[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6335332,"mediaKeyId","2289744-3e0695b9ee287db31f5a4a837472c666","parentId",2289744,"title","Bill would brand vehicles with major frame damage as structurally totaled; insurers and trade groups raise concerns","audioSeconds",568,"startMs",4592000,"endMs",5160000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2289744-3e0695b9ee287db31f5a4a837472c666&start=4592&end=5160","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2289744-3e0695b9ee287db31f5a4a837472c666/thumbnail_4592000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6335332/Nebraska/Bill-would-brand-vehicles-with-major-frame-damage-as-structurally-totaled-insurers-and-trade-groups-raise-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335332-1c7057e4400cf055346b4f9218bcde34/orig.mp4?Expires=1777126582&Signature=cV7R1NDhIzVX6DnMkljheEWx5-Cv5TjVUbKrlSh1qxhq82skuJokJomCchyQMI77YC19mbYH4iA1xIEAPOJUKRAlzqE6LnIgDI23xnTeJMjM0lBpp~icDy1cAkuUq1N0NdNBEx6zSovEf0YQC4XeSQMOc0-ndhyeF5WcFota8M7WhxAa3gPXvjqS~24-Li4t5Kyr7RvC-i9B4KFJ4QCiasHu-JxXGfKB8x85U3ALXVQ8hjS7HmrYvJFDHCdCGvRq8Qa5zFP-mZqrbulcsvU663sGx4rGpclFx6qmKsiv4IaaO23TPUAWaU73rECOpPn5c81mnxXBzmmcv7QOP6Vz3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Legislature","date","2025-02-10T00:00:00Z","article","Sen. Dan Quick introduced LB 112 to add a new category to Nebraska's salvage-title rules: a “structurally totaled” designation for vehicles where damage to frame, rails or other structural components (including engine cradle or rear differential) is severe and repair costs exceed a defined threshold.

“Structurally totaled vehicle means a vehicle totally totaled due to a kink or crease in a frame or rail… The cost of repairs must exceed 75% of the actual cash value of the vehicle,” Quick said in his opening remarks and indicated a pending amendment to clarify distinctions between cosmetic and structural losses.

Auto-body industry representatives said the measure responds to cases in which vehicles with significant structural damage are repaired and resold as ordinary used cars without adequate disclosure, creating safety risk for subsequent owners. Dave Yard, chairman of the Nebraska Auto Body Association, described examples where repairs were superficial or incomplete and safety systems (airbag sensors, seat belts) were not restored properly. “This is a big deal,” Yard told the committee. Industry witnesses argued a structural-salvage brand would warn future buyers and reduce the number of unsafe vehicles returning to the road.

Opponents included the Nebraska Insurance Federation and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA). Robert Bell of the Insurance Federation said insurers currently make salvage determinations and that manufacturers design many modern unibody vehicles to be repairable after frame damage; he and APCIA warned that an automatic structural category could unnecessarily remove repairable vehicles from the used-vehicle market and increase costs for buyers and insurers.

APCIA lobbyist Justin Brady added that manufacturers build some models with unibody structures intended to be repairable and that a statutory, automatic structural brand could conflict with repair practices and manufacturer guidance. He said the association found few federal safety-agency findings showing systemic safety problems unique to rebuilt vehicles and emphasized other crash causes such as impaired driving and speeding.

