FIRST REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 838
91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MURPHY.
Read 1st time February 20, 2001, and 1000 copies ordered printed.
TED WEDEL, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To repeal sections 301.020, 301.140 and 303.026, RSMo 2000, relating to motor vehicle registration, and to enact in lieu thereof three new sections relating to the same subject.
Section A. Sections 301.020, 301.140 and 303.026, RSMo 2000, are repealed and three new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 301.020, 301.140 and 303.026, to read as follows:
301.020. 1. Every owner of a motor vehicle or trailer, which shall be operated or driven upon the highways of this state, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, shall annually file, by mail or otherwise, in the office of the director of revenue, an application for registration on a blank to be furnished by the director of revenue for that purpose containing:
(1) A brief description of the motor vehicle or trailer to be registered, including the name of the manufacturer, the vehicle identification number, the amount of motive power of the motor vehicle, stated in figures of horsepower and whether the motor vehicle is to be registered as a motor vehicle primarily for business use as defined in section 301.010;
(2) The name, the applicant's identification number and address of the owner of such motor vehicle or trailer;
(3) The gross weight of the vehicle and the desired load in pounds if the vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle or trailer; and
(4) Proof of financial responsibility on the vehicle as required by section 303.160, RSMo.
2. If the vehicle is a motor vehicle primarily for business use as defined in section 301.010 and if such vehicle is five years of age or less, the director of revenue shall retain the odometer information provided in the vehicle inspection report, and provide for prompt access to such information, together with the vehicle identification number for the motor vehicle to which such information pertains, for a period of five years after the receipt of such information. This section shall not apply unless:
(1) The application for the vehicle's certificate of ownership was submitted after July 1, 1989; and
(2) The certificate was issued pursuant to a manufacturer's statement of origin.
3. If the vehicle is any motor vehicle other than a motor vehicle primarily for business use, a recreational motor vehicle, motorcycle, motortricycle, bus or any commercial motor vehicle licensed for over twelve thousand pounds and if such motor vehicle is five years of age or less, the director of revenue shall retain the odometer information provided in the vehicle inspection report, and provide for prompt access to such information, together with the vehicle identification number for the motor vehicle to which such information pertains, for a period of five years after the receipt of such information. This subsection shall not apply unless:
(1) The application for the vehicle's certificate of ownership was submitted after July 1, 1990; and
(2) The certificate was issued pursuant to a manufacturer's statement of origin.
4. If the vehicle qualifies as a reconstructed motor vehicle, motor change vehicle, specially constructed motor vehicle, non-USA-std motor vehicle, as defined in section 301.010, the owner or lienholder shall surrender the certificate of ownership. The owner shall make an application for a new certificate of ownership, pay the required title fee, and obtain the vehicle examination certificate required pursuant to section 301.190. Notarized bills of sale along with a copy of the front and back of the certificate of ownership for all major component parts installed on the vehicle and invoices for all essential parts which are not defined as major component parts shall accompany the application for a new certificate of ownership. If the vehicle is a specially constructed motor vehicle, as defined in section 301.010, two pictures of the vehicle shall be submitted with the application. If the vehicle is a kit vehicle, the applicant shall submit the invoice and the manufacturer's statement of origin on the kit. If the vehicle requires the issuance of a special number by the director of revenue or a replacement vehicle identification number, the applicant shall submit the required application and application fee. All applications required under this subsection shall be submitted with any applicable taxes which may be due on the purchase of the vehicle or parts. The director of revenue shall appropriately designate "Reconstructed Motor Vehicle", "Motor Change Vehicle", "Non-USA-Std Motor Vehicle", or "Specially Constructed Motor Vehicle" on the current and all subsequent issues of the certificate of ownership of such vehicle.
5. Every insurance company which pays a claim for repair of a motor vehicle which as the result of such repairs becomes a reconstructed motor vehicle as defined in section 301.010 shall in writing notify the claimant, if [he] said claimant is the owner of the vehicle, and the lienholder if a lien is in effect, that [he] said claimant is required to surrender the certificate of ownership, and the documents and fees required pursuant to subsection 3 of this section, to the director of revenue. The insurance company shall within thirty days of the payment of such claims report to the director of revenue the name and address of such claimant, the year, make, model, vehicle identification number, and license plate number of the vehicle, and the date of loss and payment.
