Section 405(b) occupant protection grant (23 C.F.R. § 1300.21; 23 U.S.C. § 405(b)) ― grant to support certain costs of state occupant protection programs consistent with 23 C.F.R. § 1300.21(f)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the State of Nebraska $476,909.51 under the National Priority Safety Programs formula grant (CFDA 20.616) on October 1, 2025, to support occupant protection programs through Section 405(b) funding.

The award funds state occupant protection initiatives, including countermeasure strategies and projects designed to reduce motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities. Eligibility and funding are determined by the state's seat belt use category (high or low), with funds apportioned using statutory formula. The State of Nebraska receives the funding through its highway safety office and implements projects identified in its approved triennial highway safety plan and annual grant application that address occupant protection priorities.

Performance of work occurs in Lincoln, Nebraska, with a period of performance from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2029. The assistance is structured as a formula grant, with federal reimbursement provided on claims submitted in vouchers for incurred costs. The state must retain project records, contracts, financial documents, and supporting materials for three years following submission of a final expenditure report.

Section 405(b) funding is available to qualifying states that meet statutory requirements for a high or low seat belt use categories. These funds are apportioned using statutory apportionment formula. These funds are provided to the state and territorial highway safety offices based on an approved triennial highway safety plan that details problem identification, public participation and engagement, performance measures, countermeasure strategies for programming funds and an approved annual grant application that details planned projects using identified countermeasure strategies for programming funds to help reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities resulting from motor vehicle crashes.