I am legal counsel for the Transportation & Telecommunications Committee, the legislative committee that held a public hearing for LB 688. During the introduction of the bill, Senator Wightman stated that the 6 hour provision was a mistake and was meant to read 30 days. Senator Wightman offered an amendment to the committee to correct this error. During Senator Wightman's testimony, he indicated the bill was introduced at the request of Gothenburg city officials who have had trouble disposing of abandoned motor vehicles and boats in and around the city.

The committee has not taken any action on the bill to date, but if it so chooses to, the error will be reflected in the committee amendment.

The 30 days is consistent with current Nebraska law. Section 60-362 expressly states that no motor vehicle shall be operated or parked on the highways of this state unless the motor vehicle is registered. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that any motor vehicle stored and kept more than 30 days in the state is being operated or parked on the highways of this state. If you have a question whether your vehicle needs to be titled or registered and at what point in time, I would suggest calling the Nebraska DMV.

Dusty Vaughan
Legal Counsel, Transportation & Telecomm Comm.