Mississippi Senate Passes Car Tag Bill

Posted & filed under Mississippi Car Insurance.

The state Senate of Mississippi passed a bill this week that will require drivers in that state to provide proof of liability insurance before they can receive a car registration tag.

The measure was sponsored by Senator Billy Hewes (R – Gulfport) who said constituents in his district have complained about being involved in crashes with uninsured motorists.

Drivers who present false proof of insurance would be given a fine of $500 and could face up to a year’s imprisonment, though both the fine and the jail time would be waived if proof of valid liability insurance is provided by the specified court date. Policy terms must be at least six months.

According to Senator Hewes, the bill (SB 2053) won’t create any extra paperwork for tax collectors, as they must only ask to see an individual’s proof of insurance before approving a car tag.

Senator Cindy Hyde Smith (R – Brookhaven) voted against the bill. She said that officials in her district were concerned that the extra responsibility might slow down the process in tax collectors’ offices.

The bill will now move to the House, which has killed similar legislation in the past.