LINCOLN- Nebraska lawmakers are just one step away from repealing the state's mandated motorcycle helmets after advancing a long-sought proposal in the form of an amendment on Wednesday. During the debate of Sen. Bosn's LB138, a bill related to the DMV, Sen. Ben Hansen, who originally introduced the same motorcycle mandate proposal in LB91, was able to amend it into the bill on a 30-5 vote, despite concerns.

According to Hansen, such a proposal has been put forth and failed several times throughout the years. "There's actually a coveted helmet that gets passed around to each senator who introduces it," said Hansen after the adoption of the amendment, "So now, I'm such with it, I guess." Hansen's amendment, however, differs from other states who repealed the same mandate, and requires the completion of a DMV-approved basic motorcycle safety course. Similarly, the amendment would require motorcyclists seeking to ride without a helmet to be over the age of twenty-one.

Despite garnering 30 votes, not all senators were on board with the proposal. Sens. Bostelman, Moser, Riepe, Blood, and Hunt all voiced their opposition. Riepe, a former hospital administrator, told his colleagues during the debate that he's seen the harm of motorcycle-involved crashes, as well as what they can cost taxpayers in Medicaid payments. Others, including Hansen, argued that it's an issue of personal freedom. "Your decision to wear a helmet or not wear a helmet does not affect anybody else's civil liberties," said Hansen.

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