Nebraskans could use license plates to show their diverse allegiances beginning in 2011. The Legislature on Thursday gave first-round approval to a bill (LB-110) from Sen. Deb Fischer that would allow drivers to get specialized plates for $70 apiece.

Similar measures were repeatedly crushed by Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha before term limits forced him out of the Capitol this year.

The bill would make it relatively hard for a group to have its name on plates. At least 500 people would have to prepay the Department of Motor Vehicles for a specialty plate to be made. Eighty-five percent of revenue from the sale of the plates would go toward road construction.