The committee heard extensive back-and-forth on implementation details: who would make the structural determination (insurer, repair shop, or both), whether a structurally totaled vehicle could ever be rebuilt and retitled for road use, and whether a structural category should instead mean “parts only.” Quick signaled he would work with stakeholders on amendment language. The hearing produced active testimony on both sides; no committee vote was recorded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ransportation & Telecommunications 02/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Sen. Dan Quick proposed a new “structurally totaled” salvage-title category for vehicles with major frame or structural damage whose repair costs exceed a high percentage of the vehicle’s value, prompting sharply divided testimony from auto-body shops and insurers.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NE, Nebraska","taxId",77675,"location","Nebraska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6335337,"Bill would clarify titles and sales-tax treatment for self-propelled farm equipment; bankers ask for lien-transition language",720,3947000,4667000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2289744-3e0695b9ee287db31f5a4a837472c666&start=3947&end=4667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2289744-3e0695b9ee287db31f5a4a837472c666/thumbnail_3947000.jpg","/articles/6335337/Nebraska/Bill-would-clarify-titles-and-sales-tax-treatment-for-self-propelled-farm-equipment-bankers-ask-for-lien-transition-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335337-146b568fcd213fd4ea116b1cc6a22a65/orig.mp4?Expires=1777126582&Signature=VoTiRYfBR50ESoCntsyiT8x5f5B6vD2lc2mBC4CoHhfZ9krYQdcIpg~qo71pU7nLOEcBKYEw3lZS-ehazya7E8NRFn4tUCh7zjre3YDFtF7FjXfM41VMlbHMl0hyLZ7-DWjTvAgQYtx8cg-LuxulqJcIcv0zfcTv4kD3ElBOs63srIguJYL3dVO2FAKHKmUEkbkcS8Z4ZbC5T0KqOGspeS7X4xXSG~ok~9wHwGWkUB3fH70Jb1diSvUx6oOngEDTCXh2r~uUx57t7lag9HDWt0CoLsB3lItGqQhsbdtCmsn~-k-1Eu~6nTaIm8jlFW75l6bwF2-HBg8-QHZBfJWzVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Dan McKeon introduced LB 490 to clarify that certain self-propelled agricultural equipment used exclusively off-road — examples cited included self-propelled feed trucks, fertilizer applicators and other implements of animal husbandry — may be issued certificates of title without triggering sales tax that would otherwise apply to titled motor vehicles.

“LB 4 90 clarifies any questions about which taxes are to be paid, allowed for the titles to be issued at the point of sale without paying sales tax for the equipment not used on the public roads,” Sen. McKeon said. He described recurring dealer complaints that purchasers of off-road, self-propelled agricultural equipment face inconsistent treatment at county treasurers’ offices and sometimes are required to pay sales tax even though the equipment is exempt as farm implements used exclusively off-road.

Jake Pullen of Nebraska Cattlemen and a representative of several agricultural groups told committee members that the statute’s definitions are clear about implements used in animal husbandry and other agricultural production, but county practice has not always followed that reading. “We believe that the current statutes are clear that feed trucks used exclusively on farm are not motor vehicles and should not be charged sales tax at the transfer of title,” Pullen said, urging passage of clarifying language.

Several proponents explained why a certificate of title is needed in practice even for off-road equipment: titles are used to record lien positions so banks can secure financing. The Nebraska Bankers Association appeared in a neutral position and asked the committee to add a transition provision modelled on a prior statutory transition (for recently titled ATVs/UTVs) so that financing statements filed under the Uniform Commercial Code continue to protect lienholders when an item becomes subject to title issuance.

No opponents testified at the hearing. Senator McKeon said he would accept the bankers’ amendment and asked the committee to advance the bill with that change. The committee did not take a vote during the hearing.","Sen. Dan McKeon asked the committee to approve LB 490, a technical statutory change to permit titles for self-propelled agricultural equipment used exclusively off-road without triggering sales tax, addressing inconsistent county treasurer practice.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6335341,"Bill to allow electronic signatures on duplicate total-loss titles advances for discussion",293,3362000,3655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2289744-3e0695b9ee287db31f5a4a837472c666&start=3362&end=3655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2289744-3e0695b9ee287db31f5a4a837472c666/thumbnail_3362000.jpg","/articles/6335341/Nebraska/Bill-to-allow-electronic-signatures-on-duplicate-total-loss-titles-advances-for-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335341-cc918aaac82cecd859473f1493d33200/orig.mp4?Expires=1777126582&Signature=ZNZZ3kpJYP~65-fUzaQqwumMeY8PccxwyZ2KmXpXH5bpIJrZMuzc9c0yQ3BKs~Fxh8AyUO7pEfI4~OXwIgzthKv3-Cl5E5suzJJDn7bGUnURqUZUybTj5Je1b~uYHUaxUeBLOGlkQ7slZojGAamHg1Y-huvfYY~a44lvABXpzQ9NJh28EwaZzAVH8mAToC6NPg8ELEZHoB0irJIjcPvrlNGxqbCsgjb2lTNkdDiCMiAqaPF-WOMqSyicr~YOWH4WebP-H2Ol9C4NrQLqbimASzhIWIs0IjU-p5A4lMZ8gz3rz6Ld1u1txcX-O6friUjNUIdkzyvgSI68VNoOrXs1MA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Dixie Garecke introduced LB 225 to the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee to remove the notary requirement for duplicate title applications in the specific circumstance where an owner transfers title to an insurer after a total loss.

