DMV cleanup measure amended, advanced

Lawmakers gave first-round approval March 5 to a state Department of Motor Vehicles cleanup bill after amending it to include several other transportation-related proposals.

Omaha Sen. John Fredrickson, sponsor of LB972, said the bill includes several technical changes requested by the department as well as updates intended to improve customer service and protect against fraud.

Among other changes, the bill would allow qualified licensees to renew their Class O or M license electronically or in person, require insurance companies to electronically transmit proof of liability coverage to the department and clarify requirements for the display of In Transit placards or stickers.

LB972 also would require the department to issue Choice Color Plates beginning in 2027. The license plates would have white characters on solid black, blue, green or red backgrounds.

The application fee would be $70 and $100 for alphanumeric and personalized message versions, respectively. Fees would be credited to the Department of Motor Vehicles Cash Fund.

A Transportation and Telecommunications Committee amendment, adopted 39-0, replaced the bill with a modified version of the original proposal as well as provisions of five other bills considered by the committee this session.

As introduced, LB972 would eliminate the requirement for an In Transit to be displayed on both the front and rear of a vehicle. Fredrickson said the amendment would require an In Transit to be displayed only on the rear of a vehicle beginning in 2029, to coincide with a license plate display requirement passed by the Legislature last session.

The provisions of LB738, introduced by Sen. Victor Rountree of Bellevue, would require the department to design and issue Honoring Women Veterans license plates beginning in 2027. The state Department of Veterans’ Affairs would use the associated fees to fund events focused on women veterans.

The provisions of LB769, sponsored by Niobrara Sen. Barry DeKay, would require the department to issue University of Nebraska State Museum License Plates beginning the same year. The department would create no more than three license plate designs reflecting support for museums managed by the university, including Ashfall Fossil Beds, Morrill Hall and Trailside Museum.

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

The provisions of LB922, introduced by Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, would increase caps on application fees for various licenses issued by the Nebraska Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board.

The provisions of LB1104, sponsored by Norfolk Sen. Robert Dover, would authorize the DMV and the state Department of Revenue to make a determination that a resident owner of a motor vehicle or trailer is avoiding state motor vehicle taxes and fees, registration fees or sales or use taxes.

Dover said he introduced the bill in response to constituent concerns that some Nebraskans avoid paying taxes by registering their vehicles in neighboring states.

A determination would be based on specific factors, such as whether the person does not own property or has not filed an income tax return in another state where the vehicle or trailer has been registered.

After making a determination, a department would be required to notify the presumed owner that they are required to register the motor vehicle or trailer and pay applicable taxes and fees. The presumed owner could appeal.

The amended provisions of LB1121, introduced by Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln, would regulate franchise agreements between manufacturers and dealers of recreational vehicles, which the bill defines as motor homes, travel trailers, fifth-wheel travel trailers, truck campers and folding camping trailers.

The measure would authorize the Nebraska Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board to regulate the issuance and revocation of licenses for dealers, manufacturers and distributors of new RVs.

Beginning in 2027, a manufacturer or distributor could not sell a new RV in Nebraska to or through a dealer without entering into a manufacturer-dealer agreement specifying the parties’ rights and responsibilities.

The measure also would add one licensed RV dealer and one licensed RV manufacturer to the board.

Blair Sen. Ben Hansen offered an amendment, adopted 38-0, to include amended provisions of his LB1099.

The amendment would eliminate the red Choice Color Plates option and instead require the DMV to design and issue Scarlet and Cream License Plates beginning in 2027. Fees would be directed to the Department of Motor Vehicles Cash Fund.

Under an amendment offered by Moser and adopted 35-1, Scarlet and Cream License Plates would be subject to the same application fees as Choice Color Plates.

Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue also introduced an amendment, adopted 35-0, that includes provisions of her LB786. She said the proposal would direct some of the proceeds from Military Honor Plates to a new Military Department Aid Fund to be used by the Adjutant General to award need-based grants to Nebraska National Guard and Air National Guard members.

After adoption of the amendments, LB972 advanced to select file on a vote of 38-0.