Proof of motor vehicle insurance; require before motor vehicle owner may renew registration.
Impact
The bill reinstates and amends a previously repealed section of the Code that required all motor vehicle owners to hold liability insurance coverage before their registration could be renewed. It places emphasis on maintaining continuous insurance coverage throughout the registration period. This amendment is expected to ensure that all registered motor vehicles in Mississippi are adequately insured, thereby contributing to increased road safety and reducing the financial liability on the public system arising from uninsured drivers.
Summary
House Bill 1407 aims to amend certain sections of the Mississippi Code related to motor vehicle insurance compliance. A significant feature of this bill is the authorization for tax assessors to access the electronic motor vehicle insurance verification system. This access seeks to enhance the efficiency and reliability of verifying compliance with mandatory motor vehicle liability insurance coverage for registration renewal. By integrating various officials and departments into this verification process, the bill seeks to streamline the oversight of insurance compliance in the state.
Contention
Another pivotal aspect of HB1407 is the prohibition against local governments from using automated recording equipment to enforce insurance compliance. This provision could limit the ability of municipalities to independently establish traffic enforcement systems related to insurance, which may lead to contention regarding local authority and the effectiveness of insurance compliance enforcement. Critics may argue that this undermines local governance and diminishes potential avenues to address uninsured driving within specific communities.