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LB 471

Prohibit certain restrictions by state agencies, state entities, counties, cities, and villages relating to the energy source of motor vehicles and prohibit certain actions of the Department of Environment and Energy related to vehicle emission standards

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dan McKeon

LB 471 bans state/local vehicle-energy restrictions and blocks DEE from seeking stricter-than-EPA emission waivers, keeping Nebraska's rules neutral on energy sources.

Title printed. Carryover bill
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LB 471

Summary: Legislative Bill LB 471 (Nebraska, 2025)

Overview

LB 471, introduced January 21, 2025 by Senator Dan McKeon (Committee: Natural Resources), seeks to limit how government bodies at state and local levels may regulate vehicle energy sources. The bill would prohibit restrictions tied to the energy source powering motor vehicles and would bar the Department of Environment and Energy (DEE) from seeking federal waivers to impose vehicle emission standards more stringent than those required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A hearing is scheduled for February 19, 2025; the bill has been referred to the Natural Resources Committee.

Key Provisions

  • Sec. 1: State agencies and other state entities may not restrict the use, purchase, or sale of any motor vehicle (as defined in section 39-101) based on the energy source used to power any component or function of the vehicle. This includes propulsion energy and other powering functions.
  • Sec. 2: Counties, cities, and villages may not restrict the use, purchase, or sale of any motor vehicle based on the energy source powering any component or function of the vehicle.
  • Sec. 3: The Department of Environment and Energy shall not seek, or cause to be sought, any waiver from the federal Clean Air Act to enact more stringent vehicle emission standards than those required by the EPA.

Affected Parties

  • State entities and state agencies
  • Counties, municipalities (cities and villages)
  • Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (DEE)
  • General public and motor vehicle buyers/sellers in Nebraska (through preemption of local regulatory restrictions)

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: January 21, 2025
  • Referred to: Natural Resources Committee (January 23, 2025)
  • Hearing: February 19, 2025 (Notice of hearing issued February 12, 2025)
  • Status: Notice of hearing for February 19, 2025

Legislative Intent and Context

The introducer’s statement of intent highlights an aim to prevent government restrictions based on fuel type, using California’s 2035 gas-powered vehicle ban as an illustrative example. The bill’s sponsors emphasize limiting local prohibitions on vehicle energy sources and restricting the DEE from pursuing stricter-than-federal emission standards.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Local regulatory flexibility: The measure would preempt local governments from enacting restrictions related to vehicle energy sources (e.g., prohibiting sale or purchase of certain energy-source vehicles) in Nebraska.
  • State regulatory landscape: By limiting DEE’s ability to seek waivers for stricter emission standards, the bill could maintain a more permissive state stance relative to national emission standards.
  • Consumer choice and market effects: If enacted,Nebraska would likely see fewer local-movements restricting certain vehicle energy sources, potentially affecting the pace of electrification or other alternative-fuel vehicle adoption at the local level.
  • Intergovernmental dynamics: The bill creates a uniform standard across state and local governments, potentially reducing variability in vehicle energy-source policies.

Notes: The excerpt references a California law as an example but does not adopt any California provision; NL 471 itself sets Nebraska-specific prohibitions as described above.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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