6. Anyone who fails to comply with the requirements of this section shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
7. An applicant for registration may make a donation of one dollar to promote a blindness education, screening and treatment program. The director of revenue shall collect the donations and deposit all such donations in the state treasury to the credit of the blindness education, screening and treatment program fund established in section 192.935, RSMo. Moneys in the blindness education, screening and treatment program fund shall be used solely for the purposes established in section 192.935, RSMo, except that the department of revenue shall retain no more than one percent for its administrative costs. The donation prescribed in this subsection is voluntary and may be refused by the applicant for registration at the time of issuance or renewal. The director shall inquire of each applicant at the time the applicant presents the completed application to the director whether the applicant is interested in making the one-dollar donation prescribed in this subsection.
301.140. 1. Upon the transfer of ownership of any motor vehicle or trailer, the certificate of registration and the right to use the number plates shall expire and the number plates shall be removed by the owner at the time of the transfer of possession, and it shall be unlawful for any person other than the person to whom such number plates were originally issued to have the same in his or her possession whether in use or not; except that the buyer of a motor vehicle or trailer who trades in a motor vehicle or trailer may attach the license plates from the traded-in motor vehicle or trailer to the newly purchased motor vehicle or trailer. The operation of a motor vehicle with such transferred plates shall be lawful for no more than thirty days. As used in this subsection, the term "trade-in motor vehicle or trailer" shall include any single motor vehicle or trailer sold by the buyer of the newly purchased vehicle or trailer, as long as the license plates for the trade-in motor vehicle or trailer are still valid.
2. In the case of a transfer of ownership the original owner may register another motor vehicle under the same number, upon the payment of a fee of two dollars, if the motor vehicle is of horsepower, gross weight or (in the case of a passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle) seating capacity, not in excess of that originally registered. When such motor vehicle is of greater horsepower, gross weight or (in the case of a passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle) seating capacity, for which a greater fee is prescribed, applicant shall pay a transfer fee of two dollars and a pro rata portion for the difference in fees. When such vehicle is of less horsepower, gross weight or (in case of a passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle) seating capacity, for which a lesser fee is prescribed, applicant shall not be entitled to a refund.
3. License plates may be transferred from a motor vehicle which will no longer be operated to a newly purchased motor vehicle by the owner of such vehicles. The owner shall pay a transfer fee of two dollars if the newly purchased vehicle is of horsepower, gross weight or (in the case of a passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle) seating capacity, not in excess of that of the vehicle which will no longer be operated. When the newly purchased motor vehicle is of greater horsepower, gross weight or (in the case of a passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle) seating capacity, for which a greater fee is prescribed, the applicant shall pay a transfer fee of two dollars and a pro rata portion of the difference in fees. When the newly purchased vehicle is of less horsepower, gross weight or (in the case of a passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle) seating capacity, for which a lesser fee is prescribed, the applicant shall not be entitled to a refund.
4. Upon the sale of a motor vehicle or trailer by a dealer, a buyer who has made application for registration, by mail or otherwise, may operate the same for a period of thirty days after taking possession thereof, if during such period the motor vehicle or trailer shall have attached thereto, in the manner required by section 301.130, number plates issued to the dealer, provided the buyer has documented, and the dealer has recorded, proof of financial responsibility as provided by section 303.160, RSMo. Upon application and presentation of satisfactory evidence that the buyer has applied for registration, a dealer may furnish such number plates to the buyer for such temporary use. In such event, the dealer shall require the buyer to deposit the sum of ten dollars and fifty cents to be returned to the buyer upon return of the number plates as a guarantee that said buyer will return to the dealer such number plates within thirty days. The director shall issue a temporary permit or paper plate authorizing the operation of a motor vehicle or trailer by a buyer for not more than thirty days of the date of purchase.
