gave preliminary approval to a bill Monday that would leave the controversial personal injury protection auto insurance, or PIP, in place until 2009. The bill also calls for more resources to help crack down on the fraud that insurance companies claim plagues the system.

has its own PIP reform bill, but some critics fear its fraud measures give insurance companies too much power over doctors and those trying to claim PIP benefits.

one of the few states where drivers are required to carry $10,000 in such no-fault injury insurance. If the two chambers fail to reach an agreement, PIP would expire in 2007.

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