DMV cleanup measure amended, advanced to final round

A state Department of Motor Vehicles cleanup bill advanced to final reading March 31 after senators amended it to include a measure under which license plate fees would be used to support injured law enforcement personnel and Nebraskans with disabilities.

LB972, sponsored by Omaha Sen. John Fredrickson, includes changes requested by the DMV to improve customer service and protect against fraud.

As amended on general file, the bill also would require the department to issue several new types of alternative license plates, including Choice Color Plates, beginning in 2027. The license plates would have solid black, blue or green backgrounds with white characters.

Sen. Mike Moser of Columbus introduced an amendment on select file to include amended provisions of LB1092, sponsored by Lincoln Sen. Eliot Bostar. The amendment would eliminate the option for black Choice Color Plates and instead require the department to issue two additional types of license plates.

Moser said a portion of the fees from new Back the Blue License Plates would be credited to a cash fund administered by the Nebraska State Patrol. The agency would use the fund to provide grants to injured law enforcement personnel or the spouse or child of any injured or deceased law enforcement officer.

Grants also could be used to conduct charitable activity that supports Nebraska residents.

Blackout License Plates, which would have a solid black background with white characters, would have an application and renewal fee of $100.

Seventy percent of the associated fees would be directed to the Department of Motor Vehicles Cash Fund, and 30% would be credited to a new cash fund administered by the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Moser said the department would use the fund to award grants to developmental disability service providers to improve their transportation fleets and infrastructure, as well as to increase capacity for additional clients.

To qualify for a grant, a provider must be under contract with the department to provide a specialized or assisted service.

Lincoln Sen. Beau Ballard supported the amendment, saying a similar black license plate program in Colorado has raised millions of dollars for programs that help people with developmental disabilities.

Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth opposed the measure, saying the state should not use the DMV license plate program to raise money for another state agency.

“Pretty soon, you’re going to have all sorts of license plates out there doing this,” he said.

Senators voted 31-1 to adopt Moser’s amendment.

As amended on general file, LB972 also includes a modified version of Ballard’s LB1121. The measure would authorize the Nebraska Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board to issue licenses to dealers, manufacturers and distributors of new recreational vehicles and regulate franchise agreements between manufacturers and dealers.

Ballard introduced a select file amendment that he said includes updates agreed upon by the board, the Nebraska New Car and Truck Dealers Association and RV manufacturers and dealers.

Among other technical changes, he said, the amendment would ensure that state motor vehicle franchise laws do not apply to recreational vehicles.

The amendment was adopted on a vote of 38-0.

Kearney Sen. Stan Clouse introduced an amendment, adopted 38-0, to include provisions of his LB1005.

Under the proposal, all-terrain vehicles or utility-type vehicles could be operated within city or village limits between the hours of sunset and sunrise as long as their use is authorized by the city, village or county and they meet certain headlight and taillight requirements.

After adoption of the amendments, senators advanced LB972 to final reading by voice vote.