UNICAMERAL UPDATE News published daily at Update.Legislature.ne.gov Vol. 44, Issue 8 / Feb. 23 - 26, 2021 Bill seeks to protect Second Amendment tate and local of- ficials in Nebraska Swould be limited in their ability to enforce federal firearm regula- tions under a bill con- sidered Feb. 24 by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. LB188, introduced by Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings, would prohibit any state or political sub- division employee from enforcing any federal law regulating a firearm, firearm accessory or ammunition unless the Sen. Steve Halloran said LB188 is necessary to protect Nebraskans’ right to bear arms. measure also is codified in state law. subdivision that adopts an ordinance issuing concealed carry permits or An individual in violation of the in violation of the bill would be ineli- implementing the National Instant bill’s provisions would be subject to a gible to receive state grant funds for Criminal Background Check System, fine of up to $3,000 for a first offense one fiscal year. but it would prevent the federal and a Class I misdemeanor for second Halloran said the bill would not government from “commandeering” or subsequent offenses. A political prevent Nebraska state troopers from (continued page 2) Statewide farm-to-school program proposed Nebraska farm-to-school program would provide campaign and build a communication network that links locally grown and minimally processed food to farmers and schools. A elementary and secondary school students under a Coordinators also would encourage schools to develop proposal considered Feb. 23 by the Education Committee. and improve their nutrition plans using locally grown or LB396, introduced by Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, processed food and provide technical assistance to school would require the state Department food services staff, farmers, processors and distributors of Education to hire a coordinator to regarding the demand for and availability of Nebraska administer the program, which also food products. could provide students with hands-on Brandt said a statewide farm-to-school program would learning activities, such as farm visits, benefit local producers, improve the quality and quantity cooking demonstrations and school of local food served in Nebraska schools and teach students gardening and composting programs. where their food comes from and how it is made. The coordinator would partner with Sen. Tom Brandt “By providing a stable, reliable market for local pro- public agencies and nonprofits on a public engagement (continued page 3)

INSIDE: Military friendly school designation proposed • Meet Sen. John Cavanuagh • Hearing schedule February 23 - 26, 2021

Bill seeks to protect Second Amendment (continued from front page) Nebraska officials to enforce federal declare that we won’t comply.” body is above the law, not even the gun laws. Judy King of Lincoln testified in state of Nebraska,” King said. “By “This does not negate any actions opposition on behalf of Nebraskans introducing this bill you are show- that are against the law now, as long as Against Gun Violence. She said the ing that you stand with those groups [the federal government] is not trying bill was rooted in the same movement that tried to take our country over on to force our law enforcement officers that led to the riot at the U.S. Capitol January 6.” … to enforce a law that isn’t governed in January. The committee took no immediate by our state law,” Halloran said. “We are a nation of laws and no- action on LB188. n Anthony Arnold of Ashland testi- fied in support of the bill. He said Americans are in danger of losing their right to bear arms and that the measure would ease those concerns. “LB188 removes the ability of state-aided enforcement for hastily signed, overreaching executive orders and federal laws that do not reflect our values, our constitution and our heritage as Nebraskans,” Arnold said. Patricia Harrold, President of the Nebraska Firearms Owners Associa- tion, also supported the bill. She said it is the duty of individuals to resist gun restrictions. “It is publicly known than our rights are a target of opportunity for an unconstitutional agenda by many in the federal government,” Harrold said. “We must stand together and UNICAMERAL UPDATE

The Unicameral Update is a free, weekly newsletter published during the legislative session. It is produced by the Clerk of the Legislature’s Office through the Unicameral Information Office. For print subscriptions, call 402-471-2788 or email [email protected]. Visit us online at Update.Legislature.ne.gov, twitter.com/UnicamUpdate and facebook.com/UnicameralUpdate.

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THE NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE’S OFFICIAL NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1977

