Rep. Lim’s emergency vehicle response bill clears Georgia legislature and becomes law

A new measure introduced by State Rep. Marvin Lim clarifies the expected actions of drivers during emergency vehicle responses and traffic stops, after winning passage in both the House and Senate, the Georgia State House reports.

The bill cleared both legislative chambers on Friday, April 3, with votes of 163-6 in the House and 33-19 in the Senate.

Brought forward as HB1161 on Monday, Feb. 2 in the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, the bill carries the formal description: ’Motor vehicles; proper operation upon approach by an authorized emergency vehicle or by a law enforcement vehicle for purposes of a traffic stop; provide’.

Here is a summary, referencing the actual bill text, to help clarify its main provisions.

The law updates Georgia’s traffic codes on how motor vehicle operators must respond when encountering emergency and law enforcement vehicles. It mandates that drivers immediately yield, move parallel and as close to the right-hand edge or curb as possible, stay out of intersections, and stop until the emergency or law enforcement vehicle passes or unless instructed otherwise by an officer. For traffic stops, drivers are required to pull over promptly without obstructing traffic, but if the initial location is unsafe, may alert with flashing lights or a turn signal, continue at the posted speed, and stop at the nearest safe site.

Within the House, the legislation received support from 70 Democrats and 93 Republicans. Three Democrats and three Republicans voted against it.

In the Senate, one Democrat and 32 Republicans backed the bill, while 19 Democrats opposed.

The bill’s co-sponsors include Rep. Jasmine Clark (Democrat-108th), Rep. Leesa Hagan (Republican-156th), Rep. Soo Hong (Republican-103rd), and three additional lawmakers.

Lim earned his BA from Emory University in 2005 and a JD from Yale University in 2013.

A Democrat, Lim was elected to represent Georgia’s 98th House District in 2023, taking over from former Rep. David Clark.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed the bill into law on Tuesday, May 12.

As outlined on Georgia’s legislative process page, state lawmaking typically begins when a legislator, sometimes prompted by a constituent, collaborates with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. After being filed with the House Clerk or Senate Secretary, it receives a first reading and committee referral, where much of the debate and research takes place. Upon committee approval, the bill moves to the chamber floor for a third reading, debate, and a final vote. Passage through both chambers—potentially requiring reconciliation by conference committee if versions differ—sends the measure to the governor, who then has six days during session, or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die), to sign, veto, or allow it to become law without signature. The Georgia General Assembly convenes annually for a 40-day session starting the second Monday of January.

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