1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to proof of insurance filed with the Texas Department of 1-3 Public Safety by certain motorists uninsured at the time of an 1-4 accident. 1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-6 SECTION 1. Section 601.083, Transportation Code, is amended 1-7 by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: 1-8 (e) If a person files a certificate of insurance to 1-9 establish financial responsibility under Section 601.153, the 1-10 certificate must state that the requirements of Section 601.153(b) 1-11 are satisfied. 1-12 SECTION 2. Section 601.153, Transportation Code, is amended 1-13 to read as follows: 1-14 Sec. 601.153. DEPOSIT OF SECURITY; EVIDENCE OF FINANCIAL 1-15 RESPONSIBILITY. (a) The department may not suspend a driver's 1-16 license, vehicle registration, or nonresident's privilege under 1-17 this subchapter if the owner or operator: 1-18 (1) deposits with the department security in an amount 1-19 determined to be sufficient under Section 601.154 or 601.157 as 1-20 appropriate; and 1-21 (2) files evidence of financial responsibility as 1-22 required by this chapter. 1-23 (b) If the owner or operator chooses to establish financial 1-24 responsibility under Subsection (a)(2) by filing evidence of motor 2-1 vehicle liability insurance, the owner or operator must file a 2-2 certificate of insurance for a policy that has a policy period of 2-3 at least six months and for which the premium for the entire policy 2-4 period is paid in full. 2-5 (c) Notwithstanding Section 601.085, coverage for a motor 2-6 vehicle under a motor vehicle liability policy for which a person 2-7 files with the department a certificate of insurance under 2-8 Subsection (b) may not be canceled unless: 2-9 (1) the person no longer owns the motor vehicle; 2-10 (2) the person dies; 2-11 (3) the person has a permanent incapacity that renders 2-12 the person unable to drive the motor vehicle; or 2-13 (4) the person surrenders to the department the 2-14 person's driver's license and the vehicle registration for the 2-15 motor vehicle. 2-16 SECTION 3. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 1997. 2-17 (b) This Act applies only to a certificate of motor vehicle 2-18 liability insurance filed with the Texas Department of Public 2-19 Safety on or after January 1, 1998. A certificate of motor vehicle 2-20 liability insurance filed with the Texas Department of Public 2-21 Safety before January 1, 1998, is governed by the law as it existed 2-22 immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is 2-23 continued in effect for that purpose. 2-24 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the 2-25 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-26 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-27 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 3-1 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 627 was passed by the House on April 18, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 627 was passed by the Senate on May 10, 1997, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor