Transportation

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 977: Provide requirements under the Nebraska Rules of the Road for motorists and electric personal assistive mobility device operators encountering certain animals being led, herded, or driven on or along highways

This bill amends Nebraska's traffic laws to clarify rules for motorists encountering livestock and animal herders. It redefines "vulnerable road user" to explicitly include people leading, herding, or driving livestock on highways (Section 60-6,193). The key provision prohibits livestock herders from traveling on roadways with minimum speed limits of 20 mph or higher, requiring them to use lower-speed roads instead. This directly affects ranchers, farmers, and others who lead or herd animals on public roads. The change aims to improve safety by reducing conflicts between slow-moving livestock and faster-moving traffic on higher-speed roadways.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies road safety rules for livestock herders, requiring lower-speed roads to prevent collisions, enhancing highway safety standards under transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 991: Provide for stop-signal-arm camera systems on school buses and authorize the use of such systems for enforcement of certain violations under the Nebraska Rules of the Road

LB 991 allows Nebraska school districts to install and operate camera systems on school buses to capture vehicles that fail to stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. The bill requires buses with such cameras to display a visible warning sign readable from 100 feet and mandates that captured footage include the date, time, and location of the violation. School districts can use the footage to enforce existing traffic laws that require drivers to stop for school buses, with the data potentially being shared with law enforcement. This bill does not change the traffic rules for school buses but adds a new enforcement tool for violations that endanger children.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances school bus safety enforcement by enabling camera systems to capture violations, directly improving traffic safety for pedestrians and students near schools.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1223: Change headlight requirements under the Nebraska Rules of the Road and prohibit the sale and distribution of certain motor vehicles under the Motor Vehicle Industry Regulation Act

LB 1223 updates Nebraska's headlight safety standards for all motor vehicles (except emergency vehicles) by setting specific limits: headlights must not exceed 42 inches in height, 3,000 lumens in intensity, or 6,000 kelvin in color temperature, and must comply with federal safety standards. It also prohibits motor vehicle dealers, manufacturers, and distributors from selling or distributing vehicles that do not meet these new headlight requirements. The bill harmonizes existing rules by amending multiple sections of Nebraska's vehicle regulations to enforce these technical specifications and prevent misleading advertising about vehicle features.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill updates headlight safety standards to enhance vehicle safety on roads, directly aligning with transportation safety indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1126: Adopt the Infrastructure Development Investment Program Act and change and eliminate provisions relating to the Rural Road Improvement District Act, the Political Subdivisions Construction Alternatives Act, the Transportation Innovation Act, the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act, the Nebraska Rules of the Road, intrastate medicaid nonemergency medical transportation services, and wireless service surcharges

LB 1126 creates Nebraska's Infrastructure Development Investment Program to provide loans and financial assistance for transportation infrastructure projects. It directly affects eligible entities like cities, counties, and private partners in public-private partnerships seeking funding for projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, or bike facilities. The program, administered by the Department of Transportation with final authority held by the State Highway Commission, defines "eligible projects" as those enhancing mobility, safety, economic development, or quality of life. Key mechanisms include establishing a dedicated fund for financing, setting eligibility criteria for costs, and streamlining project approval processes under new financial assistance rules.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates Nebraska's Infrastructure Development Investment Program to fund roads, bridges, transit systems, and bike facilities through loans and financial assistance for transportation infrastructure projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Feb 25, 2026

LB 719: Redefine a term under the Nebraska Rural Projects Act

Nebraska Legislative Bill 719 updates the definition of "Project" under the Nebraska Rural Projects Act. It clarifies that a "Project" includes expenses for developing new industrial rail business parks (covering site work, rail spurs, utility infrastructure, and tenant support) or projects within 30 miles of the state's largest artificial reservoir for water storage. This change directly affects rural business park developers and projects near major reservoirs seeking state funding. The bill replaces the previous definition with this detailed description without altering eligibility criteria or creating new programs.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill redefines 'Project' to include rail business parks and spurs, enabling state funding for rail infrastructure projects, directly advancing transportation infrastructure development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Rail

