A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for northeastern Platte County in Nebraska until 7:15 p.m. Sunday.
Drivers in Nebraska will soon face stiffer penalties for failure to stop for a school bus that is loading or unloading passengers. That is one of more than 160 new laws that went into effect Thursday in Nebraska.
Nebraska has also loosened its sales tax limit on cities, has started allowing counties to fight black-tailed prairie dogs and has restored prenatal care coverage to illegal immigrants.
As of Thursday, if a driver fails to stop for a school bus that is loading or unloading passengers, there is a mandatory $500 fine and a loss of three operator’s license points if convicted.
Prior to the passage of LB 1039, introduced by State Sen. Lydia Brasch of Bancroft, the minimum fine could have been as low as $100 and a loss of only one point.
New laws generally take effect three months after the Legislature adjourns for the year, unless lawmakers specify a different date. State senators approved 246 new pieces of legislation during this year's 60-day session. In 2011, they approved 269 bills.
