DMV cleanup bill, single license plate requirement advanced

Lawmakers gave first-round approval March 13 to a state Department of Motor Vehicles cleanup measure after amending it to include a proposal requiring the department to issue one license plate to each registered motor vehicle rather than two.

Omaha Sen. John Fredrickson, sponsor of LB97, said it includes several technical updates requested by the department to improve processes and align Nebraska with federal regulations.

Among other changes, the bill would exempt fertilizer trailers from current titling requirements, prohibit modification of license plates, define or redefine amphibious vehicles, junk vehicles and minibikes and add telephone numbers and email addresses to the list of sensitive personal information under the Uniform Motor Vehicle Records Disclosure Act.

The proposal also would exempt a driver holding a commercial driver’s license from a deferred judgment if it would mask the conviction and lead to noncompliance with federal law or regulation.

A Transportation and Telecommunications Committee amendment, adopted 37-0, included provisions of two other bills heard by the committee this session.

The provisions of LB225, sponsored by Sen. Dunixi Guereca of Omaha, would eliminate a current requirement that individuals notarize applications for duplicate certificates of title.

Under the provisions of LB543, introduced by Norfolk Sen. Robert Dover, the department could deliver license plates or registration certificates to the applicant or applicable county treasurer by U.S. mail or an alternative shipping service beginning with the next license plate issuance cycle in 2029.

The department could charge a postage and handling fee to cover the cost of the specific items mailed. Drivers who present proof of registration would be permitted to operate the motor vehicle for 30 days without a mailed license plate displayed.

Under the amendment, all license plate fees would be remitted to the state treasurer for credit to the License Plate Cash Fund beginning with the 2029 license plate issuance cycle. Fees currently are credited to the Highway Trust Fund.

The provisions of Dover’s bill also would allow owners to register a motor vehicle or trailer for a period of two or three years, in addition to the current annual registration period, beginning in 2029. All fees and taxes for each year of a multiyear registration would be paid at the time of renewal.

Dover introduced an amendment, adopted 26-0, to raise the maximum license plate fee from $4.25 to $8.

He said the proposed change is in response to concerns that the Trump administration’s current 25% tariff on imported aluminum could cause the price to spike.

Sen. R. Brad von Gillern of Elkhorn introduced an amendment, adopted 30-5, to include amended provisions of his LB279.

They would require the department to issue one license plate rather than two for every registered motor vehicle or trailer beginning with the 2029 license plate issuance cycle. The amendment would require license plates to be displayed on the rear of the vehicle.

In addition to the environmental benefits of using less aluminum, von Gillern said, the change could save Nebraskans approximately $6 million over the next license plate issuance cycle. Owners of new vehicles could save roughly the same amount by avoiding the cost of installing a front license plate bracket, he said.

Nebraskans currently may request a single license plate for any passenger car that is not manufactured to be equipped with a front license plate bracket. Drivers who choose this option must display a license decal on the driver’s side of the windshield and pay a $50 annual fee.

Plymouth Sen. Tom Brandt opposed the amendment, saying it could hinder law enforcement officers in certain situations when they are searching for a particular vehicle.

After adoption of the amendments, senators advanced LB97 to select file on a vote of 38-0.