Welcome to Unicam Season.

Ardent sports fans are known to mark their calendars with the Opening Day of their favorite season. Here at Bike Walk Nebraska, we enthusiastically await the “Unicam Season” opening, when state senators report for the new legislative session and begin introducing their bills. 

This year, 715 bills were introduced in the allotted 10-day window, and we’ve reviewed them, flagging any pertaining to safe and accessible active transportation in Nebraska. 

As always, we cannot do our advocacy work without your help. In the coming weeks, we will need your letters of support, phone calls, personal testimonies, and, this year, attendance at our Lobby Day, where you can talk face-to-face with your state legislator. 

Of course, we have details for all the bills we monitor and how they pertain to active transportation, for those wanting to take a deep dive here. 

In the meantime, read on for a general overview of what we’re following. We’ve packaged some things together to make it easier to digest.

The Safety Package

Our priority is safety. Data shows the state is statistically moving backward, with a 122% increase in cyclist fatalities and a 14% increase in pedestrian fatalities in 2024. According to the Nebraska Department of Transportation, in 2023, Nebraska experienced 519 fatal and serious injury crashes attributable to speeding and 3,405 crashes involving distracted driving. 

Additionally, we continue to see a lack of justice when vulnerable road users are killed or seriously injured on our roads. 

LB 530 (Co-Sponsor & Proponent):

Would create a formal definition for 'Vulnerable Road User' within state statute and fortify sentencing options for drivers responsible for injuring or killing vulnerable road users.  Additionally, this bill enhances the existing 3-foot passing law to include the requirement for drivers to "change lanes to pass" when possible, and would increase fines for excessive speeding. 

LB 616 and LB 600 (Proponent): 

Would authorize the use of automated cameras for speed enforcement in school and work zones and for enforcement of drivers who run red lights in designated, well-marked places. 

LB 594 (Proponent):

Would require all drivers to use hands-free technology while operating a motor vehicle. It changes the use of a handheld device (smartphone) from a secondary to a primary offense, meaning you can be pulled over for having your phone in hand while driving. 

LB 73 (Opponent): 

Would allow for a decrease in the required hours of continued education for law enforcement.

In our work, we commonly come across cases where an officer's lack of knowledge about vulnerable road user laws is a detriment to the victims. 

The Progress Package

If you’ve ever heard me give a presentation, you’ve likely heard me preach that “it’s all about the process.” If we get the process right, good outcomes and progress usually follow. Here are bills with the potential to either support or deter progress for active transportation in the state. 

LB 18 (Proponent): 

It would require the installation of wireless utility poles to meet ADA requirements. 

LB 23 (Proponent) 

Would authorize the Department of Economic Development to develop a grant process for nonprofit bike share operators in Nebraska. 

LB 628 (Proponent): A Property Tax Exemption for Land Owners Providing Easements for Trails

It would create a property tax exemption for landowners, municipalities, counties, accredited land trusts, and nonprofit organizations that provide recreational trail easement on their property of ten cents per square foot.

 LB 449 (Opponent): Eliminates Established Priority of Preservation & Regionalizes Revenue 

It would eliminate language about priorities for the Nebraska Department of Transportation projects and change how funds are distributed for transportation projects.

LB 662 (Opponent) Provide a federal funding inventory from each state agency and restrict maintenance-of-effort requirements.

It would require state entities to get legislative approval for grants/funds for projects that require ongoing maintenance or regulation.
 

State Budget 

As an odd-numbered/long session year, the biennium state budget is being developed. We will closely monitor this process between the Governor and the Appropriations Committee.

Stay tuned to our social media and your inbox for opportunities to weigh in with your state senator. Much more to come as the season goes along!