Would set up online system to verify Kansas vehicle insurance

The insurance commissioner would establish an online system for checking motor vehicle liability insurance, and insurers would connect their systems to answer verification requests. The system would cover motor vehicles insured in Kansas, except vehicles with commercial vehicle coverage; commercial insurers could join voluntarily. The system would protect data from unauthorized access and limit access to authorized government, court, law enforcement and other legally permitted users. The insurance department would pay for the system's setup, maintenance and improvements from its regulation service fund. The system would replace other electronic insurance verification requirements covered by this act. The system would have to be fully operational by July 1, 2026, after at least nine months of testing. No enforcement action could rely on its information until testing ends successfully.

Insurers would cooperate with the commissioner and the Kansas Department of Revenue and provide policy-status information required by agency rules. Licensed property and casualty insurers that issue or are authorized to issue Kansas motor vehicle liability insurance would verify coverage for vehicles insured in Kansas. Insurers could use third-party vendors to help provide verification. Insurers would receive reasonable downtime for maintenance and protection from enforcement fees or penalties during approved maintenance, emergencies, outside attacks and other reasonably uncontrollable outages. Insurers would not have to verify vehicles registered in other states. The commissioner could create a different verification method for insurers covering 1,000 or fewer vehicles in Kansas. These duties would apply as the online system is established and maintained, subject to the system's testing and operational deadlines.

Vehicle registration applicants would be allowed to prove required insurance online or electronically through the verification system, and law enforcement could not use that verification as the primary reason to stop a vehicle. The rules would apply to applications for vehicle registration or renewal and to law enforcement stops involving proof of required financial responsibility. Applicants could still use insurance cards, electronic images and other listed proof, including self-insurance and certain commercial or fleet documents. A person viewing insurance proof on a phone or other device could view only that proof and not other stored content. Online verification would apply under the act's system provisions; the restriction on using verification as the primary cause for a stop would apply when the system is used.