The operation of such vehicles, motorized machinery and equipment by the departments described in Section 158.1 of this title is hereby declared to be a public governmental function. An action for damages may be brought against such departments, but the governmental immunity of such departments shall be waived only to the extent of the amount of insurance purchased. The departments shall be liable for negligence only while such insurance is in force, but in no case in an amount exceeding the limits of the coverage of any such insurance policy. No attempt shall be made in the trial of any action brought against any such departments to suggest the existence of any insurance which covers in whole or in part any judgment or award which may be rendered in favor of the plaintiff, and if the verdict rendered by the jury exceeds the limits of the applicable insurance, the court shall reduce the amount of said judgment or award to a sum equal to the applicable limits stated in the policy. The insurer may not plead as a defense in any action involving insurance purchases by the authority of this Act the governmental immunity of either the State of Oklahoma, the State Department of Health, Department of Public Safety, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, or the Oklahoma State Penitentiary.

Added by Laws 1963, HB 576, c. 293, § 2, emerg. eff. June 18, 1963; Amended by Laws 1990, SB 866, c. 51, § 114, emerg. eff. April 9, 1990.