of family violence and stalking with respect to residential leases |
This article is based on information from the Georgia State House. Source data can be found here.
