Transportation and Telecommunications Committee
February 4, 2025
Committee Chair: Sen. Senator Beau Ballard (Vice Chair); later chaired by Senator Moser | Bills Heard: 5 | Full Transcript (PDF)
LB134: Military veteran license plates and campaign medal plate
Introduced by: Sen. Rick Holdcroft | Testimony: 4 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Holdcroft's veteran license plate bill gets another shot after two prior attempts. The bill harmonizes military veteran plate language, adds Space Force recognition, and lets disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients add wheelchair symbols to their plates—without sacrificing access to handicapped parking. The change also renames the confusing "DAV" designation to "disabled veteran" to avoid confusion with the Disabled American Veterans organization.
Why it matters: Veterans who use mobility devices can finally display their service pride while keeping the accessible parking access they need. The bill addresses a real equity issue: previously, disabled veterans had to choose between showing their service or accessing the parking spaces they depend on.
What they're saying: - Amanda Vazquez, Paralyzed Veterans of America: "A veteran should not have to choose between a designated plate and an accessible plate. This bill corrects that disparity." - Sen. Holdcroft noted the bill evolved over three years based on veteran feedback, moving from a simple parking provision to this more nuanced approach.
By the numbers: Three online proponents, zero opponents, zero neutral testimony. Holdcroft estimated roughly 500 total plates across all military branches.
What's next: No vote was taken during the hearing. Holdcroft indicated he would return for closing statements.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Brandt, Sen. DeBoer, Sen. Bosn
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB279: Single rear license plate requirement
Introduced by: Sen. Brad von Gillern | Testimony: 2 proponents, 3 opponents, 1 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Von Gillern's single-plate bill faces law enforcement skepticism despite 26 states already allowing it. The bill would let Nebraskans display only a rear license plate, eliminating the $50-$100 cost of front brackets or the $50 annual windshield decal fee. But committee members raised concerns about police pursuits and vehicle identification.
Why it matters: New cars increasingly come without front plate brackets, forcing owners to pay extra or drill holes in bumpers. The bill could save money and reduce aluminum waste, but law enforcement effectiveness is a legitimate concern in a state with budget pressures.
What they're saying: - Sen. von Gillern: "The $50 fee—apparently [license plate readers] work. So I don't know where [safety concerns] came from." - Douglas County Sheriff (via letter): Officers in pursuit lose front-plate identification when vehicles back into parking lots. - Loy Todd, car dealers: "People either don't want [front plates] or some people don't care. But the ones who don't want it really don't want it."
By the numbers: 26 states now allow single rear plates, up from 19 when von Gillern introduced similar legislation in 2023. One proponent, three opponents, one neutral testimony.
What's next: No vote taken. Sen. Fredrickson suggested amending to align with the 2029 plate cycle for cost efficiency. Von Gillern indicated willingness to work with the committee on timing.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Fredrickson Skeptical: Sen. Brandt, Sen. Bosn
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB343: Reduce organizational license plate fees
Introduced by: Sen. Tom Brandt | Testimony: 8 proponents, 2 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Brandt's bill eliminates a pricing quirk that charges agricultural groups 75% more for license plates than other organizations. Organizational plates cost $70 while legislatively-approved specialty plates cost $40—a discrepancy with no current justification. The bill reduces organizational plates to $40, creating one consistent pricing structure.
Why it matters: Nine agricultural organizations—from Nebraska Corn Growers to Soybean Association—support the change. Since organizational plates don't generate revenue for the sponsoring groups anyway (all proceeds go to state funds), the lower price could increase sales while making the system fairer.
What they're saying: - Steve Ebke, Corn Growers: "LB343 simply reduces the license fee for organizational specialty plates...providing consistency with the cost of personalized specialty plates." - Sen. Brandt: The $70 fee originated when organizations had to apply directly to DMV, while specialty plates came through the Legislature starting in 2015. "We're just trying to make it the same price."
By the numbers: Seven proponent emails, two opponent emails. The $70 plate splits 60% to DMV Cash Fund ($42) and 40% to Highway Trust Fund ($28). Reducing to $40 would proportionally decrease both allocations.
