Nebraska's LB 648 changes the state's sales tax rate structure, setting a uniform 5.5% rate for most transactions from July 2024 through June 2026, with a reduced 2.75% rate in designated "good life districts" for certain sales. The bill also updates how sales tax revenue is distributed, directing proceeds from vehicle, boat, and aircraft sales to specific funds like Game and Parks, Highway Trust, and Aeronautics Capital Improvement. It becomes effective July 1, 2026, and repeals prior tax rate sections, though the exact rate after 2026 is listed as "XX percent" pending further action. This bill directly affects all Nebraska consumers and businesses selling taxable goods or services, including those in designated districts.
LB 530 amends penalties for several offenses, changing violations of specific sections to Class I misdemeanors. It directly affects individuals convicted of motor vehicle homicide (including cases involving unborn children), tampering with electronic monitoring devices, certain controlled substances violations, and improper passing of stopped vehicles or vulnerable road users. The bill modifies existing law by specifying that these offenses will now carry the penalty classification of a Class I misdemeanor, rather than a higher or unspecified level. This change affects sentencing outcomes for these specific violations, without altering the underlying prohibitions or creating new offenses.
Nebraska bill LB 343 changes the fee for specialty license plates from $70 to $40 per plate starting October 1, 2025. This directly affects residents who purchase or renew specialty plates for cars, trucks, or trailers. The bill specifies that 60% of the fee goes to the Department of Motor Vehicles Cash Fund and 40% to the Highway Trust Fund. It also maintains existing provisions for plate transfers ($3 fee) and temporary stickers.
This bill redefines "all-terrain vehicle" (ATV) and "utility-type vehicle" (UTV) in Nebraska law to clarify size, weight, and design requirements for registration. ATVs must be ≤50 inches wide, ≤1,200 lbs, use 3+ nonhighway tires, and carry only the operator or operator + one passenger. UTVs must be ≤74 inches wide, ≤180 inches long (including bumper), ≤2,000 lbs, and use 4+ nonhighway tires, while explicitly excluding ATVs, golf cars, and low-speed vehicles. The bill also prohibits registration of modified vehicles (with aftermarket parts beyond original specifications) under these categories. It directly affects ATV and UTV owners, particularly those who modify their vehicles, by restricting registration eligibility.
LB 124 changes penalties for drivers who cause the death of an unborn child while operating a vehicle in violation of specific traffic laws. It upgrades the offense from a Class I misdemeanor to a Class IIIA felony for deaths caused by speeding violations under sections 60-6,213 or 60-6,214, and to a Class IIA felony for repeat offenses involving sections 60-6,196 or 60-6,197.06. The bill mandates a court-ordered license revocation for 60 days to 15 years for these violations, separate from any jail sentence. This directly affects drivers convicted of traffic-related deaths of unborn children, particularly those with prior speeding convictions.
LB 8 amends Nebraska's Sustainable Aviation Fuel Tax Credit Act to make the credit refundable (allowing businesses to receive cash payments even if they owe no tax) and removes annual and multi-year limits on claiming the credit. This change directly affects sustainable aviation fuel producers and businesses in Nebraska that qualify for the tax credit under the existing act. The bill also adjusts the effective date for the credit and harmonizes related provisions across tax code sections. These modifications aim to increase accessibility and predictability for businesses investing in sustainable aviation fuel.
This bill creates a state grant program administered by Nebraska's Department of Economic Development to fund nonprofit organizations operating bike-sharing systems. Nonprofits must apply for grants, report on fund usage, and return unused funds. The bill specifically intends to allocate $250,000 from the General Fund to establish this program, directly affecting community bike-sharing initiatives and their nonprofit operators.
LB 337 amends Nebraska state laws to clarify and update regulations for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility-type vehicles (UTVs). It authorizes county governments to create local rules governing where and how these vehicles operate, including on certain public highways. The bill defines specific size, weight, and tire requirements for ATVs and UTVs, changes registration processes and fees under the Motor Vehicle Registration Act, and updates safety standards to align with current Nebraska traffic rules. These changes directly affect county officials, ATV/UTV owners, and operators who use these vehicles on public roads outside city limits.
Nebraska's LB 18 requires local authorities to verify specific safety and accessibility standards before approving new or modified utility poles for wireless providers under the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act. It mandates that pole installations must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, not obstruct public travel or safety, and not interfere with utility operations (Section 9). The bill also sets strict height limits: new poles cannot exceed 5 feet above the tallest existing pole within 500 feet or 50 feet above ground level (Section 5). This directly affects wireless companies installing poles in public right-of-way, ensuring standardized safety checks and height restrictions.
LB 333 proposed changes to Nebraska's Motor Vehicle Operator's License Act to require hazardous materials endorsements for commercial drivers transporting hazardous materials within Nebraska (intrastate). The bill aimed to harmonize state rules with federal standards for these endorsements, which are needed to legally haul certain hazardous materials. It affected commercial drivers operating within Nebraska who transport hazardous materials, requiring them to obtain this specific endorsement. The bill was withdrawn on February 21, 2025, and did not become law.
