On January 5, 2023, Nebraska state senator Ben Hansen introduced Legislative Bill 91 to the 108th Nebraska state legislature. If enacted as written, this bill would repeal the state’s current existing requirement that all motorcycle riders wear helmets for certain riders. (Some crucial context: Nebraska is unique among U.S. states in that it has a unicameral legislature, and does not have two separate houses through which bills must individually pass.)
The text of this bill amends the existing Nebraska state helmet law to say that riders must either wear a helmet that meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218, 49 C.F.R. 571.218 as it pertains to motorcycle helmets, unless they fulfill two conditions. One, they must be 21 years of age or older. Two, they must have passed a Motorcycle Safety Foundation or similar approved basic rider course.