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1162: Change powers and duties of the Public Service Commission relating to railroad safety

LB 1162 amends Nebraska's Public Service Commission authority to adopt and enforce specific federal railroad safety standards for safety inspections. The bill allows the commission to use federal standards (from 49 C.F.R. parts 213, 215, 223, 229, 231, and 232) when conducting inspections and participating in federal safety programs. It requires the commission to report potential federal violations to the Federal Railroad Administration for enforcement. This directly affects railroad carriers operating in Nebraska and the Public Service Commission's safety oversight role.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnforces federal railroad safety standards (49 C.F.R. parts), strengthening workplace safety protections for rail workers through mandatory inspections and reporting violations to FRA.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates adoption of federal railroad safety standards (49 C.F.R. parts) for inspections, directly enhancing transportation safety infrastructure compliance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Rail

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1176: Change provisions relating to the Nebraska Rules of the Road and the Automatic License Plate Reader Privacy Act

LB 1176 modifies Nebraska's traffic laws to allow speed control enforcement systems in highway work zones, which use cameras to photograph vehicles exceeding the speed limit by 11 mph or more. This directly affects drivers in construction zones and law enforcement agencies, requiring clear signage and visible officer presence during enforcement. The bill also redefines "automatic license plate reader system" to exclude speed enforcement technology, clarifying that such systems cannot be used for criminal investigations under the Privacy Act. Key provisions include new definitions for terms like "alert" and "secured area" to strengthen privacy protections for license plate data collected by law enforcement. The bill repeals prior sections to implement these specific changes to traffic enforcement and privacy rules.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnables camera-based speed enforcement in highway work zones to enhance safety, directly advancing transportation safety standards per bill's focus on traffic law modifications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety Vehicle Registration

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 874: Enhance penalties for motor vehicle homicide and motor vehicle homicide of an unborn child caused by wireless communication device violations

This bill increases penalties for drivers who cause death while using wireless communication devices (like texting) in violation of Nebraska law. It upgrades motor vehicle homicide charges to higher felony classifications (Class IIIA, IIA, or II) depending on the specific device violation committed, and imposes longer license suspensions or revocations (up to 15 years for severe cases). The bill also specifically addresses fatalities involving an unborn child, applying the same enhanced penalties when the driver’s device use caused the death. These changes affect drivers convicted of causing death while violating wireless device laws (sections 60-6,179.01-02, 60-6,213-214, or 60-6,196-6,197.06).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases felony classifications and license suspensions for distracted driving homicides, enhancing penalties without reform elements.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances road safety by increasing penalties for distracted driving (texting while driving), directly aligning with transportation safety indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1202: Change provisions relating to ignition interlock devices and ignition interlock permits

LB 1202 updates Nebraska's rules for ignition interlock permits, which are devices that prevent vehicles from starting if alcohol is detected. It directly affects drivers convicted of certain traffic offenses (like DUI) who are required to use these devices. The bill clarifies the permit application process: applicants must submit a court order, proof of device installation, and pay a fee, and permits are only valid for non-commercial vehicles. It also specifies that drivers on probation for qualifying offenses won’t receive license points if they have the device installed, but will if they fail to comply.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by requiring ignition interlocks for DUI offenders, preventing drunk driving through vehicle regulation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 594: Change and eliminate provisions relating to the use of handheld wireless communication devices while operating a motor vehicle

LB 594 proposes to prohibit drivers from holding or manually using handheld wireless devices (like cell phones) while operating a moving vehicle, except for specific exceptions. It exempts emergency personnel (police, firefighters), utility workers responding to emergencies, and drivers communicating with emergency services. The bill allows hands-free use (e.g., voice commands without touching the device) and requires law enforcement to enforce this only after citing drivers for other traffic violations. Violations would result in fines ($200 for first offense) and points on a driver’s license, with the law repealing the current section it amends. This bill, currently pending in Nebraska’s Transportation Committee, directly affects all drivers operating motor vehicles in the state.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits handheld device use while driving to enhance road safety, directly aligning with transportation safety standards under vehicle regulations.90% confidence

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