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Statewide farm-to-school program proposed (continued from front page) duce,” he said, “farm-to-school enables cal farms prevents some large, urban school kids and families by introduc- Nebraska communities to start recap- school districts from participating ing them to agriculture through more turing a portion of the 90 percent of more fully in current farm-to-school direct interaction with farmers and our school food dollars that are cur- programs. A statewide coordinator ranchers.” rently leaving the state.” would address that problem, Urban Also in support was Nathan Bea- Sarah Smith, local foods consultant said. com of the Center for Rural Affairs. and fresh fruit and vegetable program “We especially appreciate that this Approximately 30 percent of Nebraska coordinator at the state Department of bill promotes a farm-to-school model schools participate in current farm- Education, testified in support of the in both an economic and educational to-school programs, he said, but they bill on the department’s behalf. She package that can be maximized in spend less than 20 percent of their said the department’s current farm-to- school districts and communities all food budgets on locally grown food. school programs are limited and that a across Nebraska,” he said. Beacom suggested that LB396 statewide network would provide the Joan Ruskamp, who farms and could increase that amount if it also structure needed to help more schools feeds cattle with her husband near required the coordinator to study food and farmers navigate the complex food Dodge, also testified in support. For supply chain obstacles. procurement system. the past 15 years, she said, they have “With more streamlined distribu- “Nebraska can lead the nation in held tours for students at their farm tion, consistent supply and processing community health and well-being,” as part of a Nebraska Farm Bureau that could extend the life of foods, the Smith said, “celebrating our agricul- program. Ruskamp said LB396 would price point for local foods could be tural heritage and cultural diversity, introduce more students to the people lowered,” he said, “thereby making it with farm-to-school as the vehicle.” who raise and grow their food and easier for schools to purchase greater Marcus Urban testified in support show them the variety of career op- quantities of produce locally.” of the bill on behalf of seven agricul- portunities in agriculture. No one testified in opposition to tural organizations. He said the lack “In addition to providing a healthy the bill and the committee took no of direct and consistent access to lo- diet,” she said, “we can benefit our immediate action on it. n

Economic forecasting board raises revenue projections n its final meeting before debate begins on the state budget, the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory IBoard voted Feb. 26 to raise revenue projections. The board provides an advisory forecast of general fund receipts that the Legislature uses to craft the state’s budget. Revenue projections for the current fiscal year were raised by $204 million to $5.49 billion. The adjustment was based on anticipated increases of $95 million in in- dividual income tax receipts, $65 million in sales and use tax receipts, $40 million in corporate tax receipts and $4 million in miscellaneous taxes. Total projected revenue receipts for FY2021-22 were raised to $5.08 billion, an increase of $165 million. The FY2022-23 projections increased by $93 million. The next meeting of the board is set for April 29. n

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 3 February 23 - 26, 2021 Meet the Senator Cavanaugh looks for new ways to serve en. John Cavanaugh is an Omaha kid, through and large families who still call Omaha home. through. Number five of eight children born to John The couple and their four children are particularly fond Sand Kate Cavanaugh, he currently represents the of exploring Fontanelle Forest, Joslyn Castle, Durham Mu- same legislative district that his father represented from seum and the Omaha Children’s Museum. Unfortunately, 1972 to 1976. the weekly big family dinners For a guy born and raised full of grandparents, aunts, in Omaha, who grew up cheer- uncles and cousins are on hold ing for the Creighton Bluejays, for now due to the pandemic. attending law school at Creigh- “That’s the reason we wanted ton University seemed like a to be in Omaha and had our foregone conclusion. Living and kids here. We wanted them to working in Omaha and building be able to spend that time with his family there was always in their grandparents and cous- the plan. ins,” he said. So after graduating from His election to the Legisla- Creighton Preparatory School ture — joining his sister, Omaha and Catholic University in Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh — is Washington, D.C., he returned his first foray into elected office, home to the inevitable next although his work as a public step. But an algorithm landed defender in Douglas County has Cavanaugh in South Royalton, more than prepared him for a Vermont instead, much to his life of public service. surprise. “The people who become “I thought I was going to public defenders and do it Creighton. And then I took an for any length of time do it online survey that said I was a because they truly believe that 100 percent match for Vermont every person deserves adequate Law School,” Cavanaugh said. representation and deserves to “And I said ‘that’s ridiculous.’” have their rights protected,” John, Sr. — a Creighton Law Cavanaugh said. School graduate himself — en- Advocating on behalf of oth- couraged Cavanaugh to get in ers — whether it be in the court touch with his former law school room or the legislative chamber classmate Pat, an instructor at — can be hard work, he said, Vermont Law School. It was that but remembering his guiding conversation and a subsequent purpose makes the workload a visit to the picturesque campus little lighter. that sealed the deal. Having his “I think it would be hard to new wife, Kakie McGill, close by Sen. John Cavanaugh with his wife, Kakie, and their children imagine a better training ground at Dartmouth certainly helped. Evelyn, Jack, Lucy and William. for public service like this than After graduating from “the most beautiful law school being a public defender, because it really is about advocacy in the world,” Cavanaugh and McGill briefly settled in for the best ideas, regardless of your personal feelings,” he Washington, D.C. before returning to Omaha to marry, said. “I’m always going to try to pursue what I think is the begin their careers and start their family. Both come from best public policy.” n

