The state highways and transportation commission is authorized, when considered by it to be in the public interest, to provide as part compensation to the employee involved, liability insurance covering the operation of state-owned vehicles involved in the performance of operations of the commission. The commission is authorized to provide such insurance coverage for its employees and the commission's liability by a plan of self-insurance or by a plan partially self-insured and partially insured by a contract of insurance with an insurance company as the commission deems to be in the public interest. If the commission provides for a plan of self-insurance or partial self-insurance, it shall annually determine the amount of contribution to the plan required to pay all accrued and anticipated claims and the cost of administering the plan and shall include such amount in its budget request for contribution to the highways and transportation commission automobile liability insurance plan. The commission may contract for the services of such actuaries, consultants, and claims administrators as it deems necessary for the effective administration of a self-insured automobile liability plan and is authorized to contract for excess insurance coverage with an insurance company authorized to write such coverage in this state. The immunity in tort actions of the state and the state highways and transportation commission shall not be in any way affected by this section.

(L. 1971 H.B. 60 § 1, A.L. 1986 S.B. 524)

Effective 6-3-86

(1977) Statutes which contain disclaimer provisions that they shall not be construed as a waiver of sovereign immunity show desirability of providing relief rather than legislative expression favoring retention of sovereign immunity. Jones v. State Highway Commission (Mo.), 577 S.W.2d 225.