“LB 225 modernizes the title transfer process by removing the notary requirement for electronic signatures in specific circumstances,” Sen. Garecke said in opening remarks. The sponsor emphasized the change applies narrowly: when a vehicle is being transferred into an insurance company's name following a total loss.

Mark Bender of Copart, a company that sells total-loss vehicles for insurers, said the notary requirement creates delay and hardship for consumers whose vehicles are not drivable after a total loss. “Vehicle has a, a Nebraska vehicle has a total loss. And, the customer can't find their title… they have to order a duplicate title. In order to do that, they have to have the application notarized,” Bender said, explaining why paper notarization can stall settlements. He asked lawmakers to allow electronic signing as other motor-vehicle forms already allow.

Sen. Garecke and proponents noted the change aligns with national practice and with guidance from the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) supporting electronic signatures and recognized electronic authentication. Proponents said insurers remain financially responsible to indemnify legitimate owners and existing consumer protections would remain in place.

No opponents or neutral testifiers appeared at the hearing and the sponsor waived closing; the committee did not take a vote during the session. Supporters framed the bill as a narrow consumer-facing modernization that should reduce delay in paying settlements after a total loss while preserving verification safeguards.

The committee has not yet taken further action on LB 225.","LB 225 would remove a notary requirement for duplicate title applications when a vehicle is sold to an insurer after a total loss, supporters said it will speed settlements; no opponents appeared at the committee hearing.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6335347,"Lawmakers and transportation stakeholders spar over proposal to guarantee 70% of district highway revenue remain local",3710,795000,4505000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2289744-3e0695b9ee287db31f5a4a837472c666&start=795&end=4505","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2289744-3e0695b9ee287db31f5a4a837472c666/thumbnail_795000.jpg","/articles/6335347/Nebraska/Lawmakers-and-transportation-stakeholders-spar-over-proposal-to-guarantee-70-of-district-highway-revenue-remain-local","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335347-cfc7c76a4d29cd4bc756f6b8a0eefd9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1777126582&Signature=bZZ1C7TBvNKOP~A8VGcvS8FfSrMzx9QhkOj0v2uHWitPSaLg31xMYp4sATS5ITKUcfO-4qoZOBaLJ6tykd1vkns75Hvy7qb-vFJivNUIK95O9OpWQtqt~21Mds9xJcMw0YWXfUiVPWQPMctpYDMDZl5s3oXoiiQpesPOmsdsy8AfiMZMvYd5Pu7SxwF5-Gje0uGgPkbf2IFjMgLAXv~rgqqNJd1Q1Eo1f6dnnlzuXFa5PpTcKJCaXoJrB3Z9-mSHllUcga4PeH1zv~pAQcvshuKFHfJXR2G0t~lq6Wa~RQetkmMdqzN7riu6Mq75E0dNMX3WiHNOKjlfk95p7IHZgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. John Frederickson told the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee that LB 449 would change how Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) dollars are allocated by guaranteeing that no less than 70% of highway revenue raised in each state highway district be spent on projects within that district.