What's next: No vote taken. Committee appeared supportive of the straightforward equity argument.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Storer, Sen. Bosn, Sen. Moser
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB563: Permanent license plates for commercial fertilizer trailers
Introduced by: Sen. Tom Brandt | Testimony: 4 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Brandt's fertilizer trailer bill offers a commonsense fix to a real administrative headache affecting thousands of Nebraska farm businesses. The bill lets agricultural cooperatives and retailers purchase permanent plates for fertilizer trailers instead of renewing annually and replacing plates every six years. Farmers Cooperative alone manages 2,000+ trailers; the industry likely has 30,000+.
Why it matters: These trailers are used only 2 months per year but require registration 12 months annually. Fertilizer is corrosive—plates deteriorate so badly they require a side grinder to remove. Businesses spend hundreds of hours annually managing stickers and plate changes across multiple counties. County treasurers face equal burden. Permanent plates already work for semi-trailers.
What they're saying: - Allan Zumpfe, Farmers Cooperative CEO: "We have a full-time person that needs to go to ten county treasurers' offices...then these trailers are spread through 45 locations." - Cody Lightwine, Norder Supply: "Our team spends in excess of 100 hours" annually on stickers, "plus another 100 hours" in plate-change years. - All testifiers emphasized: "This isn't about fees. We're OK with the fees as they are."
By the numbers: Four proponents, zero opponents. Farmers Cooperative: 2,000+ trailers. Norder Supply: ~500 trailers. Nebraska Cooperative Council members: 14,351+ trailers across 17 co-ops alone.
What's next: No vote taken. Amendment forthcoming to shift distribution to county treasurers, reducing fiscal impact by ~$100,000. Committee appeared enthusiastic; Sen. Moser warned that "every commonsense bill runs into some kind of snafu."
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Storer, Sen. Bosn, Sen. Guereca, Sen. Moser
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB568: Home of Arbor Day license plate
Introduced by: Sen. John Fredrickson | Testimony: 11 proponents, 0 opponents, 3 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Fredrickson's Arbor Day plate fills a surprising gap: Nebraska is home of Arbor Day but has no Arbor Day license plate. The bill creates one, with all alphanumeric plate fees ($5) and 75% of personalized plate fees ($40) going to the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum for tree planting and community landscaping grants. The bill also cleans up and harmonizes license plate statute to streamline future specialty plate legislation.
Why it matters: The Arboretum distributed $10 million over 20 years and planted 28,000 trees in 2024 alone—54% in rural communities. Nebraska faces unprecedented threats to its tree canopy from invasive pests and severe weather. This creates a new funding stream while letting Nebraskans show pride in their state's environmental legacy every time they drive.
What they're saying: - Hanna Pinneo, Arboretum Executive Director: "Nebraska chose to create a network of multiple arboretum across the state...making us the only statewide arboretum in the country." - Karen Pesek, Arboretum board member: The organization became "true partners, providing expertise, labor, and plans" for community landscaping projects. - Sen. Fredrickson: "Arbor Day truly is a point of statewide pride...founded here in our state, and it's something that is celebrated on the national level."
By the numbers: Nine proponent letters, zero opponents, three neutral. Arboretum operates 100+ sites statewide; in 2024 partnered with 97 communities.
What's next: No vote taken. Amendment forthcoming to adjust implementation date. Committee appeared enthusiastic about supporting the Arboretum's work.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Bosn
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
Session Notes
Committee hearing held February 4, 2025. Vice Chair Beau Ballard presided over LB134 hearing; Chair Moser presided over remaining bills. Committee members present included Sens. Fredrickson, Brandt, Bosn, Guereca, and Storer. Committee clerk Connie Thomas and legal counsel Gus Shoemaker present. Pages Wesley and Alberto assisted. Three-minute testimony time limit enforced with light system. No votes were taken on any bills during this hearing. All bills appeared to receive favorable reception from committee members, though some raised clarifying questions and suggested amendments.
Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.