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American Indians and our staff — who if every day they lose money,” Dorn are all Nebraskans — is paramount to said. “We have a choice to make: to providing long-term preventive health continue to invest in a very important care and minimizing the cost of health system of care that has a proven track Funding proposed for tribal care that comes from lack of access and record or fall back into complacency health center neglect,” he said. that we have done enough.” Judi gaiashkibos, executive direc- Pat Connell, speaking on behalf of The Appropriations Committee tor of the Nebraska Commission on the Nebraska Child Health and Edu- heard testimony Feb. 25 on a bill Indian Affairs, also spoke in support. cation Alliance, testified in support of seeking funding for one of the state’s It’s important for American Indians the bill. He said that 25 mental health federally qualified health centers. to receive culturally competent care, provider organizations have gone out LB185, sponsored by Gordon she said, and to attempt to address the of business in Nebraska because they Sen. Tom Brewer, negative health outcomes that have could not cover their costs — not be- would appropri- resulted from historic trauma and lack cause demand has diminished. ate $700,000 in of access to affordable care. “You can’t have adequate capac- general funds in “Native Americans die at a much ity without adequate provider rates,” fiscal year 2021-22 higher rate than any other people in Connell said. and FY2022-23 to America,” gaiashkibos said. John Day, executive director of the Department No one testified in opposition to Blue Valley Behavioral Health, also of Health and Hu- Sen. Tom Brewer LB185 and the committee took no testified in support. Representing the man Services to provide funding to immediate action on the bill. Nebraska Association of Behavioral the Fred LeRoy Health and Wellness Health Organizations, he said pro- Center in Omaha. Provider rate increase sought viders have seen an increase in the Brewer said the tribally owned, number of individuals seeking help for federally qualified health center was Certain behavioral health provid- anxiety, mental health and substance established in 1997 by the Ponca Tribe ers would receive a rate increase under use issues during the pandemic. of Nebraska and provides medical, a bill considered Feb. 25 by the Ap- “The one true reality that does ex- dental, behavioral and public health propriations Committee. ist is the emotional and psychological services to individuals who are eligible LB462, introduced by Sen. Myron impact that [the pandemic] has had for Indian health services. Dorn of Adams, on all of us,” Day said. “We don’t see The clinic’s federal funding is would provide a the lingering effects of COVID going limited, he said, and the bill would 3 percent rate in- away anytime soon.” provide state funding on the same crease for behavior No one appeared at the hearing in level as Nebraska’s seven other feder- health providers opposition to the bill and the commit- ally qualified health centers. for fiscal year 2021- tee took no immediate action. Larry Wright Jr., chairman of the 22 and 3 percent Sen. Myron Dorn Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, testified in for FY2022-23 un- Funding sought to address support of the bill. He said the Fred der the state’s Medicaid program. developmental disability wait list LeRoy Health and Wellness Center Dorn said Medicaid expansion has serves more than 6,000 tribal citizens exacerbated the ongoing problem of The Appropriations Committee and other qualified individuals from low provider rates in Nebraska, which heard testimony Feb. 24 on a bill over 160 different tribal nations. he said remain far below the cost of intended to alleviate a wait list for Wright said the clinic currently is providing services. Federal CARES developmental disability services in planning an expansion to serve more Act dollars have not helped, he said, Nebraska. people, which he said would create because they only cover costs associ- LB493, introduced by Sen. Mach- more than 300 health care jobs. ated with the pandemic. aela Cavanaugh of Omaha, would “The parity that this bill will afford “It has been very difficult for hospi- appropriate $17 million in general the Ponca Tribe to carry out our mis- tals, clinics and individual providers to funds per year in fiscal year 2021-22 sion to serve our tribal citizens, other maintain services in their communities and FY2022-23 to the state Depart-

