Transportation omnibus bill approved

A bill to align Nebraska’s transportation statutes with federal regulations received final approval from lawmakers May 28.

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

Among other changes, the bill increases civil penalties for motor carrier violations, updates medical certification requirements for commercial driver’s license holders and requires the department to post certain information to the Commercial Driver License Information System.

As amended, the measure includes provisions of six other bills heard by the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee this session.

The amended provisions of LB114, sponsored by Moser, increase fees for certain driver and motor vehicle records maintained by the department.

The provisions of LB134, introduced by Bellevue Sen. Rick Holdcroft, require the department to create six license plate designs intended to honor veterans and military service members.

The provisions of LB343, introduced by Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, decrease the organizational license plate fee from $70 to $40, the same as the alternate license plate fee.

The provisions of LB563, also sponsored by Brandt, require the department to issue permanent license plates for commercial fertilizer trailers.

The provisions of LB568, introduced by Omaha Sen. John Fredrickson, require the department to issue Arbor Day license plates.

The associated fees are directed to a new fund administered by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, which will award grants to the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum for tree planting, environmental education and other purposes.

The provisions of LB175, introduced by Sen. Bob Hallstrom of Syracuse, require a railroad’s successor in interest to provide at least one adequate crossing for a person who owns land on both sides of a right-of-way.

LB398 passed on a vote of 45-4 and takes effect immediately.