House Bill 179 Summary

• Department of Motor Vehicles shall establish and maintain a 24-hour online insurance verification system accessible to law enforcement, courts, and insurance regulators to verify motor vehicle liability insurance coverage using vehicle identification number, policy number, NAIC code, or owner's name.

• Insurance carriers must cooperate with the department and provide access to policy status information as a condition for writing motor vehicle liability policies in Idaho, with immunity from civil or administrative liability for good faith compliance efforts.

• Department shall establish a matching program requiring insurers to report data monthly and conduct periodic matches with vehicle registrations; owners with failed compliance for two consecutive months receive 30-day notice before registration suspension and must pay $75.00 reinstatement fee.

• Peace officers shall access the verification system to confirm current insurance validity before issuing citations under Idaho Code section 49-1232; courts must dismiss citations without penalty if insurance coverage was actually in force at the time of issuance.

• Law becomes effective January 1, 2020; exemptions apply to commercial motor vehicle coverage, implements of husbandry, and golf carts.