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 5 February 23 - 26, 2021 ment of Health and Human Services again will depend on waiver services, liaison, who would serve as a school’s to fund individuals on the wait list for she said. point of contact for military-connect- the developmental disability services “I have been able to work as a part- ed students and their families. Among waiver. time receptionist, with the help of a other duties, the liaison would identify Cavanaugh job coach, for over 10 years,” Koley military-connected students and as- said that almost said. “I take pride in going to work sist in coordinating school programs 5,000 Nebras- and being a productive citizen.” relevant to them. kan received Kristen Larsen also spoke in sup- Among other criteria, a qualifying developmental port on behalf of the Nebraska school must offer online resources disability servic- Planning Council on Developmental for military-connected students and es in 2018, but Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh Disabilities. The mother of a son with their families, maintain a student-led another 2,300 were on the wait list. developmental disabilities, she said program to assist military-connected That number has risen to 2,900 over the family reached a crisis point when students in transitioning into the the last two years, she said. he was 12 years old and only then were school and offer training for staff Although the bill entails a large classified as a priority for services. members on issues related to military- investment of state dollars, Cavanaugh “We have a lot of children and connected students. said, the funds would improve lives families who are waiting to become Blood said the average military- and could keep young people out of a priority,” Larsen said. “Our system connected student moves six to nine the state’s child welfare system. is set up to be reactionary and not times during their school years. LB5 “Over a decade ago, the Legislature preventative.” is intended to encourage Nebraska promised to fund the waiting list,” No one testified in opposition to schools to adopt programs that ease she said. “That promise has yet to be the bill and the committee took no a difficult transition for students and fulfilled.” immediate action on it. their families, she said. Edison McDonald, executive direc- “An important part of any transi- tor of The Arc of Nebraska, testified tion for these children of our military in support of the proposal. Services families is going to be learning that for individuals with intellectual and they aren’t on their own and have developmental disabilities help keep a tangible support system in place,” them in their communities and out of Blood said. institutional settings, he said. Purple star designation for Amy Bonn testified in support of Many people have been on the military friendly schools the bill, saying it would help maintain state’s wait list for as long as 10 years, proposed continuity in a student’s education he said, and are in danger of outliving after a move. their aging parents who have been Nebraska schools that take mea- Bonn said her son had been receiv- their sole support systems. Other sures to welcome military-connected ing additional help in reading at his families have been driven to relinquish students would receive a special des- previous school in Virginia. When younger children because they cannot ignation under a proposal considered the family moved to Nebraska after obtain needed services, he said. Feb. 23 by the Education Committee. her husband was assigned to Offutt “By failing to provide small, pre- Under LB5, introduced by Bellevue Air Force Base, Bonn said, her son’s ventative services now … we end up Sen. Carol Blood, new school did not continue that help, incurring radically higher costs later a public, private or although he eventually began reading on,” McDonald said. parochial school intervention and special education. Jenny Koley, who is on the wait list could apply to the “I strongly believe that the avail- but receiving some services, testified as State Board of Edu- ability of a purple star schools program a self-advocate in support of LB493. cation for an annual would prevent the type of struggle that Before the pandemic, Koley said, she “purple star school” my son and our family experienced by was able to live on her own for several designation. Sen. Carol Blood helping to ensure continuity in the years with the help of independent To qualify, a school would have to learning process,” Bonn said. living assistance. Being able to do so designate a staff member as a military John Hilgert, director of the state

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Department of Veterans Affairs, also tion would provide students with the Cora Schrader provided written testified in support, saying the propos- knowledge and tools to communicate testimony in support of the bill on al would help children of service mem- incidents of potential and actual behalf of Children’s Hospital and bers connect socially and emotionally sexual abuse. Medical Center. She said appropri- with their new school. By making the Programs also would include a ate, age-specific education on sexual transition easier for parents who serve training component for teachers, abuse and how to disclose it can help on active duty, he said, the bill also administrators and other school staff children who have been abused come would promote national defense. and another for parents. forward. Daniel Russell, deputy executive di- The bill would require the curricu- Teachers and other school person- rector of Stand for Schools, provided lum to be funded with money avail- nel are the largest group of child sexual written testimony in support of LB5. able under the federal Every Student abuse reporters, Schrader said. He said it would recognize the public Succeeds Act. “However, it is not common for schools that already provide program- Albrecht brought an amendment educators to have been taught how to ming for military-connected students. to the hearing that she said would respond to these disclosures and how to “Moreover,” he said, “the combi- require the state Department of Edu- recognize indicators of abuse or neglect,” nation of academic, counselling and cation to provide a list of approved she said. “This training will provide administrative support laid out in training materials to school districts. educators with the tools necessary to LB5 are important benchmarks for The amendment also would require recognize and respond appropriate[ly] those schools that wish to provide districts to provide the training to stu- to their students’ needs.” additional programming for their dents in kindergarten through twelfth Jason Hayes provided written military families.” grade, she said. testimony in support of the proposal No one testified in opposition to “Without educating children in on behalf of the Nebraska State Edu- the bill and the committee took no school,” Albrecht said, “most will cation Association. He said it is im- immediate action on it. never get the message on how to speak portant that teachers, as mandatory up and tell someone that they’re being reporters of child sexual abuse, receive Bill seeks to curb child sexual abused.” the training necessary to identify signs abuse Carrie Erks, a school social worker of that abuse. at Lincoln Public Schools, testified in “In addition,” he said, “it is impera- Nebraska schools would provide support of LB281. She said her district tive that our students are given the in- child sexual abuse prevention train- started teaching preschoolers about formation — and even the vocabulary ing to students, teachers and parents body awareness and sexual abuse pre- — necessary to keep themselves safe under a bill considered Feb. 23 by the vention nearly 20 years ago. and know who and how to reach out Education Committee. Erks said a well-chosen sexual abuse to if they are being abused.” As introduced by Sen. Joni Al- prevention program empowers parents Colby Coash testified in opposition brecht of Thur- to have body awareness conversations to the bill on behalf of the Nebraska ston, LB281 would with their children often and early so Association of School Boards. He said require each school that when a touching rule is broken, it would circumvent the process by district to adopt a students are able to recognize, refuse which the State Board of Education child sexual abuse and report the abuse before it can and state Department of Education set prevention instruc- continue or escalate. curriculum requirements for Nebraska tional program for “Over the years, I have watched schools. students in kin- Sen. Joni Albrecht children who have received these Additionally, he said, the depart- dergarten through fifth grade for lessons assertively define boundaries ment has drafted new health educa- implementation beginning in school around their body and immediately tion standards that include several of year 2022-23. and without hesitation report unwant- the elements proposed in LB281. If Programs would include at least ed or unsafe touches,” she said. “But the bill passes, he said, school boards four instructional sessions per school so many times I have hoped that this potentially would have to implement year using age-appropriate curriculum was available to all our community’s conflicting requirements. regarding body safety. The instruc- children.” Connie Duncan, a Lincoln Public

