Session Review: Transportation and Telecommunications
A state revolving loan program will finance local infrastructure projects, and fees from one of several new license plates will help support Nebraskans with developmental disabilities under measures advanced by the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee this session.
Omnibus bill
Under LB1126, sponsored by Columbus Sen. Mike Moser and passed on a 42-7 vote, the State Highway Commission will administer an infrastructure development investment program with assistance from the state Department of Transportation.
The program may provide loans or other financial assistance to political subdivisions and certain other entities to construct, improve or enhance roads, bridges and other eligible transportation infrastructure.
Among other changes, the bill also:
• authorizes a public-private partnership delivery method for transportation projects deemed appropriate at the discretion of the department director;
• allows political subdivisions to enter into public-private partnership contracts and receive unsolicited proposals under the Political Subdivisions Construction Alternatives Act;
• requires the department to include procedures for receiving and evaluating unsolicited proposals in existing guidelines for entering into certain alternative contracting methods; and
• increases maximum fees for certain permits for oversized or overweight vehicles and creates a superload vehicle category with associated maximum permit fees.
Additionally, LB1126 includes provisions of four other measures heard by the committee this session.
Wireless carriers are required to collect a surcharge from postpaid wireless customers to fund the state’s 911 service system. Previously, the surcharge was capped at 70 cents per month, except in a county containing a metropolitan class city, where a 50-cent limit applied. Omaha is the state’s only metropolitan class city.
The amended provisions of LB576, introduced last session by Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams, eliminate the 50-cent cap.
The state Public Service Commission holds an annual hearing to determine the amount of revenue needed to fund the 911 system and then sets the surcharge accordingly. Dorn’s measure also requires the commission to maximize operational support for the state’s public safety answering points when making that determination.
The amended provisions of LB1073, sponsored by Lincoln Sen. Carolyn Bosn, require commercial motor vehicle driver training to include at least 30 minutes of human trafficking training beginning in 2027.
The measure requires the state attorney general to prescribe the curriculum and training materials and to review and update them at least once every three years.
The provisions of LB1107, introduced by Sen. Glen Meyer of Pender, update the Rural Road Improvement District Act. The measure requires county resolutions on proposed road improvement projects to state whether the improvements will be a general cost to the county or paid for by levying special assessments.
Among other changes, the measure also extends the maximum term of county road improvement bonds from 10 to 20 years.
The amended provisions of LB1180, sponsored by Bennington Sen. Wendy DeBoer, modify the licensure process for carriers seeking to provide intrastate Medicaid nonemergency medical transportation services.
DMV cleanup, new license plates
LB972, introduced by Omaha Sen. John Fredrickson and passed 48-1, includes changes requested by the state Department of Motor Vehicles to improve customer service and protect against fraud.
Among other changes, the bill allows qualified licensees to renew their Class O or M license electronically or in person, requires insurance companies to electronically transmit proof of liability coverage to the department and clarifies requirements for the display of In Transit placards or stickers.
Beginning in 2027, the measure also requires the department to issue Choice Color Plates with a solid blue or green background and white characters. Associated fees will be credited to the Department of Motor Vehicles Cash Fund.
LB972 includes provisions of nine other measures considered this session.
The provisions of LB738, sponsored by Sen. Victor Rountree of Bellevue, require the DMV to design and issue Honoring Women Veterans license plates. The state Department of Veterans’ Affairs will use the associated fees to fund events focused on women veterans.
The provisions of LB769, introduced by Niobrara Sen. Barry DeKay, require the DMV to issue University of Nebraska State Museum License Plates. The measure requires the Board of Regents to use fees generated by the license plates to support research, public education and outreach at state museums.
The provisions of LB786, sponsored by Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, direct some of the proceeds from Military Honor Plates to a new Military Department Aid Fund. The adjutant general will use the fund to award need-based grants to Nebraska National Guard and Air National Guard members.
The provisions of LB922, introduced by Plymouth Sen. Tom Brandt, increase caps on application fees for various licenses issued by the Nebraska Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board.
Under the provisions of LB1005, sponsored by Sen. Stan Clouse of Kearney, all-terrain vehicles or utility-type vehicles may 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.
The amended provisions of LB1092, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Eliot Bostar, require the DMV to issue two additional types of license plates.
A portion of the fees from Back the Blue License Plates will be credited to a cash fund administered by the Nebraska State Patrol. The agency will use the fund to provide grants to injured law enforcement personnel or the spouse or child of any injured or deceased law enforcement officer.
Blackout License Plates will have a solid black background and white characters. Seventy percent of the associated fees are directed to the Department of Motor Vehicles Cash Fund, and 30% will be credited to a new cash fund administered by the state Department of Health and Human Services.
The department will 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.
The amended provisions of LB1099, sponsored by Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, require the DMV to design and issue Scarlet and Cream License Plates. Associated fees are directed to the Department of Motor Vehicles Cash Fund.
The provisions of LB1104, introduced by Norfolk Sen. Robert Dover, 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.
The amended provisions of LB1121, sponsored by Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln, authoriz 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.
Other measures
Owners of heavy commercial electric vehicles will pay a higher state registration fee under another bill advanced by the committee.
The standard registration fee for alternative-fuel vehicles is $150.
LB207, introduced last session by Elkhorn Sen. R. Brad von Gillern and passed 49-0, requires owners of commercially registered alternative-fuel vehicles with a gross weight of more than 7,500 pounds to pay a fee that is three times the standard fee, or $450.
The fee does not apply to large commercial trucks that operate across state lines.
Also advanced was a measure prohibiting rideshare companies from using dynamic pricing during a state of emergency that affects transportation.
Previously, transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft were prohibited from using dynamic pricing statewide during any state of emergency declared by the governor.
LB771, sponsored by Ballard, prohibits dynamic pricing for seven days after the governor declares a state of emergency when the emergency affects the transportation of people, goods or equipment.
The prohibition is confined to the areas outlined in the emergency proclamation, and the governor may further regulate dynamic pricing during a state of emergency through executive order.
LB771 passed on a vote of 44-2 and took effect immediately.
