Statehood celebration license plates advanced

Lawmakers gave first-round approval Feb. 2 to a bill that would authorize specialty license plates in celebration of Nebraska’s 150th anniversary of statehood in 2017.

Under LB220, introduced by Papillion Sen. Jim Smith, the Nebraska 150 Sesquicentennial Plate would be available as an alphanumeric or a personalized message plate. The alphanumeric version of the plate would display up to seven characters and would not display county designators.

The plates would be available from Oct. 1, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2022. An initial application and renewal fee of $70 would apply. Fifty-seven percent of the fee would be credited to the Nebraska 150 Sesquicentennial License Plate Fund, also created by the bill.

Smith said specialty license plates in Iowa, Minnesota, West Virginia and Nevada have been used to help fund similar statehood celebrations.

“[LB220] will provide an important fundraising mechanism—as well as draw attention to Nebraska history—as people travel throughout the state and across the nation,” Smith said.

The bill advanced to select file in a 33-0 vote.