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 7 February 23 - 26, 2021

Schools board member, also testified “Nebraska has made some sig- when individuals in opposition. She said LB281 would nificant strides toward improving our who are released “steal” federal funding from existing YRTC system in the last couple of from prison en- programs and create additional re- years,” Arch said. “However, we know gage with the po- quirements for schools without also … that a lack of oversight can undo a lot litical process and increasing state funding. of progress in a short amount of time.” that the current The committee took no immediate The committee’s continuation was two-year waiting action on the bill. among the recommendations outlined period is arbitrary Sen. Justin Wayne in its report to the Legislature, Arch and rooted in racism. said, because members believed state “This type of legislation and con- senators could bring valuable expertise stitutional amendments started in the to the reorganization of the YRTC Reconstruction era,” Wayne said. “[Dis- structure currently being undertaken enfranchisement] laws became popular by the state Department of Health and in the 1870s … I think it is important Appointment of juvenile facility Human Services. to recognize the tentacles of slavery.” oversight committee proposed Jason Hayes of the Nebraska State Jasmine Harris of RISE — an Education Association testified in organization that assists individuals The Executive Board heard testi- support of the measure. In written recently released from prison — testi- mony Feb. 25 on a bill that would testimony, he said continued oversight fied in support of the bill. Many forget re-authorize an oversight committee is necessary to ensure that the YRTC that they regain the right to vote or for the state’s troubled youth rehabili- system is meeting its goals. mistakenly believe that the ban is per- tation and treatment centers. “Educators and staff at these fa- manent, she said. Harris added that In 2020, lawmakers created the cilities are among the key stakehold- the current waiting period was the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment ers in providing gender-appropriate result of a compromise among state Center Special Oversight Committee programming and age-appropriate senators and not based on data. of the Legislature in response to a cri- curriculum,” Hayes said. “There’s no science behind this sis situation at YRTC Geneva the year No one testified in opposition and number,” she said. before. The nine-member committee the committee took no immediate ac- Shakur Abdullah of the Commu- issued a report of its findings and tion on LR25. nity Justice Center also testified in recommendations to the Legislature support. He said ex-prisoners often and terminated Dec. 31, 2020. feel like lesser people and that restor- La Vista Sen. ing their voting rights upon release John Arch intro- would ease that burden. duced LR25 on be- “A felony conviction does not abro- half of the Health gate your citizenship,” Abdullah said. and Human Servic- Law student Shayna Bartow also es Committee. The Bill would eliminate waiting supported the bill. In 2020, approxi- measure would re- period on voting rights mately 27 percent of Nebraskans af- authorize the over- Sen. John Arch fected by the current restriction were sight committee with a termination Nebraskans who have been convict- Black, she said, while Black Nebras- date of Dec. 31, 2021. ed of a felony would have their voting kans account for roughly five percent Because the 2020 legislative session rights restored upon completion of of the state’s population. was interrupted by the pandemic, their sentence or probation under a “There is simply no legitimate Arch said, the bill establishing the bill considered Feb. 24 by the Govern- social or legal policy justification for original oversight committee was not ment, Military and Veterans Affairs this law,” Bartow said. signed into law until August of that Committee. Current law requires a No one appeared at the hearing year. This left the committee only a two-year waiting period. to testify in opposition to LB158 and brief window of time to carry out its Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne, spon- the committee took no immediate duties, he said. sor of LB158, said recidivism drops action on it.

