DMV cleanup bill, single license plate requirement passed

Lawmakers gave final approval April 10 to a state Department of Motor Vehicles cleanup measure that includes a requirement for the department to issue one license plate to each registered motor vehicle rather than two.

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

Among other changes, the bill exempts fertilizer trailers from titling requirements, prohibits modification of license plates, defines or redefines amphibious vehicles, junk vehicles and minibikes and adds telephone numbers and email addresses to the list of sensitive personal information under the Uniform Motor Vehicle Records Disclosure Act.

LB97 includes provisions of LB225, sponsored by Sen. Dunixi Guereca of Omaha, eliminating a requirement that individuals notarize applications for duplicate certificates of title.

The amended provisions of LB279, introduced by Elkhorn Sen. R. Brad von Gillern, 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 measure requires license plates to be displayed on the rear of the vehicle.

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

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

The measure also allows owners to register a motor vehicle or trailer for a period of two or three years, in addition to the annual registration period, beginning in 2029. All fees and taxes for each year of a multiyear registration will be paid at the time of renewal.

LB97 passed on a vote of 46-0 and takes effect immediately.