Transportation bill amended to include Native American license plates

Lawmakers amended and advanced a bill from select file April 11 that would enable car dealers to electronically provide titling and registration services.

LB263, as originally introduced by the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, would require the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to create an electronic dealer services system. The system would allow dealers to provide titling and registration services following the sale of a vehicle, in addition to collecting title and registration fees, sales taxes and motor vehicle taxes.

The bill was amended on general file to include provisions of eight transportation-related bills.

Lincoln Sen. Kate Bolz brought an amendment on select file, adopted 28-0, that would authorize the DMV to create “Native American Cultural Awareness and History” license plates. All proceeds from the plate’s $5 fee would be directed to a newly created Native American scholarship fund.

Bolz said the idea for the plate design was brought to her by a constituent who wanted to honor and support the state’s indigenous populations, including members of the Omaha, Santee Sioux, Winnebago and Ponca tribes.

Senators adopted a technical amendment and advanced the bill to final reading on a voice vote.