Nebraska's Department of Roads says cities and counties may not have the authority to ban loud engine compression brakes on trucks on Interstates.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that Omaha and Cass County have passed measures to ban the brakes, which make a loud rapping sound if not properly muffled. Cass County outlawed the use of the brakes between 9 p.m .and 6 a.m. at the new Interstate 80 weigh stations between Waverly and Greenwood. Omaha banned the brakes on Interstates within the city limits.
They are just the latest to do so; about one-third of Nebraska's cities and villages have outlawed the use of engine brakes.
Both the Cass County Board and the Omaha City Council passed the measures under Legislative Bill 1361, a 2000 law that allows cities and counties to ban the brakes where the Interstate grade is less than 5 degrees. But the Roads Department says LB1361 contradicts an older law giving it responsibility for operating the Interstates, according to the paper.
Officials say they will ask the Legislature's Transportation and Telecommunications Committee to review the issue. A new bill may be needed to solve the conflict.
The Nebraska Trucking Assn. told the World-Herald they have no problems with anti-engine brake laws, as long as they don't prevent their use on steep hills.