LINCOLN — Nebraska motorcyclists should learn today whether they have any chance of doffing their helmets this summer.
State lawmakers could vote before noon on a bill that would repeal the state’s mandatory helmet law.
But first they might have to break a filibuster led by State Sens. Steve Lathrop of Omaha and Bill Avery of Lincoln.
That could be a difficult hurdle to overcome. It takes 33 votes to cut off debate.
State Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont, who introduced Legislative Bill 200, said late Wednesday he was working on getting the votes to end debate. He predicted it would be a close vote.
Earlier in the day, Janssen continued trying to find a compromise that would win votes.
He offered an amendment that would allow motorcycle riders age 21 and older to go without helmets if they have at least $1 million worth of health insurance coverage.
The coverage would not be required for riders who wear helmets, under the proposal. A previous proposal would have required all riders to carry such insurance.
Under his latest amendment, younger riders would still have to wear helmets, and all riders and passengers would have to wear eye protection.
It also has a sunset provision under which the helmet requirement would go into effect again after five years.
Sen. Tony Fulton of Lincoln said he was willing to consider the latest version of the bill. He has opposed the repeal because of the possibility that society would bear the cost for a greater number of injured riders.
Other speakers appeared to be little swayed by Janssen’s latest offering.
Sen. Tom Carlson of Holdrege said injured riders would raise health premiums for other people in the same insurance group.
“I don’t want to pay for your foolishness of not wearing a helmet,” he said.
Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh of Omaha said the issue was one of freedom, personal choice and the tyranny of the majority.
“If you’re willing to step into this and trample on the rights of this minority, whose rights will you trample next?” he asked.
Contact the writer:
402-473-9583, martha.stoddard@owh.com
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.
