Legislature(2013 - 2014)BARNES 124
03/19/2013 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB146 | |
| HB123 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 146 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 123 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 146-PROOF OF MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE
1:03:46 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 146, "An Act relating to proof of motor
vehicle liability insurance; and providing for an effective
date."
1:04:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 146, labeled [28-LS0436\N, Strasbaugh,
3/11/13], as the working document. There being no objection,
Version N was before the committee.
1:05:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PETE HIGGINS, Alaska State Legislature, said
Alaska is often behind the power curve and HB 146 relates to the
proof of insurance. Sometimes a vehicle's insurance card is
expired, but with modern technology including applications
(APPS), it is easy for drivers to show proof of insurance. This
bill, HB 146, will allow motorists to provide proof of insurance
on a mobile electronic device, such as on a phone application or
electronic device such as an IPad. This bill would bring Alaska
into the 21st Century and has no fiscal note impact.
1:06:55 PM
THOMAS STUDLER, Staff, Representative Pete Higgins, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Higgins, sponsor of HB
146, stated that six states have already enacted this law and
another 20 other states are considering similar legislation. He
said the research done showed that two types of electronics
proof of insurance exist, including the American Liability
Insurance Registry (ALIR), which is performed via the insurance
companies and the department of motor vehicles at a cost to the
state of $4.7 million. Second, the driver could provide proof
of insurance by using an application (APP) process, which is
free to the state, he said.
1:08:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON related his own experience with an
outdated insurance card, but indicated the officer would not
take his phone into the police vehicle. He wanted to clarify
and ensure that officers would be able to take the driver's
phone to verify the insurance. In his own experience, he had
shown the officer his paper insurance card, which was expired,
as well as the online version of his proof of insurance, which
had an updated expiration date. He indicated the officer took
the expired card to the vehicle, after verifying the information
displayed on the phone [to ensure that it was the same policy.]
1:09:52 PM
RODNEY DIAL, Lieutenant, Alaska State Troopers, Department of
Public Safety (DPS), introduced himself.
1:10:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON related a scenario about his proof of
insurance and use of the phone to verify the vehicle insurance.
LT. DIAL understood that the question related to using a
telephone during a routine office stop. He said that the Alaska
State Troopers (AST) do not have any restrictions. He advised
that the AST officers typically are fairly creative when
verifying the information, but as a last resort would issue a
correctable citation. He explained that the officers will
sometimes call local insurance companies in the smaller
communities, such as Ketchikan, and the insurance agent will
advise if the driver has insurance. He pointed out that anyone
can get an insurance card that shows they have insurance for six
months or longer; however, the person could stop making payments
and simply retain the card, but the insurance coverage would be
terminated. He reiterated that the AST does not have any
restrictions and tries to verify insurance before writing a
citation.
1:12:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON expressed additional concern about the
Municipality of Anchorage and whether their officers would have
any issues with the online insurance verification. He said he
does not want to hold the bill up, but wants to ensure the bill
works.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS commented that it is possible the
Matanuska-Susitna valley might have similar issues. She pointed
out that these devices are not just phones but hold calendars
and other information. She acknowledged that the communities
are all grappling with how to handle these electronic
situations.
REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON related he was mayor of a small
community. He suggested that if the person voluntarily gives
the phone as evidence to the officer, it would not likely be an
issue. He further suggested that this bill would clarify and be
helpful to officers since it would indicate the mobile devices
could be used.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON said he supports the bill, but wanted to
be sure it works so the person can show their proof of
insurance.
1:15:53 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON referred to [page 2, lines 7-8], and read, "A
person may display the proof on a mobile electronic device."
She thought it was straight forward as a statewide permission.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON said he was unsure the ability to
displace is the same as the police officer being able to accept
it.
CHAIR P. WILSON asked whether Representative Johnson could check
with the Municipality of Anchorage.
1:17:35 PM
MR. STUDLER said the Department of Public Safety was fully in
support of the bill as a policy for the state and that it would
allow local municipalities to also use the policy. He explained
that people have to show evidence of proof of insurance upon
demand of a peace officer and under the bill the person may
display it on an electronic device. He further recalled
discussions with the Department of Administration (DOA),
specifically, with the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) who
suggested it would reduce confusion on what a peace officer
could accept as proof of insurance.
The committee took an at-ease from 1:18 p.m. to 1:37 p.m.
1:37:47 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON offered that Representatives Johnson and
Isaacson have briefly researched this matter.
REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON said he spoke to the Department of
Public Safety (DPS), who stated if the legislature places the
online proof of insurance provision in statute that the AST
would comply.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON said he was satisfied. He understood
that the police officers would only need to take proof of
insurance to their vehicles in instances in which an accident
occurs. He further understood that the officers could write the
number down if they do not feel comfortable taking the phone.
Thus he is comfortable with the bill.
1:39:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON moved to report the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 146, labeled [28-LS0436\N, Strasbaugh,
3/11/13] out of committee with individual recommendations and
the accompanying fiscal note. There being no objection, the
CSHB 146(TRA) was reported from the House Transportation
Standing Committee.
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