Judicial public safety package approved

Senators passed a proposal May 29 that increases penalties for certain traffic violations and includes several other public safety measures.

LB530, sponsored by Omaha Sen. Kathleen Kauth, increases speeding violation fines in all categories and clarifies that driving at more than double the posted maximum speed limit is considered prima facie evidence of reckless driving.

Additionally, the bill increases the criminal penalty for motor vehicle homicide to a Class IV felony if an individual dies as a result of a driver’s actions.

Other measures included in LB530 are:
● LB6, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Carolyn Bosn, which enhances penalties for providing an individual with fentanyl if that person is seriously injured or dies as a result;
● LB124, sponsored by Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, which updates the penalty for motor vehicle homicide of an unborn child caused by driving under the influence from a Class IIIA to a Class IIA felony;
● LB395, introduced by Niobrara Sen. Barry DeKay, which allows law enforcement to inspect sealed records of individuals younger than 25 who apply for a gun permit or handgun purchase to check for prior domestic violence adjudications and requires courts to inform juveniles about firearm possession prohibitions after completing probation;
● LB404, sponsored by Sen. Bob Hallstrom of Syracuse, which allows the court to extend a probation term if the probation officer and the probationer jointly apply for it;
● LB556, introduced by Ralston Sen. Merv Riepe, which lowers the allowable age for youth detention from 13 to 11;
● LB600, sponsored by Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington, which allows the Nebraska Department of Transportation to reduce speed limits temporarily under conditions such as adverse weather, emergencies or traffic congestion and outlines rules for drivers encountering stopped vehicles; and
● LB684, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Eliot Bostar, which transfers juvenile probation functions from the Office of Probation Administration to a newly established executive branch Juvenile Probation Agency and makes a number of other changes.

Lawmakers voted 37-11 to pass LB530.