8/19/08-Sen. John Harms of Scottsbluff said he is planning to introduce a bill during the 2009 regular session to permit police to pull over drivers in the state for not wearing their seat belts. Currently, law enforcement in the state can issue seat-belt citations to drivers only after stopping a vehicle for another violation, such as speeding.
Opponents cite personal choice and the potential for racial profiling among the concerns about the stricter enforcement effort. Supporters say saving lives and the lure of federal money should be reason enough to approve the stricter rule.
The unwillingness by lawmakers to adopt the primary enforcement rule puts the state in jeopardy of missing out on $7.4 million in federal funding for roads and bridges.
The 2005 federal highway funding legislation gives any state that adopts tougher seat-belt rules one-time grant money. The last chance for states to upgrade their seat belt law and access extra federal funding is Sept. 30, 2009.
All legislation in the state can be considered during the legislative session that begins Jan. 7, 2009.