Waste spill penalty increase approved

Senators gave final approval Feb. 7 to a bill that increases penalties for drivers who spill livestock excrement on highways in urban areas.

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

The bill also changes 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 committed within two years of a prior violation.

The bill passed on a vote of 40-2