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House approves amendment letting courts waive part of uninsured-driver fines if insurance later bought
Summary
The House adopted an amendment to HB 22 allowing courts to waive up to $300 of a fine if a driver later provides proof they bought auto insurance; amendment and bill passed by the House (amendment by voice, bill 70–0).
The Utah House on Jan. 16 approved Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 22 — Traffic Code Revisions — giving judges an additional option when sentencing repeat uninsured drivers.
Representative Dunnigan, who explained the amendment, described a case in which a driver repeatedly lacked auto insurance, paid a fine and then could not afford to buy insurance. The amendment allows a court to waive up to $300 of the fine if the defendant provides proof that they have acquired auto insurance; any remaining fines would still apply.
“It would allow the court to waive up to $300 of the fine if the person provides proof that they have acquired auto insurance,” Dunnigan said, explaining the change is intended to encourage defendants to obtain and maintain coverage.
Amendment No. 2 passed by voice vote. The bill as amended passed the House with a recorded tally of 70 yes, 0 no and will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
Next steps: HB 22 will be considered by the Senate; the House record did not specify further implementation steps or an effective date on the floor.
