Transportation omnibus bill amended, returned to final reading

A bill on final reading that would align Nebraska’s transportation statutes with federal regulations was returned to select file May 14 and amended to include a sunset date for a proposed driver record fee increase.

LB398, introduced by Sen. Mike Moser of Columbus, would ensure that the state complies with the most recent federal laws and regulations that govern the state Department of Motor Vehicles and Nebraska State Patrol.

As amended on general file, the measure includes provisions of six other bills heard by the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee this session, including LB114, also sponsored by Moser.

The proposal would increase fees for certain driver and motor vehicle records maintained by the department, including the driver record abstract fee. The increase, from $7.50 to $15 per record, is intended to fund the department’s driver licensing system modernization project.

Senators voted to return the bill to select file to consider an amendment offered by Lincoln Sen. Beau Ballard, which would decrease the fee to its current amount for requests made beginning July 1, 2029.

Ballard said he supports the fee increase but only as long as it’s needed to complete the department’s computer system upgrade. He said insurance companies that use the records to underwrite auto policies will pass on the $7.5 million annual fee increase to consumers.

“I think it’s important that we are not funding government on the back of premium payers,” Ballard said.

Moser opposed the amendment, saying it would be irresponsible to set the fee at its current amount in 2029 because it would not generate enough revenue to cover the department’s expenses.

“I don’t think that we should buckle to the special interests that are complaining about the cost of the drivers’ records,” he said.

After adopting Ballard’s amendment on a vote of 29-12, lawmakers advanced LB398 to final reading by voice vote.