5. The temporary permit or paper plate shall be made available by the director of revenue and may be purchased from the department of revenue upon proof of purchase of a motor vehicle or trailer for which the buyer has no registration plate available for transfer, or from a dealer upon purchase of a motor vehicle or trailer for which the buyer has no registration plate available for transfer. The director shall make temporary plates or permits available to registered dealers in this state in sets of ten plates or permits. The fee for the temporary permit or plate shall be seven dollars and fifty cents for each permit or plate issued. No dealer shall charge more than seven dollars and fifty cents for each permit issued. The permit or plate shall be valid for a period of thirty days from the date of purchase of a motor vehicle or trailer, or from the date of sale of the motor vehicle or trailer by a dealer for which the purchaser obtains a permit or plate as set out above.
6. The permit or plate shall be issued on a form prescribed by the director and issued only for the applicant's use in the operation of the motor vehicle or trailer purchased to enable the applicant to legally operate the vehicle while proper title and registration plate are being obtained, but shall not be issued by the dealer unless the buyer has provided and the dealer has recorded proof of financial responsibility as required by this section and shall be displayed on no other vehicle. Permits or paper plates issued pursuant to this section shall not be transferable or renewable and shall not be valid upon issuance of proper registration plates for the motor vehicle or trailer. The director shall determine the size and numbering configuration, construction, and color of the permit and plate.
7. The dealer or authorized agent shall insert the date of issuance and expiration date, year, make, and manufacturer's number of vehicle on the paper plate or permit when issued to the buyer. The dealer shall also insert such dealer's number on the paper plate. Every dealer that issues a temporary permit or paper plate shall keep, for inspection of proper officers, a correct record of each permit or plate issued by recording the permit or plate number, buyer's name and address, year, make, manufacturer's number of vehicle on which the permit or plate is to be used, and the date of issuance. In addition, every dealer that issues a temporary permit or paper plate shall make and keep, for inspection of proper officers, a correct record of proof of the buyer's financial responsibility, pursuant to section 303.160, RSMo, for the motor vehicle for which the dealer issues such temporary permit or paper plate.
8. Upon the transfer of ownership of any currently registered motor vehicle wherein the owner cannot transfer the license plates due to a change of vehicle category, the owner may surrender the license plates issued to the motor vehicle and receive credit for any unused portion of the original registration fee against the registration fee of another motor vehicle. Such credit shall be granted based upon the date the license plates are surrendered. No refunds shall be made on the unused portion of any license plates surrendered for such credit.
303.026. 1. The director shall inform each owner who registers a motor vehicle of the following:
(1) The existence of the requirement that every motor vehicle owner in the state must maintain [his] financial responsibility;
(2) The requirement that every motor vehicle owner show an insurance identification card, or a copy thereof, or other proof of financial responsibility at the time of vehicle registration; this notice shall be given at least thirty days prior to the month for renewal and shall be shown in bold, colored print;
(3) The penalties which apply to violations of the requirement to maintain financial responsibility;
(4) The benefits of maintaining coverages in excess of those which are required;
(5) The director's authority to conduct samples of Missouri motor vehicle owners to ensure compliance.
2. No motor vehicle owner shall be issued registration for a vehicle, nor shall any license plate, temporary permit or paper plate be issued, unless the owner, or [his] the owner's authorized agent, signs an affidavit provided by the director of revenue at the time of registration of the vehicle certifying that such owner has at the time of registration and will maintain, during the period of registration, financial responsibility with respect to each motor vehicle that is owned, licensed or operated on the streets or highways. The affidavit need not be notarized, but it shall be acknowledged by the person processing the form. The affidavit shall state clearly and in bold print the following: "Any false affidavit is a crime under section 575.050 of Missouri law.". In addition, every motor vehicle owner shall show proof of such financial responsibility by presenting his or her insurance identification card, as described in section 303.024, or a copy thereof, or some other proof of financial responsibility in the form prescribed by the director of revenue at the time of registration unless such owner registers [his] the vehicle in conjunction with a reciprocity agreement entered into by the Missouri highway reciprocity commission pursuant to sections 301.271 to 301.279, RSMo, or unless the owner insures the vehicle according to the requirements of the division of motor carrier and railroad safety pursuant to section 390.126, RSMo.
