HB 1703 -- MOTOR VEHICLE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

SPONSOR:  Ward

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Civil and
Administrative Law by a vote of 15 to 0.

Currently, no owner of a motor vehicle registered or required to
be registered in Missouri can operate, register, maintain
registration, or allow another person to operate the vehicle
unless financial responsibility is maintained.  This bill
removes the reference to maintaining registration of a vehicle.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that legislation passed last year
requires automobile owners to maintain liability insurance for
the entire time a car is registered.  Many people own vehicles
that they drive only a few months of the year, such as a vintage
car or a convertible that is driven only in the summer.  For
such vehicles, liability insurance isn't really necessary year
round. The owner would need to have liability coverage only for
the period when the vehicle is operated.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Ward; and Missouri
Insurance Coalition.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Richard Smreker, Legislative Analyst

HB 1703 -- Financial Responsibility

Sponsor:  Ward

Currently, no owner of a motor vehicle registered or required to
be registered in Missouri can operate, register, maintain
registration, or allow another person to operate the vehicle
unless financial responsibility is maintained.  This bill
removes the reference to maintaining registration of a vehicle.