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Bill would require county fied in support. He said LB424 would ment custody to the list of public zoning for wind turbines protect counties that currently do not records under the act. have zoning laws by establishing a Hansen said the provision to make The Government, Military and legal framework prior to wind energy police body camera footage available is Veterans Affairs Committee heard development. “vital” in cases when an individual dies. testimony Feb. 26 on a bill that would “If wind energy is going to go for- “Making any video available quickly require any Nebraska county that ward in this country it should be done could help ease the [public’s] concerns wishes to host a wind energy project with public support,” Allder said. by providing a specific account of to establish zoning requirements for David Levy testified in opposition what happened directly to the public,” such projects. to the bill on behalf of BHE Wind. Hansen said. LB424, intro- He said the proposal discriminates Current law allows agencies to duced by Gordon against the wind energy industry and charge for staff time required to Sen. Tom Brewer, diminishes local control by mandating retrieve public records if the request would require, be- county zoning regulation. takes more than four hours to fulfill. ginning Sept. 1, “This legislature authorized coun- LB557 would lengthen that time 2021, that such ties to adopt zoning regulation in from four hours to eight for Nebraska counties adopt zon- Sen. Tom Brewer 1969, however, neither then, nor since residents and the news media. The ing regulations to establish: then, has the Legislature saw fit to re- bill also would require custodians of • noise standards; quire counties to have zoning. LB424 public records to attest under oath • a decommissioning plan that would require them to do so — but to the estimated cost of fulfilling a includes site restoration; only for one industry,” Levy said. records request. • fees for conditional-use permits Elaine Menzel of the Nebraska Spike Eickholt of the ACLU of Ne- for wind energy projects; and Association of County Officials also braska testified in support of the bill. • a fixed-distance setback from testified in opposition. Counties The media and Nebraskans are some- residential buildings to wind want to retain control over whether to times “priced out” of access to public energy generation facilities. establish zoning regulations, she said, records, he said, meaning that such Brewer said the expansion of wind adding that 35 Nebraska counties al- records functionally are not public. energy projects has created a “tear in ready have adopted zoning regulations “[Residents] ought to have some the fabric of communities” in western for wind energy facilities. greater right of access to those public Nebraska by causing disputes between The committee took no immediate records that you have the privilege of neighbors and decreasing property action on the bill. paying for,” Eickholt said. values. Also in support was Korby Gilbert- “[A nearby wind turbine] has Bill seeks improved public son, who testified on behalf of Media caused you to either not be able to sell records access of Nebraska. In written testimony, your home or have the value of that Gilbertson said the bill would give home degraded,” Brewer said. Information subject to the Nebras- the public greater access to public Terry Madson of the Nebraska ka Public Records Act would be more information that entities are required Coalition for Responsible Energy accessible under a bill considered Feb. to provide. testified in support of LB424. He 25 by the Government, Military and “Providing public records should said the bill was not about stopping Veterans Affairs Committee. not be a revenue generating enterprise wind energy development but about LB557, introduced by Lincoln for custodians,” Gilbertson said. protecting property owners. Sen. Matt Hansen, Ken Schilz, speaking on behalf of “It doesn’t mean we’re opposed would add police the Consumer Data Industry Associa- to zero-carbon [energy] generation. It body camera re- tion, testified in opposition to LB557. doesn’t mean that we’re necessarily cordings that in- The bill would increase costs for data opposed to wind generation. It does volve the death of collection agencies, he said, which mean that it has to be done properly,” an individual be- may be located out of state but often Madson said. ing apprehended are retrieving records for Nebraska Larry Allder of Cortland also testi- or in law enforce- Sen. Matt Hansen residents, such as information used

