(AP) — Truckers who spill manure would face a minimum $250 fine if a bill advanced by the Nebraska Legislature becomes law.

Lawmakers gave the measure first-round approval on Tuesday with a 37-4 vote.

Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha introduced the bill last year to increase the fine from its current $100. Mello says the cost of a truck wash is cheaper than the fine, encouraging some bad actors to dump the contents of their trucks.

Mello says Omaha has seen 42 documented manure spills between August 2009 and October 2010, most of which were near the meatpacking plants in his south Omaha district.

Sen. Tyson Larson of O’Neill says the fine increase was excessive, and suggested that judges could use their discretion for bad actors.