Alternative license plate proposals considered

New alternative license plates would honor women veterans and support University of Nebraska museums under bills heard Jan. 20 by the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee.

LB738, introduced by Omaha Sen. Victor Rountree, would require the state Department of Motor Vehicles to design and issue Honoring Women Veterans license plates.

“It is important that we honor the hard work, dedication and the sacrifices that women veterans in our state have made,” he said. “I have served with so many strong women during my time in the Air Force, and each and every one of them is worthy of recognition.”

The bill would require the state Department of Veterans’ Affairs to use the associated fees to fund events focused on women veterans.

Desiree Wineland, Military Women’s Memorial ambassador for Nebraska, testified in support of LB738. Although women have served in the armed forces for decades, she said, their service is not always recognized after returning to civilian life.

The proposed license plate would publicly affirm women veterans’ contributions to national defense and acknowledge their sacrifices, Wineland said.

Under LB769, sponsored by Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara, the department would issue University of Nebraska State Museum License Plates beginning in 2027.

DeKay said the department would create no more than three license plate designs reflecting support for sites managed by the university: Ashfall Fossil Beds near Royal, Morrill Hall in Lincoln and Trailside Museum at Fort Robinson State Park.

The bill would require the Board of Regents to use fees generated by the new license plates to support research, public education and outreach at the museums.

Chloe Sweet, board member of a nonprofit that supports the State Museum, testified in support of LB769, saying the three sites have inspired and educated generations of Nebraskans.

“The commissioning of license plates would highlight the decades of work to promote the discovery of natural history and world cultures in Nebraska,” she said.

Dr. Susan Weller, University of Nebraska State Museum director, gave neutral testimony on the bill. She said the proposed license plates, which could feature unique fossils found at each site, would help foster an appreciation for science and the natural world and benefit surrounding communities by attracting more tourists.

No one spoke in opposition to the measures and the committee took no immediate action on them.