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 9 February 23 - 26, 2021 to calculate credit scores. completion of a sentence or probation, “Nebraskans need CDIA’s mem- unless the individual was convicted of bers to be able to affordably access treason. If approved by lawmakers, the public records,” Schilz said. proposal would be placed on the 2022 Christy Abraham, speaking on general election ballot. Aggregation of certain criminal behalf of the League of Nebraska Mu- Cavanaugh said the current policy charges sought nicipalities and the Nebraska Power is not a deterrent to crime and is Association, also testified against rooted in racism. According to the The Judiciary Committee heard tes- LB557. She said the current four hour U.S. Department of Justice, Black timony Feb. 24 on LB104, sponsored provision is working well. Nebraskans are 4.6 percent of the by Henderson Sen. Curt Friesen. The “If it’s going to take a [county] clerk state’s population but 26.9 percent of bill would allow half of her work day to fulfill a request, the state’s prisoners, she said. the aggregation of maybe she can do that; if it’s going to “I would challenge you to find pecuniary losses be an entire day of her time to fulfill someone who is incarcerated who suffered by one or a public records request, that’s pretty stopped before committing a crime more individuals burdensome,” Abraham said. “We and thought ‘If I do this, I won’t get to from a singular have a lot of clerks that only work 10 vote for president,’” Cavanaugh said. scheme or course hours a week total.” “[Disenfranchisement] isn’t related of conduct in Sen. Curt Friesen Also in opposition was Steve Cerve- to crime. It is something we do to criminal mischief cases. ny of the Omaha Police Department. marginalize the population of people There are many instances where Releasing police body camera footage that are incarcerated.” the property of multiple citizens is could taint a jury pool and cause a Law student Deanna Hobbs testi- damaged as part of one continued act “rush to judgement,” he said. fied in support of the proposal. Felon or course of conduct, Friesen said, but “Allowing immediate release of voting restrictions are incompatible these instances currently cannot be footage related to an in-custody death with democracy, she said, adding charged in one single count. can derail the process of justice by that felon disenfranchisement dispro- “By adding the aggregation of pe- fracturing the ability to obtain and portionally affects Black residents in cuniary losses in the criminal mischief deliver the truth,” Cerveny said. Nebraska. statute, prosecutors and courts will The committee took no immediate “Deprivation of the right to vote be able to work more effectively and action on LB557. is not an inherent or necessary aspect offenders will be held accountable,” of criminal punishment,” Hobbs said. he said. Proposal would end felon Westin Miller of Civic Nebraska Sarah Carstensen, speaking on be- disenfranchisement also spoke in support. He said voting half of the Nebraska County Attorneys rights should be protected as fervently Association, supported LB104. Ag- Nebraskans who have committed as the right to free speech and the right gregation of pecuniary losses already is a felony other than treason would be to bear arms. authorized for theft offenses, she said, able to vote while incarcerated under “The right to vote in enshrined in but not for criminal mischief offenses. a proposed constitutional amendment four different [U.S.] constitutional An individual who steals several considered Feb. 24 by the Govern- amendments,” Miller said. “Citizen- phones could face one single charge, ment, Military and Veterans Affairs ship is not a right that expires upon she said, but if they instead only dam- Committee. misbehavior.” age those phones, each instance must LR10CA, No one appeared at the hearing to be brought as a separate charge. introduced by testify in opposition to LR10CA and “This statute will allow prosecutors Omaha Sen. the committee took no immediate to more efficiently do their work, al- Machaela Ca- action on it. low the courts to process cases more vanaugh, would efficiently, hold offenders accountable repeal the cur- Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh for more large-scale damages that rent prohibition occur in a series of crimes [with] nu- on felon voting until two years after merous victims ... and provide better

