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The sponsor of a bill to allow "Choose Life" license plates in Nebraska pulled his measure Monday after opponents tried to swap it for language creating "Black Lives Matter" or "Love Your Mother" plates instead.

Another lawmaker had proposed using the bill to halt production of the state's new standard license plate, which officials now plan to replace anyway because it featured an image associated with Michigan State University instead of Nebraska's iconic Capitol Sower.

Sen. Tommy Garrett of Bellevue said the amendments undermined support for his bill, which is backed by abortion opponents.

The measure was signed by a filibuster-proof 33 senators. However, opponents could have effectively killed the bill by extending debate beyond two hours, a deadline created by Speaker Galen Hadley as time runs out in the legislative session.

Garrett said Monday he agreed to pull the bill (LB768) "in the spirit of this late hour."