HB 64: Crimes and offenses; require an owner of an assault weapon to procure and maintain sufficient liability insurance

This bill creates a new legal category called an 'assault weapon,' defined as a semiautomatic rifle that can accept a detachable magazine holding more than ten rounds. Starting January 1, 2026, any Georgia resident who owns such a weapon would have to buy and keep at least $1 million in liability insurance covering death, injury, disability, or property damage connected to owning, storing, or using the weapon. Owners would have to keep proof of coverage where the weapon is stored and carry it when the weapon is in public, and show it to police on request. The bill exempts weapons that are permanently inoperable, reported lost or stolen within 48 hours, on-duty law enforcement and corrections officers, and National Guard or military members. It also sets up an affirmative defense for owners denied insurance by two insurers, who qualify as indigent, or who can show they store the weapon safely and act responsibly. Insurers offering this coverage face new rules on what they can ask for and must report data to the state Insurance Commissioner, who would write implementing regulations.

• Defines 'assault weapon' as a semiautomatic rifle able to accept a detachable magazine holding more than ten rounds, and defines 'assault weapon owner.'
• Requires assault weapon owners to obtain and maintain at least $1 million in liability insurance covering death, injury, disability, or property damage tied to the weapon, starting January 1, 2026.
• Requires owners to keep and show proof of insurance to police, and makes failure to insure or show proof a misdemeanor with fines up to $100 for a first offense and $1,000 for later offenses.
• Exempts law enforcement, corrections officers, National Guard and military members acting in their official duties, and owners of inoperable or reported lost/stolen weapons.
• Creates an affirmative defense for owners denied insurance by two insurers, who are legally indigent, or who show responsible ownership and safe storage.
• Adds insurance regulations limiting coverage to accidental acts, barring insurers from demanding weapon serial numbers, and requiring insurers to report data and notify the Commissioner of coverage changes.

Georgia residents who own semiautomatic rifles that accept detachable high capacity magazines, insurance companies that write liability policies covering such weapons, law enforcement officers who must check for compliance, and the state Insurance Commissioner's office, which would write new rules and collect insurer data.

Owners of the covered rifles would face a new financial requirement and potential misdemeanor charges and fines if they do not carry insurance or cannot show proof of it. Insurers would face new restrictions on what they can ask policyholders and new reporting duties to the state.

• Section 1 states legislative findings, including a reference to the September 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School, as rationale for the bill.
• New Code Section 16-11-180 defines 'assault weapon,' 'assault weapon owner,' 'high capacity magazine,' and 'liability insurance' for purposes of the new law.
• New Code Section 16-11-181 sets the January 1, 2026 deadline and $1 million minimum coverage requirement, and requires owners to carry proof of insurance.
• New Code Section 16-11-182 makes noncompliance a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $100 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent offenses, and creates an affirmative defense including insurance denial, indigency, or safe storage.
• New Code Section 33-7-3.2 limits required insurance to accidental or unintentional acts, bars insurers from demanding weapon serial numbers, and requires insurers to notify the Commissioner of coverage changes and submit reporting data.
• Section 4 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2025-01-17House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-01-16House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-01-15House Hopper (House)

• Mary Oliver (D, HD-084)Primary sponsor
• Michelle Au (D, HD-050)
• Saira Draper (D, HD-090)
• Shea Roberts (D, HD-052)
• Karen Lupton (D, HD-083)
• Mary Williams (D, HD-037)

• gun laws
• assault weapons
• liability insurance
• gun owner requirements
• public safety