Transportation

LB 915 reduces Nebraska's statewide cap on inland port districts from six to five under the Municipal Inland Port Authority Act. This change affects cities, counties, and joint city-county proposals seeking to establish inland port districts by limiting the total number that can be created. The bill does not alter the criteria for creating a district but enforces a stricter maximum, meaning only five districts will be permitted at any time. This policy adjustment directly restricts future expansions of inland port authorities across the state.

Nebraska's LB 106 amends window tinting rules for motor vehicles, directly affecting drivers and vehicle owners. It increases allowable tint darkness by raising the maximum luminous reflectance and minimum light transmission limits for front side windows from 20% to 35% (previously stricter). The bill also adjusts rear window standards (maintaining 20% minimum light transmission for most vehicles but adding exceptions for vans, buses, and multipurpose vehicles). It preserves existing restrictions on windshield tinting (below the AS-1 line must be clear, no red/yellow/amber above) and maintains federal safety glazing requirements for campers and motor homes. The changes make it easier to apply darker tint to front side windows while keeping safety standards for visibility.

LB 471 prohibits state agencies, counties, cities, and villages from restricting the use, purchase, or sale of motor vehicles based on their energy source (e.g., electric, gasoline, or hybrid power). It also prevents the Department of Environment and Energy from seeking federal waivers to set stricter vehicle emission standards than those required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The bill directly affects vehicle buyers, dealers, and local governments by ensuring they cannot impose rules targeting specific vehicle energy types. Key provisions eliminate barriers to all vehicle types and maintain alignment with federal emission standards.

This bill amends Nebraska law to change how costs are paid when utility lines (like gas, water, or broadband) must be moved during road construction. It eliminates the state's obligation to cover relocation costs for utility facilities on highways that were once part of the interstate system but were later removed, ending state payments for such moves after July 1, 1993. The bill also removes outdated provisions about these payments and clarifies that state funding won't cover relocation costs for these specific highway cases. This directly affects utility companies and state transportation projects involving older highway corridors.