ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A state senator who is running to become Georgia’s first Democrat elected lieutenant governor in almost 30 years is touting bipartisan support for his bill to ban the practice of booting.

On Friday, state Sen. Josh McLaurin (D-Sandy Springs) announced he is introducing Senate Bill 541 that would “prohibit the placement of wheel restraints on trespassing motor vehicles.”

The bill has not yet been assigned to committee.

Car booting is a legal enforcement action where a vehicle is immobilized by attaching a locking device, called a “boot,” to one of its wheels, preventing it from being driven.

A new Georgia law went into effect in 2026 designed to change how booting companies operate in the state. The law is enforced by the Georgia Department of Public Safety and includes several major restrictions.

Under the new rules, booting companies face strict caps on fees:

• They can charge no more than $75 for passenger vehicles and $125 for commercial vehicles.
• Cash-only booting is no longer allowed.
• All booting companies must now be licensed by the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

McLaurin is currently the only Democrat running to succeed Republican Burt Jones, who is running for Georgia governor this year. Several Republicans are also running, but none has gained any traction, according to a Quantus Insights poll released Thursday.

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