Only four state senators Tuesday voted against Senator John Harms priority bill, which would have new school buses outfitted with seat belts beginning in 2010. Harms told his colleagues there were 113 school bus accidents in Nebraska in 2006, and a lack of belts is endangering child safety.

Senator Norm Wallman of Cortland was in the minority, citing bus drivers' concerns that it would be next to impossible to make sure all students are buckled in. Cortland also contends if a bus has to be evacuated in an emergency like a fire, students could be trapped in their seats and not be able to get out.

Harms says his bill gets ahead of proposed federal regulations requiring a lap belt, a shoulder belt or any combination depending on the size and type of bus Harms believes school districts will be able to adjust to the extra cost for adding seat belts to new buses, which could amount to $10,000 per vehicle according to some transportation experts.