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

Currently Georgia law addresses obstruction of law enforcement officers generally, but this bill adds a specific new crime aimed at using a vehicle to interfere with police. The bill amends Georgia's obstruction of public administration laws (O.C.G.A. Title 16, Chapter 10, Article 2) by adding a new Code section, 16-10-24.5. Under the new section, a person commits the offense when, using a moving or stationary motor vehicle, they knowingly obstruct, hinder, block, or otherwise interfere with any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer doing their official duties. The bill defines 'motor vehicle' using the existing definition in Georgia's motor vehicle code (O.C.G.A. § 40-1-1). Anyone convicted faces a felony punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 and a prison term of one to five years. The bill also repeals any conflicting laws.

• Creates a new felony crime called obstruction of a law enforcement officer with a motor vehicle, added as O.C.G.A. § 16-10-24.5.
• Defines the offense as knowingly using a moving or stationary vehicle to obstruct, hinder, block, or interfere with a law enforcement officer doing official duties.
• Applies the offense to interference with federal, state, or local law enforcement officers, not just Georgia officers.
• Sets punishment at a fine of up to $100,000 and imprisonment of one to five years upon conviction.
• Adopts the existing statutory definition of 'motor vehicle' from Georgia's motor vehicle title (O.C.G.A. § 40-1-1) for use in the new offense.

Drivers who use a vehicle to block, hinder, or interfere with police, whether local, state, or federal officers, would face this new felony charge. Law enforcement officers carrying out official duties are the group the bill is meant to protect from vehicle-based interference.

Someone who currently might face a lesser obstruction charge for blocking or hindering police with a car could instead be charged with a felony carrying up to five years in prison and a $100,000 fine, a significant increase in potential criminal exposure for this specific conduct.

• Section 1 adds new Code Section 16-10-24.5 to Georgia's obstruction of public administration article (O.C.G.A. Title 16, Chapter 10, Article 2).
• Subsection (a) defines 'motor vehicle' by referencing the definition already used elsewhere in Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-1-1).
• Subsection (b) defines the offense: knowingly using a moving or stationary vehicle to obstruct, hinder, block, or interfere with a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer performing lawful duties.
• Subsection (c) makes the offense a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $100,000 and imprisonment of one to five years.
• Section 2 repeals any laws that conflict with the new provision.

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)

• Ginny Ehrhart (R, HD-036)Primary sponsor
• James Burchett (R, HD-176)
• Clint Crowe (R, HD-118)
• Steven Sainz (R, HD-180)
• Tyler Smith (R, HD-018)
• David Jenkins (R, HD-136)
• Jason T. Dickerson (R, SD-021)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 3, 2026

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

   Passage: House Vote #598

• law enforcement
• criminal penalties
• motor vehicles
• obstruction of justice
• public safety