Bill > SB0648

This bill, known as the "James Lee Atwood Jr. Law," establishes an electronic insurance verification program to ensure that motor vehicle owners meet financial responsibility requirements, primarily through motor vehicle liability insurance. The program will be developed and managed by the Department of Revenue, contracting with a designated agent, and will utilize standards set by the Insurance Industry Committee on Motor Vehicle Administration (IICMVA). Auto liability insurers, which are companies licensed to provide vehicle insurance, will be required to participate by providing data for online verification or submitting a "full book of business" – a complete record of their policies – if they opt out of the IICMVA model. Law enforcement will use this program to verify insurance status, and information collected will be confidential, not accessible to the public. The bill also outlines penalties for failing to provide proof of insurance, including registration revocation and a reinstatement fee, and clarifies that commercial auto coverage is exempt from mandatory participation, though insurers can voluntarily join. The program is mandated to be operational by January 1, 2017, following a twelve-month implementation period.