“LB 449 makes a simple but impactful change to the way funds are allocated to projects through the Nebraska Department of Transportation,” Frederickson said. He argued the Omaha metro (NDOT District 2) contributes a disproportionate share of highway revenue — he said the district contributes “around 40%” of certain trust-fund revenues but historically receives about 10–13% back — and that a 70% floor would return more revenue to fast-growing urban districts for congestion, safety and major projects such as the East Beltway.

Supporters — including the city engineer for Omaha, several chambers of commerce, and local elected officials and county commissioners — told the committee District 2 has high traffic counts, growing preservation and expansion needs, and local investments that would leverage state funds. Austin Rouser, Omaha’s city engineer, said NDOT’s traffic-count average for District 2 is “14,000 vehicle vehicles per day on average,” and he said the city currently receives about $700,000 annually for resurfacing state highways within Omaha’s limits while estimating $2.5–3 million would be needed annually to maintain those segments on a 12–14 year resurfacing cycle.

Sarpy County Commissioner Don Kelly described a $90 million local Connect Sarpy investment that his county says generated substantial local development and tax revenue and asked for more state participation on planned expressway projects. “There is an immediate need and potential for a large return on investment of dollars that in District 2 on road and bridge infrastructure,” Kelly said.

Opponents — NDOT, the Associated General Contractors (AGC), Associated General Contractors Nebraska chapter, ACEC Nebraska, and the state’s largest insurance and contractor trade groups — said the bill would interfere with NDOT’s statutory responsibility to manage the state highway network as a system and would force districts to spend their revenue even when preservation of the network elsewhere yields greater overall value. NDOT Director Vicky Kramer told senators the department prioritizes preservation because maintaining roads in good condition is more cost effective than allowing deterioration. Kramer also said the department does not have a revenue-collection system to calculate where motor-fuel taxes are purchased, because fuel taxes are collected at the distributor level by the Department of Revenue.

“LB 449 seeks to impact how Nebraska invests in our highway system through a prescriptive process that is not capable of being implemented within current revenue collecting processes,” Kramer said. She warned a 70% rule would “be detrimental to the department's ability to manage this entire system by requiring what we anticipate to be the majority of revenue to be spent in the most populous counties such as Douglas and Lancaster.” Kramer told the committee NDOT’s needs assessment shows roughly $120–150 million in annual shortfall statewide.

Construction-industry witnesses urged growing the overall funding pie rather than prescribing a percent-of-origin allocation, with AGC representatives and contractors noting rural miles and heavy freight use impose needs that population metrics don’t capture. “When we fail to invest equitably in preservation and capital improvements, we're effectively sidelining the needs of many Nebraskans and jeopardizing their safety and well-being,” Katie Wilson of AGC Nebraska testified in opposition.

Committee members pressed both sides on data: sponsors and proponents asked for clearer accounting showing where fuel taxes and vehicle registration revenue are collected and how that maps to travel patterns and truck traffic; opponents and NDOT cautioned that collections are not presently traceable to individual gas stations or motorists. Several senators noted the conversation raised broader revenue questions and asked whether the Build Nebraska Act or other sources should be increased rather than reallocating current funds.

The hearing produced robust debate but no committee action. Frederickson said he wanted to start a conversation and signaled willingness to continue meetings with NDOT and stakeholders; NDOT opposed the bill as introduced and provided analysis showing winners and losers under a 70% allocation scenario. The committee did not vote on LB 449 during the hearing.","Sen. John Frederickson introduced LB 449 to require at least 70% of highway revenue raised in each NDOT district be spent in that district; NDOT, contractors and engineering groups warned the requirement would hamstring statewide asset preservation and worsen rural shortfalls.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6335351,"Committee hears proposal to add broadband to critical-infrastructure criminal protections",605,165000,770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2289744-3e0695b9ee287db31f5a4a837472c666&start=165&end=770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2289744-3e0695b9ee287db31f5a4a837472c666/thumbnail_165000.jpg","/articles/6335351/Nebraska/Committee-hears-proposal-to-add-broadband-to-critical-infrastructure-criminal-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335351-2f39a9780d4ac51e66425995e4e6b4b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1777126582&Signature=WFgtVbw8GrxyghJjwiqwqN2VzXGvcydhGA9UyxsW56Uh3A5j0Q7Y06sZdIM313Rn6BBU1QkrQ2-tQ1uMDJuGhi9F45Hw2FkNJHxO19LAXqxRBr4HNqlUcLQO~K4B6RUU0HkgrvRad4BX0EDU97d1ZvyKp0qqgtAZwnK99-SrQvvMneizSBRhJgBYptkCX9tTfM0BE7gyJrDglRvs1rYgM-q-cbeI5xGhmxAeV~D6l7Q0VsqMPornhdR3k-xEO3H4lo0Ox--39vwqxHF5QrN2UufNnojSTteV7fAwlR5d8qZ8KJsBplqD2WQzYi4PyvzcZQx3hVFH~xGcFlkdNkMNWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LB 191 would add broadband and communications infrastructure to the state statute that makes willful and malicious damage to critical infrastructure a criminal offense, the bill’s introducer told the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee at an afternoon hearing.

