Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 82.djvu/168

 126

PUBLIC LAW 90-313-MAY 22, 1968

[82 STAT.

Public Law 90-313 May 22, 1968 [S.J. R e s. 129]

Motor vehicle accident compensation system. Study.

Reports to President and Congress.

JOINT RESOLUTION To authorize the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive study and investigation of the existing compensation system for motor vehicle accident losses, and for other purposes.

Whereas Congress finds that suffering and loss of life resulting from motor vehicle accidents and the consequent social and economic dislocations are critical national problems; and AVhereas there is growing evidence that the existing system of compensation for such loss and suffering is inequitable, inadequate, and insufficient and is unresponsive to existing social, economic, and technological conditions; and Whereas there is needed a fundamental reevaluation of such system, including a review of the role and effectiveness of insurance and the existing law governing liability; and Whereas meaningful analysis requires the collection and evaluation of data not presently available such as the actual economic impact of motor vehicle injuries, the relief available both from public and private sources, and the role and effectiveness of rehabilitation: Xow, therefore, be it Resolved by the deviate and Hoiine of Representatives of the United /States of America in Congress assembled. That (a) the Secretary of Transportation (hereinafter referred to as the "Secretary"), in cooperation with those other Federal agencies which possess relevant competencies, as provided in section 4, is authorized and directed to conduct a comprehensive study and investigation of all relevant aspects of the existing motor vehicle accident compensation system. Such study and investigation shall include consideration of the following— (1) the inadequacies of such existing compensation system in theory and practice; (2) the public policy objectives to be realized by such a system, including an analysis of the costs and benefits, both monetary and otherwise; (3) the most effective means for realizing such objectives; (4) the oftentimes arbitrary and capricious cancellation or refusal to renew automobile insurance policies or the refusal to issue such policies without stated cause; (5) the constant and costly increases in premiums for automobile insurance; (6) the disparity between the amounts paid as premiums and the amounts paid out for claims; (7) the frequent insolvencies of companies engaged in providing automobile insurance; (8) lon^ delays in processing and paying claims arising out of motor vehicle accidents; and (9) the efficiency and adequacy of present State insurance regulatory institutions. (b) The Secretary shall submit to the President and to the Congress interim reports from time to time and a final report not later than twenty-four months after the date of enactment of this joint resolution. Such final report shall contain a detailed statement of the findings, ccnclusions, and recommendations of the Secretary, and may propose such legislation or other action as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out his recommendations.

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