Zoning penalties amended into waste spill bill, advanced

Senators advanced a bill from select file Jan. 30 that would increase penalties for drivers who spill livestock excrement on highways in urban areas.

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

Lincoln Sen. Amanda McGill filed a motion to suspend the rules to permit the consideration of an amendment to the bill, which was approved on a 27-0 vote. The amendment would change the penalties for zoning ordinance violations in metropolitan class cities to a Class IV misdemeanor for a first or second violation and a Class II misdemeanor for third and subsequent violations, if they are committed within two years of the prior violation.

The penalties for zoning ordinance violations haven’t changed in 100 years, McGill said, and increasing the fines for violations should result in safer neighborhoods.

The bill was advanced to final reading by voice vote.