Senators advance bill to deter livestock waste spills

Drivers who spill livestock excrement on highways in urban areas would face stiffer penalties under legislation advanced by senators Jan. 14.

LB174, introduced by Omaha Sen. Heath Mello, would amend the Nebraska Rules of the Road by increasing the minimum fine to $250 for any driver who spills manure or urine from a vehicle on any highway located within the corporate limits of a city of the metropolitan class. The violation is a Class IV misdemeanor and currently carries a minimum $100 fine.

Manure spilling from livestock trailers leaving south Omaha’s stockyards “has plagued my part of the state for generations,” Mello said. “These spills are not only a potential public health hazard, but also have a tendency to cause numerous traffic accidents.”

State statute regarding load spillage needs to be amended, Mello said, because most of the manure spills that occur near Omaha’s meat-packing plants happen on state highways. Although Omaha also has city ordinances regarding load spillage, he said, the Nebraska State Patrol is the primary law enforcement agency currently issuing tickets.

Additionally, Mello said, it is the state’s responsibility to clean up the waste spills.

“We need to be cognizant of the fiscal impact every time a spill is cleaned up,” he said.

Mello said the “fairly modest” fine increase is a result of collaboration among his office and the Nebraska Trucking Association, the Nebraska Cattlemen and the South Omaha Environmental Task Force.

Hoskins Sen. Dave Bloomfield opposed LB174, saying the increased fine could damage Omaha’s meat-packing industry.

“To risk jobs in Omaha to raise a fine is not a good idea,” he said.

O’Neill Sen. Tyson Larson agreed, saying a livestock hauler may make only $250 on a load.

If the packing industry was at risk, their representatives would have testified at the committee hearing, Mello said.

“Any illusion this would impact the packing industry is a farce,” he said.

Following more than four hours of debate spanning Jan. 13 and 14, lawmakers advanced LB174 to select file on a 37-4 vote.