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S 625 105th Congress Senate

Auto Choice Reform Act of 1997

Official title: A bill to provide for competition between forms of motor vehicle insurance, to permit an owner of a motor vehicle to choose the most appropriate form of insura… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to provide for competition between forms of motor vehicle insurance, to permit an owner of a motor vehicle to choose the most appropriate form of insurance for that person, to guarantee affordable premiums, to provide for more adequate and timely compensation for accident victims, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 22, 1997 Introduced by: McConnell, Mitch Republican · Kentucky See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works Automobile insuranceChoice of lawCommerceConsumer education
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Consumer protectionDamagesDrug abuseDrunk drivingFederal preemptionFinance and Financial SectorGovernment Operations and PoliticsInsurance agentsInsurance companiesInsurance premiumsInsurance ratesLawLiability (Law)Liability insuranceLimitation of actionsNegligenceNo-fault automobile insuranceState lawsTortsTraffic accidents and safetyUninsured motorists
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 9, 1998
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-1021.
Jul 17, 1997
Committee on Commerce. Hearings held.
Apr 22, 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Apr 22, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3428-3430)
Apr 22, 1997
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action September 9, 1998

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-1021.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Auto Choice Reform Act of 1997 - Affords a person the right to choose between: (1) a personal protection system (personal system) providing insurance for that person and any resident relative or dependent; and (2) a tort maintenance system (tort system) providing for the form of motor vehicle insurance otherwise required in the State in which the person is insured.

Sets forth personal system minimum requirements, including regarding waiver of certain tort rights. Supersedes State laws inconsistent with this Act.

Sets forth tort system minimum requirements, allowing State laws (not inconsistent with this Act) regarding uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

Provides for: (1) the effect of a person's choice on resident relatives and dependents; (2) underwriting rules to encourage choice uniformity within a household; and (3) the failure of a person to choose.

Requires States to maintain a program to inform consumers (comparing the two systems) about costs, benefits, rights, and obligations.

(Sec. 6) Requires that a person who chooses: (1) a tort system and is involved in an accident be subject to tort law for injury except that, based on fault, the person may claim against (and be claimed against by) a personal system person only for uncompensated economic loss; and (2) a personal system be compensated only for economic loss, without regard to fault. Provides for the handling of accidents involving: (1) persons with personal protection and unlawfully uninsured persons; and (2) motorists under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs or engaging in intentional misconduct.

(Sec. 8) Declares that this Act does not apply to a State if: (1) the State so elects; or (2) the State finds that average premiums will not be reduced by at least 30 percent for persons choosing the personal system.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 625: Auto Choice Reform Act of 1997. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-625/
MLA
"S. 625: Auto Choice Reform Act of 1997." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-625/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 625, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-625/.
Markdown link
[S. 625: Auto Choice Reform Act of 1997](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-625/)
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