All Roll Calls
Yes: 350 • No: 52
NebraskaLB398109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET
Adopt updates to federal law relating to motor vehicles and motor carriers, provide for Arbor Day license plates and certain trailer license plates, change fees and fee distribution provisions for license plates and records requests related to motor vehicles and motor vehicle operators, change provisions relating to commercial driver’s licenses and CLP-commercial learner’s permits, and provide duties for successors in interest of certain railroad property
Sponsored By: Mike Moser
Signed by Governor
Transportation and Telecommunications Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
26 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 5 costs, 13 mixed.
Tougher CDL disqualifications and hazmat checks
The DMV permanently disqualifies a CDL if you used a commercial vehicle in a felony that fits the federal definition of severe trafficking as of January 1, 2024. Hazardous‑materials endorsements must meet the federal USA PATRIOT Act and related rules as of January 1, 2024. This adds strict screening and can bar some drivers from hazmat jobs.
Stricter CDL medical proof and downgrades
CDL and CLP holders must keep medical proof current. If your medical card or variance expires or is missing, the DMV marks you “not-certified” within 10 days and starts a downgrade. Your CDL/CLP is canceled and marked “not-certified,” with the downgrade finished within 60 days. By June 23, 2025, the DMV must update the federal CDL record within one business day. The DMV also posts your self‑certification and medical examiner details to the federal record and keeps your medical card on file for three years.
Disabled veteran plates limited to 100%
Only veterans the VA classifies as 100% service‑connected disabled qualify for Disabled Veteran plates. The VA rating must be verified before the plate is issued.
Railroads must provide crossings; cost share applies
If you own land on both sides of a railroad, the railroad must provide and keep one safe crossing. You can ask the Department of Transportation to order a new or moved crossing. If a special crossing costs more than $1,500, you pay half of the amount over $1,500.
Rules to attach or detach mobile homes
If your mobile or manufactured home is attached to land you own, you can cancel the vehicle title by filing an affidavit of affixture with the county treasurer. After cancellation, the home becomes part of the real estate and liens work like real‑property liens. To remove and retitle the home later, record an affidavit of detachment and get any lienholder’s written consent.
New medical proof rules for CDL drivers
Before June 23, 2025, nonexcepted CDL or CLP drivers who self-certify for interstate driving must keep a current medical examiner’s certificate and give a copy to the DMV. By a date the DMV Director sets, no later than June 23, 2025, you must still keep a current certificate, but you no longer file a copy with the DMV. From that implementation date, a medical certificate issued directly to you does not satisfy federal part 391. If you have an FMCSA medical variance, you must carry the exemption letter or Skill Performance Evaluation certificate when driving.
ID scanning at checkout: rules and penalties
Stores may scan IDs to check age for alcohol, lottery, or tobacco. They may store only age and the ID number, and must post a sign. Sellers of meth‑precursor products may store extra fields named in law. Data storage is limited to 18 months unless law requires more. Software must be certified, and misuse or improper storage can be a Class IV felony.
New prices for driver and vehicle records
A copy of a vehicle, trailer, or similar record costs $1 per copy. Driver record fees are $4.50 per record before July 1, 2025; $12 per record from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029; and $4.50 per record starting July 1, 2029. For electronic access: $1 per individual record and per data-to-data request; $50 for bulk requests under 2,000 records; and $18 per 1,000 records for larger requests (rounded up). Per‑thousand rates change on July 1, 2026. The state splits these fees between the License Plate Cash Fund and the Records Management Cash Fund as set in law.
Federal truck rules adopted and enforced
Nebraska adopts key federal truck and hazardous‑materials safety rules (mainly as of January 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025). Intrastate drivers face hours limits: up to 12 hours driving after 10 off, no driving after 16 hours on duty, and 70 hours in 7 days or 80 hours in 8 days. Farm hauls during planting and harvest are exempt within 150 air miles. The State Patrol can inspect records and equipment, and civil penalties are updated. The state aligns carrier registration with the International Registration Plan (Jan 1, 2025) and Unified Carrier Registration, and may join the UCR plan.
Veterans get help adopting pets
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs runs a Pets for Vets program. It awards grants to help veterans pay pet adoption costs. Money comes from the Pets for Vets Cash Fund.
New fund to recruit Nebraska veterans
The Veterans Employment Program Fund supports recruiting and education to attract recently separated veterans to live and work in Nebraska. The fund also pays to create and run a website. Money comes from credits named in law and other appropriations.
Scholarships for Native American students
The Native American Scholarship and Leadership Fund provides scholarships and leadership opportunities for Native American students at Nebraska colleges. The Commission on Indian Affairs administers the fund using money credited under this law.
Arts and history grants get funding
The state creates the Support the Arts Cash Fund for grants to creative districts and communities. It also creates the Support Nebraska History Cash Fund to promote Nebraska history online and support history education for kids. Funds cover program and administration costs.
More funding for parks, wildlife, and youth
Money credited under the law is set aside for state trail work in the Game and Parks State Park Improvement and Maintenance Fund. The Game and Parks Commission Educational Fund can use added money for youth wildlife conservation education. The Wildlife Conservation Fund can receive credited money and General Fund transfers tied to tax‑designation contributions. The state also creates the Josh the Otter—Be Safe Around Water Cash Fund for a water‑safety education program.
Plate fees fund breast cancer care and TANF
Breast Cancer Awareness plate fees go to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for its breast cancer navigator program. Choose Life plate fees go to the Health and Human Services Cash Fund to supplement federal TANF dollars. Plate buyer costs do not increase due to these designations.