3. To ensure compliance with this chapter, the director may utilize a variety of sampling techniques including but not limited to random samples of registrations subject to this section, uniform traffic tickets, insurance information provided to the director at the time of motor vehicle registration, and persons who during the preceding year have received a disposition of court-ordered supervision or suspension. The director may verify the financial responsibility of any person sampled or reported.
(1) Beginning January 1, 2001, the director may require such information, as in his or her discretion is necessary to enforce the requirements of subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of this section, to be submitted from the person's insurer or insurance company. When requested by the director of revenue, all licensed insurance companies in this state which sell private passenger (noncommercial) motor vehicle insurance policies shall report information regarding the issuance, nonrenewal and cancellation of such policies to the director, excluding policies issued to owners of fleet or rental vehicles or issued on vehicles that are insured pursuant to a commercial line policy. Such information shall be reported electronically in a format as prescribed by the director of the department of revenue by rule except that such rule shall provide for an exemption from electronic reporting for insurers with a statistically insignificant number of policies in force.
(2) The director may require the data described in subsection 2 of section 303.412 to be reported by insurance companies and require reporting periods of at least once per month. When required by the director of revenue, each insurance company shall provide to the department a record of each policy issued, canceled, terminated or revoked during the period since the previous report. Nothing in this section shall prohibit insurance companies from reporting more frequently than once per month.
(3) The director may use reports described in subdivision (1) of this subsection for sampling purposes as provided in this section.
4. Information provided to the department by an insurance company for use in accordance with this section is the property of the insurer and is not subject to disclosure pursuant to chapter 610, RSMo. Such information may be utilized by the department for enforcement of this chapter but may not be disclosed except that the department shall disclose whether an individual is maintaining the required insurance coverage upon request of the following individuals and agencies only:
(1) The individual;
(2) The parent or legal guardian of an individual if the individual is an unemancipated minor;
(3) The legal guardian of the individual if the individual is legally incapacitated;
(4) Any person who has power of attorney from the individual;
(5) Any person who submits a notarized release from the individual that is dated no more than ninety days before the request is made;
(6) Any person claiming loss or injury in a motor vehicle accident in which the individual is involved;
(7) The office of the state auditor, for the purpose of conducting any audit authorized by law.
5. The director, after consultation with the working group as provided for in section 303.406, may adopt any rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of subdivisions (1) through (3) of subsection 3 of this section. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, RSMo, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536, RSMo, and, if applicable, section 536.028, RSMo. This section and chapter 536, RSMo, are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536, RSMo, to review, to delay the effective date or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2000, shall be invalid and void.
6. Any person or agency who knowingly discloses information received from insurance companies pursuant to this section for any purpose, or to a person, other than those authorized in this section is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. No insurer shall be liable to any person for performing its duties pursuant to this section unless and to the extent the insurer commits a willful and wanton act of omission.
7. The department of revenue shall notify the department of insurance of any insurer who violates any provisions of this section. The department of insurance may, against any insurer who knowingly fails to comply with this section, assess an administrative penalty up to five hundred dollars per day of noncompliance. The department of insurance may excuse the administrative penalty if an assessed insurer provides acceptable proof that such insurer's noncompliance was inadvertent, accidental or the result of excusable neglect. The penalty provisions of this section shall become effective six months after the rule issued pursuant to subsections 3 and 5 of this section is published in the code of state regulations.
8. To verify that financial responsibility is being maintained, the director shall notify the owner or operator of the need to
provide, within fifteen days, proof of the existence of the required financial responsibility. The request shall require the
owner or the operator to state whether or not the motor vehicle was insured on the verification date stated in the director's
request. The request may include but not be limited to a statement of the names and addresses of insurers, policy numbers
and expiration date of insurance coverage. Failure to provide such information shall result in the suspension of the
registration of the owner's motor vehicle, and where applicable, the owner's or the operator's driving privilege, for failing to
meet such requirements, as is provided in this chapter.
Missouri House of Representatives