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LINCOLN — This year’s effort to repeal Nebraska’s motorcycle helmet law stalled out Wednesday in the Legislature.
The next few weeks will determine whether the bill can be restarted.
Roger Brodersen of Herman, one of those pushing for the right to ride helmetless, said he remains optimistic about the chances of Legislative Bill 200. Brodersen is involved with the American Legion Riders.
“I think all the real information is in favor of repeal,” he said. “All the rest is BS.”
But State Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha expressed doubts that repeal backers can find a way to resolve concerns about the cost to society for injured riders.
If LB 200 died, it would mark the fourth time that helmet law repeal hit a brick wall after reaching the full Legislature.
With the support of the bill’s introducer, senators voted Wednesday to put off further debate on the bill until Tuesday.
Speaker of the Legislature Mike Flood said, however, he will decide whether to schedule the bill again this year. He said he would bring it back only if a senator prioritizes the measure.
Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont, the bill’s chief sponsor, said he would name LB 200 as a priority if questions about insurance coverage can be worked out.
Janssen has proposed an amendment to the legislation that would require motorcyclists to carry $1 million worth of medical coverage as part of their vehicle insurance.
The proposal was his answer to those who say helmets should be required because society pays for injured motorcyclists. But several senators Wednesday questioned whether such coverage was available and whether the costs would be reasonable.
Janssen agreed to the postponement so repeal supporters can address those concerns and attempt to work out a solution.
If they can’t be worked out, Janssen said, the bill would not have enough support to advance.
Similar questions sank an amendment offered by Sen. Colby Coash of Lincoln that also would have required riders to carry long-term care insurance.
Lawmakers approved the Coash amendment Tuesday, then reconsidered and removed it Wednesday.
Coash supported the reconsideration, saying he found out that people might not be able to get the coverage, at least not at a reasonable cost.
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