Water safety license plate passed

A new specialty license plate that seeks to educate the public about water safety was approved by the Legislature May 19.

LB166, sponsored by Lincoln Sen. Suzanne Geist, authorizes Josh the Otter-Be Safe Around Water license plates, available as of Jan. 1, 2022.

The fee for the alphanumeric plate is $5, credited to the Josh the Otter-Be Safe Around Water Cash Fund. Personalized plates will cost $40, with $10 credited to the state Department of Motor Vehicles Cash Fund and $30 credited to the Josh the Otter-Be Safe Around Water Cash Fund.

The bill requires the Game and Parks Commission to create a program to award grants from the cash fund to nonprofit organizations dedicated to educating children about water safety.

Senators passed LB166 on a 41-0 vote.