The measure is intended to reduce disruptive service outages caused by vandalism and theft, sponsor Sen. Carolyn Bosn (introduced as Carolyn Bosn) said, and supporters from telecommunications companies and trade groups urged lawmakers to act. The committee heard proponents describe rising incidents of theft and vandalism nationwide and in Nebraska.

Sen. Carolyn Bosn, sponsor of LB 191, told the committee: “LB 191 includes broadband and communications infrastructure in the section of law, which protects other critical infrastructure from willful and malicious damage, thereby affording them the same protections as we have to other critical infrastructure in the state.” The senator said Nebraska has invested “hundreds of millions of dollars through the Nebraska Broadband Bridge” and that outages can disrupt schoolwork, small business operations and emergency services.

Tip O’Neil, president of the Nebraska Telecommunications Association, told the committee the issue is national as well as local and referenced a paper by former FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly recommending both stronger federal penalties and state protections for communications facilities. “Commissioner O’Reilly concludes his paper with the following recommendations,” O’Neil said, summarizing the memo and adding that the association supports LB 191.

Dayton Murty, senior manager of government affairs for Charter Communications (Spectrum), said the company serves about 156,000 Nebraskans and detailed industry figures on theft and vandalism. “In Nebraska, telecommunications, railroad, and power companies already have special protections under the current law, and this bill just extends those same protections to broadband and communication networks,” Murty said.

Committee questions focused on intent and penalties. Sen. Tom Brandt asked whether the statute targets intentional acts rather than accidental or incidental damage; Bosn answered that the language is meant for willful and malicious conduct. Brandt also asked about the existing criminal penalties in Neb. Rev. Stat. §28-5-19; Bosn and other senators discussed that criminal-mischief penalties scale by dollar amount of damage, with misdemeanors and felonies depending on thresholds.

Supporters noted a pending technical amendment: the wireless industry submitted suggested language to also include wireless infrastructure sites; Bosn said the amendment was requested and was under drafting but not yet filed. No opponents appeared at the hearing and the sponsor waived closing, ending the hearing with proponent testimony on the record.

The committee did not vote on LB 191 during the hearing; the measure will be available for further committee action only if members request it or if the sponsor files amendment language and asks for advancement at a later date.

Less critical details: testimony cited both federal and state examples, and proponents recommended coordination between law enforcement and scrap dealers to reduce copper theft that sometimes damages fiber and other equipment.","A bill to extend existing criminal-mischief protections to broadband and communications infrastructure drew unanimous proponent testimony and questions about penalties and an amendment to include wireless sites.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill would brand vehicles with major frame damage as structurally totaled; insurers and trade groups raise concerns

Bill would clarify titles and sales-tax treatment for self-propelled farm equipment; bankers ask for lien-transition language

Bill to allow electronic signatures on duplicate total-loss titles advances for discussion

Lawmakers and transportation stakeholders spar over proposal to guarantee 70% of district highway revenue remain local

Committee hears proposal to add broadband to critical-infrastructure criminal protections