HB 1194: Insurance; clarify periods of time for transportation network company services

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 33-1-24) sets rules for how insurance applies to transportation network company drivers, such as those working for rideshare apps. The law breaks a driver's work into time periods, since different insurance requirements apply depending on whether a driver is just logged on and waiting, or actively carrying out a ride. This bill changes the definition of the second period. Currently that period starts when the driver accepts a ride request. The bill would instead start it when the rider actually occupies the vehicle for a requested ride, and it would continue until the driver completes the transaction or the ride is finished, whichever comes later. The change would take effect July 1, 2026, and would apply to insurance policies issued, delivered, or renewed in Georgia on or after that date.

• Changes the point at which the second transportation network company service period begins, from when a driver accepts a ride request to when a rider occupies the vehicle.
• Keeps the end point of that period the same: when the driver completes the transaction or the ride is complete, whichever is later.
• Leaves unchanged the first period, covering the time a driver is logged on and available but has not yet started a ride.
• Sets an effective date of July 1, 2026, applying to insurance policies issued, delivered, or renewed in Georgia on or after that date.

Rideshare drivers working for transportation network companies like Uber or Lyft, the insurance companies that write policies covering them, and riders who use these services in Georgia, since the timing of insurance coverage during a trip would change.

Insurance coverage requirements can differ depending on which service period a driver is in. Moving the start of the second period from ride acceptance to rider pickup could change which insurance policy applies, and to what level, during the gap between accepting a ride and the rider getting in the car.

• Section 1 revises paragraph (5) of subsection (a) in O.C.G.A. § 33-1-24, which defines 'transportation network company services.'
• The revised definition changes subparagraph (B) so the covered period starts when a rider occupies the vehicle, rather than when the driver accepts the ride request.
• Subparagraph (A), covering the time a driver is logged on and waiting for a ride request, is left unchanged.
• The definition continues to exclude taxis, limousine carriers as defined in O.C.G.A. § 40-1-151, and other commercially registered and licensed vehicles.
• Section 2 sets a July 1, 2026 effective date and applies the change to policies issued, delivered, or renewed on or after that date.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-02-06House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-05House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-04House Hopper (House)

• Rob Leverett (R, HD-123)Primary sponsor
• Chuck Efstration (R, HD-104)
• Bruce Williamson (R, HD-112)
• Eddie Lumsden (R, HD-012)

• insurance regulation
• rideshare drivers
• transportation network companies
• auto insurance