Nebraska
Rod & Custom Association
PO Box 182
Doniphan Nebraska 68832
"Driving today to keep driving
tomorrow"
Legislation
Welcome to NRCA's Legislative Page.
We will try to keep you informed of legislation that affects your hobby.
NRCA Legislative Report
Issue 1 - March 2004.
Nebraska Rod and Custom Association reviews bill introductions by title
to spot those we may find an issue with or wish to support. From that list
we generally review the bill over the internet connection with the State
of Nebraska. Short bills may be printed out or there may even be an introducer's
statement of intent available that we can review. Either way we look at
them to determine if NRCA should be concerned.
Part of the Unicameral system that provides a function similar to a two
house legislative system is the committee structure we have. Each bill introduced
will have a hearing and the first step in moving the legislation along is
having it voted out of committee. Most bills that affect automotive hobbyist
are assigned to the Transportation Committee, however, some that affect
fees and taxes will go to the Revenue Committee. Regardless of our position,
if a bill is either favorable or undesirable we watch for the hearing date.
Attending a hearing is the first line of defense or offense in protection
our interests. If necessary NRCA will testify on behalf of our 800 members
statewide.
Every session has its theme and this one is very focused on budget issues.
As such the bills introduced that affect us are minimal. It is however,
a very good time to get to know your State Senator, such that you will have
access to them when there is an important piece of legislation you want
to provide input on.
The following are some of the bills we looked at:
LB 849 (Aguilar) Provide requirements relating to insurance for motor
vehicle repairs
This bill is still in committee
Statement of Intent for LB 849
Principal Introducer Senator Ray Aguilar
Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee
The following constitutes the reasons for this bill and the purposes
which are sought to be
accomplished thereby:
The goal of LB 849 is to guarantee consumers a choice of autobody and glass
repair shops for reasonably priced repairs without suffering a financial
penalty from their insurer. Nebraska law allows an insurer to use the lowest
bid on all repairs for like kind and quality motor repair. In some cases,
this focus on lowest bid is used to accept less than the original intent
of "like kind and quality." LB 849 specifically asks that an insurer
not recommend any particular repair shop unless a referral is requested
by the claimant or the claimant has been informed of their right to choose
their own repair shop. If said disclosure takes place orally, LB 849 asks
for that disclosure to be followed up with a written document mailed to
the claimant.LB 849 would prohibit an insurer from asking a claimant who
has already chosen a repair shop, to select a different repair shop. Any
insurer that, by policy, suggests or recommends a motor vehicle be repaired
at a particular automotive repair shop shall (a) prominently disclose such
contractural provision at the time the insurance is applied for and (b)
if the claimant elects a shop of his or her choice, the insurer shall not
limit or discount the reasonable repair costs based on charges that would
have been incurred had the vehicle been repaired by the insurer's chosen
automotive repair shop. LB 849 states the Director of Insurance shall enforce
this section and may adopt rules and regulations to carry out this section.
LB 860 (Baker) Change provisions relating to certificates of title,
vehicle registration, and abandoned vehicles
Pertains to ATV, motor boats and min-bikes - not cars or trucks - it is
on General File
LB 866 (Byars, Brown, Johnson, et al.) Require all occupants in motor
vehicles to wear seatbelts
This bill was placed on General File 2/12/04 and has been chosen by the
speaker as a priority bill.
This bill requires everyone in the vehicle to wear a seat belt - it pertains
however, to those vehicles currently designated to have seat belts which
is generally 1973 and newer. The current statute on requires those in the
front seat to wear a seat belt.
LB 994 (Mines, Combs, Cudaback, et al.) Provide for one license plate and
ten-year issuance of such plate
This bill was Indefinitely Postponed on 2/4/03
This is a one license plate bill and changes the renewal period to 10 years.
The fiscal statement for this bill show it would actually cost money to
implement this bill if passed.
February 3, 2004 -- Contact made with Senator Mines - hearing was on February
3, 2004 and NRCA did provide testimony via email that was read into the
record.
LB 1024 (Jones, Aguilar, Baker et al) Change provisions related to motor
vehicle lighting equipment requirements
This bill is still in committee
Introducers statement of intent. - The purpose of LB 1024 is to update
the motor vehicle lighting statutes of the Nebraska Rules of the Road.
This legislation specifically limits the number of headlights that can be
active at one time, when parking lights should be activated and addresses
decorative lighting.
LB 1039 (Cudaback, Johnson, Schrock, et al.) Change registration provisions
for historical vehicles
This bill was indefinitely postponed 2/04/04
This bill amends section 60-311.15 and requires the Department of Motor
Vehicles to register a vehicle as historical if modifications or deviations
from the original specifications to the vehicle are of historic nature and
characteristic of the approximate era in which the vehicle belongs. This
is directed at the installation of hydraulic brakes and seal beam headlights
but could include other items of a safety nature.
LB 1073 (Cudaback) Authorize a joint alphanumeric system and county
number system for license plates
This bill was indefinitely postponed 2/04/04
While this bill has little effect on us, it may be of interest. It would
allow counties to offer county number plates as well as alphanumeric plates
in the same year.
LB 1121 (Burling) Provide for titling, registration, and taxation of
continuation motor vehicles
This bill is still in committee
Deals with assembled vehicles - not sure what it does yet - no intent statement
at present.
LB 1138 (Stuthman) Change provisions relating to off-road vehicles
This bill is still in committee
Intent of this bill is to give cities authority over ATVs within the corporate
limits. It would not affect farm use of these on public roads.
LB 1244 (Redfield, Bourne) Provide requirements relating to motor vehicle
repair parts
This bill was indefinitely postponed 2/19/04
This bill identifies various kinds of replacement part that could be used
to fix body damage. It requires that a statement be attached to any estimate
that shows what kind of parts are included in the estimate.
Requires motor vehicle repair shops to show on their estimate the source
of the parts. This allows those whose insurance only pays for non-OEM parts
to choose what kind of parts they want if they are willing to pay the difference.
LB 1255 (Redfield) Provide for an electronic lien and paperless certificate
of title system and change sales tax payment requirements
This bill is still in committee
-It provides for an electronic titling system to close a "loop hole"
in the filing of liens. There would be some fees involved but when a lien
holder releases a lien, you would get a new title in 15 days that would
show the lien removed.