New fund for driver license system
The state creates a fund to build and maintain a new operator’s license services system. The DMV Director must set an implementation date by July 1, 2032. Starting October 1, 2024, investment earnings from the fund go to the General Fund.
More funding for organ donor education
The Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness and Education Fund gets an added source of money under this act. Health and Human Services uses the fund for organ and tissue donation education and outreach.
More ID info to register a car
Vehicle registration applications must include your full legal name (or the name on your license or state ID), your license or state ID number, and other listed ID elements. Business owners must give the entity’s tax ID number. This adds documentation steps when you register.
Commercial fertilizer trailers: new rules
The law defines a “commercial fertilizer trailer.” Starting January 1, 2026, owners or lessors must register each trailer for $1. Plates must show an “X” and stay on the rear while registered by the original owner or lessor.
Wrecker and salvage dealers: e‑reporting
Licensed wreckers and salvage dealers must send vehicle reports through the DMV’s electronic system. Reports must list VIN, date obtained, seller (for police), disposition, and any export. The DMV may charge a fee up to the cost of reporting to the national title system.
New and cheaper specialty plate options
Arbor Day plates are available starting January 1, 2026, with fees going to a fund for tree and community projects. The alphanumeric “Good Life Is Outside” plate has a $5 fee per issuance or renewal to support state trail work. The organizational plate fee drops from $70 to $40 on October 1, 2025. The DMV stops issuing any alternate plate type that sells under 500 per year over any two‑year period. The Arbor Day Plate Cash Fund is run by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents and supports grants to the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.
New Space Force and Purple Heart plates
Military Honor Plates now include a Space Force design starting January 1, 2026, if the service approves its emblem. Purple Heart plates start the same day. A basic alphanumeric Purple Heart plate has no license plate fee. A personalized Purple Heart plate costs $40 to issue and $40 to renew, with $10 to the DMV Cash Fund and $30 to the Nebraska Veteran Cemetery System Operation Fund. A trust can apply if a beneficiary qualifies, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs must verify eligibility.
Employers can check CDL driver records
Employers can get your CDL or CLP driver record to verify your license after proving who they are and why they need it. Social Security numbers are not disclosed. This follows federal rules for commercial driver licensing systems.
Low‑speed vehicle rules updated
The state updates what counts as a low‑speed vehicle to match federal safety rules. Four‑wheeled vehicles over 20 and up to 25 mph and under 3,000 pounds qualify if they meet those standards. Some three‑wheeled vehicles under 25 mph and under 3,000 pounds also qualify, with required equipment. A motorcycle with a sidecar is not a low‑speed vehicle.
Try manufacturer dispute program before refund
The DMV sets standards for manufacturers’ informal dispute programs that match federal rules as of January 1, 2025. If a maker has a DMV‑certified program, you must try it before you can get a refund or replacement under state law.
Old motor‑vehicle statutes repealed
The law repeals a list of older motor‑vehicle statutes and sets some parts to take effect July 1, 2025. Check the statute for the full list and dates.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Mike Moser
legislature
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 29 • No: 12 • Other: 8
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 39 • No: 0 • Other: 10
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 39 • No: 0 • Other: 10
legislature vote • 5/28/2025
Final Reading
Yes: 45 • No: 4
legislature vote • 5/28/2025
Select File
Yes: 21 • No: 14 • Other: 14
legislature vote • 5/14/2025
Select File
Yes: 31 • No: 10 • Other: 8
legislature vote • 5/14/2025
Vote
Yes: 29 • No: 12 • Other: 8
legislature vote • 4/9/2025
Vote
Yes: 39 • No: 0 • Other: 10
legislature vote • 4/9/2025
Vote
Yes: 39 • No: 0 • Other: 10
legislature vote • 4/9/2025
Vote
Yes: 39 • No: 0 • Other: 10
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor on June 4, 2025
6/6/2025legislatureProvisions/portions of LB114 amended into LB398 by AM842
6/6/2025legislatureProvisions/portions of LB134 amended into LB398 by AM842
6/6/2025legislatureProvisions/portions of LB175 amended into LB398 by AM765
6/6/2025legislatureProvisions/portions of LB343 amended into LB398 by AM842
6/6/2025legislatureProvisions/portions of LB563 amended into LB398 by AM842
6/6/2025legislatureProvisions/portions of LB568 amended into LB398 by AM842
6/6/2025legislaturePresented to Governor on May 29, 2025
5/29/2025legislatureCavanaugh, M. MO297 withdrawn
5/28/2025legislatureMotion to return to Select File pending
5/28/2025legislatureMotion to return to Select File failed
5/28/2025legislatureHallstrom AM1509 not considered
5/28/2025legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
5/28/2025legislaturePassed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 45-4-0
5/28/2025legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
5/28/2025legislatureCavanaugh, M. MO297 Recommit to the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee filed
5/27/2025legislatureHallstrom AM1509 filed
5/21/2025legislaturePlaced on Final Reading Second
5/19/2025legislatureBallard AM1464 filed
5/14/2025legislatureReturned to Select File for specific amendment
5/14/2025legislatureBallard AM1464 adopted
5/14/2025legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Reengrossment
5/14/2025legislaturePlaced on Final Reading
4/29/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ER46 adopted
4/23/2025legislatureCavanaugh, M. MO198 Bracket until May 6, 2025 filed
4/23/2025legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
6/6/2025
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted