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House · Engrossed · 2025-2026 Regular Session

HB 1076: Crimes and offenses; create felony offense of obstruction of a law enforcement officer with a motor vehicle

Last action March 25, 2026 · Senate Read Second Time

House Bill 1076 would create a new Georgia felony for using a car to block, hinder, or interfere with a law enforcement officer doing their job, punishable by up to five years in prison.

Read the full bill text

These buttons carry the bill's own text, not the summaries below. Copy for LLM, View as markdown, and Send to AI use the Markdown version: the text as filed, then the summaries under a heading that names them as ours. View raw is the text alone.

The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.

In plain language

Georgia law already criminalizes obstructing law enforcement officers, but this bill adds a specific new crime aimed at using a motor vehicle to interfere with officers. It amends the state's obstruction laws (O.C.G.A. Title 16, Chapter 10, Article 2) by adding a new Code section, 16-10-24.5. Under the bill, a person commits this offense when they use a moving or stationary motor vehicle to knowingly obstruct, hinder, block, or otherwise interfere with a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer who is lawfully carrying out official duties. The bill borrows the definition of 'motor vehicle' from existing Georgia traffic law (O.C.G.A. § 40-1-1). A conviction is a felony, carrying a fine of up to $100,000 and a prison sentence of one to five years. The bill does not include a stated effective date beyond the standard repeal of conflicting laws.

What the bill does

  • Creates a new felony crime, obstruction of a law enforcement officer with a motor vehicle, under a new Code section 16-10-24.5.
  • Defines the offense as knowingly using a moving or stationary vehicle to obstruct, hinder, block, or interfere with a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer performing official duties.
  • Sets the penalty at a fine of up to $100,000 and imprisonment of one to five years upon conviction.
  • Adopts the existing legal definition of 'motor vehicle' from Georgia's traffic code (O.C.G.A. § 40-1-1) rather than writing a new one.
  • Repeals any existing Georgia laws that conflict with this new offense.

Who it affects

Drivers who interact with law enforcement, including at traffic stops, protests, or pursuits, would face this new felony charge if they use a vehicle to block or interfere with officers. Federal, state, and local law enforcement officers are the protected class under the new offense, and prosecutors and courts would apply the new charge and penalties.

Why it matters

People who use a vehicle to block, hinder, or interfere with police, whether intentionally in a confrontation or in ambiguous situations like refusing to move during a stop, could now face a felony conviction, a large fine, and mandatory prison time rather than a lesser existing charge.

Key provisions

  • Section 1 adds new Code section 16-10-24.5 to Georgia's obstruction of public administration laws (Title 16, Chapter 10, Article 2).
  • Subsection (a) defines 'motor vehicle' by reference to the definition already used in Georgia's motor vehicle code (O.C.G.A. § 40-1-1).
  • Subsection (b) defines the offense: knowingly using a moving or stationary motor vehicle to obstruct, hinder, block, or interfere with a law enforcement officer performing lawful duties.
  • Subsection (c) sets the penalty as a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $100,000 and imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than five years.
  • Section 2 repeals any conflicting state laws.

From the bill

“A person commits the offense of obstruction of a law enforcement officer with a motor vehicle when, by means of a moving or stationary motor vehicle, he or she knowingly obstructs, hinders, blocks, or otherwise interferes with any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer in the lawful discharge of his or her official duties.”

This defines the new felony crime the bill creates.

“A person convicted of the offense of obstruction of a law enforcement officer with a motor vehicle shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100,000.00 and by imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than five years.”

This sets the punishment range for the new felony.

Discussed in meetings (12)

The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.

  1. House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, February 23, 2026

    From 0:34:07 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1076 would make knowingly obstructing law enforcement with a moving or stationary vehicle a felony, arguing that vehicles create greater danger than ordinary obstruction. The sponsor cited a 48 percent rise in officer deaths involving vehicles from 2023 to 2024, but acknowledged under questioning that the figure covered all vehicle incidents, not specifically intentional obstruction. A supporting former prosecutor described vehicles blocking police access to street racing and other scenes. Members questioned overlap with existing felonies, punishment without injury, the meaning of knowingly, and whether people freezing under stress could be charged. The sponsor said knowledge implied intent and involuntary freezing would fall outside the proposal. The sponsor also said parked vehicles could block emergency access. A Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers witness recommended a higher-level misdemeanor instead and judicial discretion between fines and imprisonment. An ACLU of Georgia witness argued existing violent-obstruction and aggravated-assault laws were sufficient and urged removing stationary vehicles. The Prosecuting Attorneys' Council stated no position. The committee approved the bill by voice vote despite audible opposition and sent it to Rules.

