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Senate panel backs pilot to require proof‑of‑insurance at initial vehicle registration and ramps up penalties
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Summary
The committee adopted an amendment and recommended Senate Bill 16‑67, which would require proof of financial responsibility for initial vehicle registration in a pilot, increase insurer reporting frequency and fines for unconfirmed insurance, and impose repeat‑offender penalties; members also debated caps on noneconomic damages for uninsured drivers.
Senate Bill 16‑67, sponsored by Senator Powers, was amended by the committee and recommended for passage after extended discussion about enforcement, data reporting and the consequences for uninsured drivers.
Powers said the bill targets uninsured drivers who impose costs on insured motorists and that current penalties are too low. Legislative director Autumn Cole of the Department of Revenue explained operational details: as amended the bill requires proof of financial responsibility at initial registration (pilot), increases insurer reporting frequency (from monthly toward weekly/near‑real‑time), and expands the department's repeat‑offender fines and enforcement tools.
Committee members asked practical questions: what happens if someone cannot pay or cannot produce proof, how out‑of‑state insurers are handled (out‑of‑state insurers remain exempt from reporting and commercial policies are exempt), and whether capping noneconomic damages for uninsured drivers unfairly limits injured parties. Members urged careful consideration of caps on damages; the sponsor framed the provisions as incentives to maintain insurance rather than a penalty on accident victims.
After testimony and debate the committee adopted the amendment and recommended SB 16‑67 as amended for passage to the calendar.