  2. House Rules Committee, February 25, 2026

    From 0:27:27 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 1580

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1076 would make knowingly using a motor vehicle to obstruct or interfere with an officer's lawful duties a felony. The sponsor said vehicles create a greater risk of injury than other forms of obstruction and described the bill as protecting officers and the public. No questions or scheduling decision followed.

  3. House floor session, February 25, 2026 (legislative day 24)

    From 5:30:12 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the bill's status history (House Postponed)

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair announced that consideration of HB 1076 was postponed until the next legislative day. No substantive discussion or vote was shown.

  4. House Rules Committee, February 25, 2026

    From 0:22:44 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 1580

    Summary by Georgia Commons: Following a motion and second, the chair added HB 1076 to the supplemental calendar under modified structure without stated opposition. No provisions were discussed.

  5. House floor session, February 26, 2026 (legislative day 25, PM)

    From 1:01:33 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair announced that HB 1076 would be postponed until the next legislative day. No substantive discussion occurred.

  6. House floor session, March 3, 2026 (legislative day 26, PM)

    From 5:06:09 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 1759

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1076 would make knowingly using a vehicle to obstruct police a felony, even without violence or injury, to deter dangerous interference. The sponsor cited support from the Georgia Sheriffs' Association and Georgia Chiefs of Police, said 24 other states classify the conduct as a felony, and reported a 48% increase in on-duty vehicle-related deaths from 2023 to 2024. Asked about parked cars, the sponsor said deliberately parking to block an operation would qualify, but a car already parked before an operation would not. Opponents argued existing laws cover dangerous conduct and warned that vague language could criminalize protests, confused drivers or bystanders. One opponent described penalties of up to five years and $100,000. Another cited ChatGPT-generated analysis supporting opposition. A minority-report speaker linked the bill to fears surrounding immigration enforcement and described detention conditions. Another warned of officers stretching charges. The sponsor denied an immigration focus and defended the bill's deterrent effect and constitutionality. During voting, a member urged stronger intent language, arguing that knowingly acting is insufficient. No amendment was adopted. The House passed the bill 97-64.

  7. Senate Judiciary Committee, March 23, 2026

    From 1:06:34 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1076 would make knowingly obstructing law enforcement with a moving or stationary vehicle a felony, arguing that vehicles create serious risks before anyone is injured. The sponsor cited a 48% rise in officer deaths involving motor vehicles from 2023 to 2024 and said 24 other states classify comparable conduct as a felony. Asked about parked vehicles, the sponsor said intentional blocking could qualify without injury. One member questioned whether that penalty was proportionate. Another asked about someone locking themselves inside a car during an investigation; the sponsor had no clear answer, while a supporting former prosecutor emphasized proof of intent. Members also questioned the meaning of obstruction and the proposed penalties. An ACLU of Georgia witness argued that existing felony laws already cover dangerous conduct and opposed treating parked and moving vehicles alike. A second witness, describing hearing loss, sought clearer protection for unknowing conduct. Supporters stressed deterrence and officer and public safety. An amendment removing stationary vehicles failed 3 to 3. The chair broke a second tie, approving the bill 4 to 3.

Status timeline

  1. 2026-03-25Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
  2. 2026-03-25Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
  3. 2026-03-04Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
  4. 2026-03-03House Passed/Adopted (House)
  5. 2026-03-03House Third Readers (House)
  6. 2026-02-26House Postponed (House)
  7. 2026-02-25House Postponed (House)
  8. 2026-02-24House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
Show full history (11 actions)
  1. 2026-02-02House Second Readers (House)
  2. 2026-01-29House First Readers (House)
  3. 2026-01-28House Hopper (House)

Sponsors

  • Ginny Ehrhart (R, HD-36)Primary sponsor
  • James Burchett (R, HD-176)
  • Clint Crowe (R, HD-118)
  • Steven Sainz (R, HD-180)
  • Tyler Paul Smith (R, HD-18)
  • David Jenkins (R, HD-136)
  • Jason T. Dickerson (R, SD-21)

Votes

  1. PassedHouse voteMarch 3, 2026

    97 yea, 64 nay (3 not voting, 13 excused)

    PASSAGE: House Vote #598

Topics

  • law enforcement
  • criminal penalties
  • obstruction laws
  • felony offenses
  • traffic stops

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HB1076: Crimes and offenses; create felony offense of obstruction of a law enforcement officer with a motor vehicle | Georgia Commons