PAGE 10 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE February 23 - 26, 2021 access to the justice system for victims she said incited violence against law official duties and would be classified of a crime,” Carstensen said. enforcement and damaged property as a Class ID felony, punishable by Opposing LB104 was Spike Eick- during widespread protests for racial three to 50 years imprisonment and holt, representing the Nebraska Crimi- justice in 2020. an additional $5,000 fine. nal Defense Attorneys Association. The “We must provide law enforcement Brad Johnson, director of the Lan- bill would allow prosecutors to stack and county attorneys the tools that caster County Department of Correc- charges, he said, which could turn a hopefully discourage and deter, but tions, spoke in support of LB111. He misdemeanor offense into a felony. certainly appropriately punish, outside said including correctional officers in Eickholt said a felony conviction violent interests from causing harm,” the bill’s protections would improve can have long-lasting ramifications for she said. everyone’s safety. an individual, including having their If damage directly resulting from a “Assaultive behavior of any kind in right to vote revoked temporarily. riot is valued at more than $5,000, the a correctional facility is dangerous and “The only thing this bill does is charge would be elevated to a Class IV unacceptable,” Johnson said. “When allow the prosecutors of the state to in- felony, punishable by up to two years an inmate is willing to use violence crease their charging power,” he said. imprisonment with 12 months post- against a staff member, the safety and The committee took no immediate release supervision, a $10,000 fine or security of the entire facility is at risk.” action on the bill. both, as well as restitution. Mark Bonkiewicz of Omaha also The bill also would classify ob- supported the bill, saying it was an New penalties proposed for structing a public right of way and re- appropriate response to the violence rioting, assault fusing a public safety officer’s request that occurred last year. to move as a Class I misdemeanor. An “During the summer of 2020, A bill heard Feb. 24 by members of attempt to obstruct or interfere with a Americans witnessed unlawful mobs the Judiciary Committee would define lawful meeting, procession or gather- destroying public and private prop- rioting in state law and create new and ing would be a Class II misdemeanor, erty, assaulting first responders and expanded punishments. punishable by up to six months impris- killing first responders and innocent Under LB111, sponsored by Thur- onment, a $1,000 fine or both. citizens,” Bonkiewicz said. “LB111 is ston Sen. Joni Al- The definition of criminal mis- an example of powerful legislation brecht, an individu- chief already in statute would be that will protect all Nebraska citizens.” al who participates expanded under LB111 to include Opposing the bill was Spike Eick- in or organizes a property damage and unauthorized holt, speaking on behalf of the ACLU riot would be guilty graffiti suffered by a member of law of Nebraska. The proposal would of a Class I misde- enforcement, the armed services or create unnecessary new offenses, he meanor, punish- an elected or appointed official. The said, and is intended to discourage able by up to one Sen. Joni Albrecht offense would be considered a Class individuals from exercising their le- year imprisonment, a $1,000 fine or IV felony. If such damage is inflicted gally protected rights to protest and both. An individual found guilty of upon a government building, school assemble. the offense also could be required to or hospital, the offense would be a “There’s already existing felonies pay restitution. Class I misdemeanor. and crimes to hold people [account- The bill defines a riot as a distur- A person found guilty of either able] for damage done during a pro- bance in a public place, prison or jail offense could be required to pay test,” he said. involving an assemblage of three or restitution and would be liable for a The committee took no immediate more persons which, by tumultuous $5,000 fine for second and subsequent action on LB111. and violent conduct, creates grave dan- offenses. ger of substantial damage to property, Among other provisions, LB111 Equal treatment sought for serious bodily injury to persons or sub- also would establish penalties for religious organizations stantially obstructs law enforcement or assault of a public safety officer or another governmental function. health care worker. First degree assault State agencies and political sub- Albrecht said she brought the bill would include causing serious bodily divisions would be prohibited from in response to “outside groups” that injury during the commission of their disproportionately restricting religious

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 11 February 23 - 26, 2021

activity during a state of emergency Nebraska, we could at least feel that that they must be open on the same under a bill heard by the Judiciary our legislators are protecting us to do terms to everyone.” Committee Feb. 26. our work without the fear that our Public accommodations include Under LB167, sponsored by Lincoln government will infringe upon that.” any business or public place offering Sen. Suzanne Geist, Marilyn Asher of Omaha also the general public goods, services, religious organiza- spoke in support of the bill. She said food, shelter, recreation and amuse- tions would be per- she worries about increased rates of ment including hotels, restaurants, mitted to continue depression among people who were movie theaters, stores or any publicly operating and en- unable to attend spiritual services funded facility. gaging in religious during the coronavirus pandemic due Sarah Rips of Lincoln spoke in services during a to restrictions on the size of indoor support of the bill. She said the state of emergency. Sen. Suzanne Geist gatherings. protections proposed in LB230 align The government still could impose “I don’t think we can overestimate with the beliefs of the majority of health, safety or occupancy require- the value of the faith community in Nebraskans. ments on a religious organization if Nebraska,” Asher said. “Despite all of the progress that those restrictions are applied to all No one appeared at the hearing to LGBT people have [achieved] in the organizations and businesses and fur- testify in opposition to LB167 and the last 10 years, we have a long way to go,” ther a compelling state interest in the committee took no immediate action Rips said. “And as an LGBT person in least restrictive way possible. on the bill. Nebraska, I know we have a long way Protections granted under LB167 to go, but I know we can get there.” could be used as a defense in any ju- Ban on public accommodation, Also speaking in support of the dicial or administrative proceeding, as housing discrimination bill was Kayla Meyer, representing the well as a basis for a tort claim against considered Lincoln Young Professionals Group. the state. The court could award in- Society is becoming more diverse, she junctive relief and financial damages Individuals could not be denied said, and Nebraska should strive to be- if a religious organization successfully public service or housing because of come more inclusive and welcoming. proves its claim. their sexual orientation or gender “Discrimination is already against Geist said religious organizations identity under a bill heard Feb. 26 by the law when it comes to factors like not only meet people’s spiritual needs the Judiciary Committee. race, religion, sex and national origin,” but also provide essential support LB230, sponsored by Omaha Meyer said. “As a state we have the services including feeding the hungry, Sen. Megan Hunt, opportunity to step up and act now housing the homeless and providing would prohibit dis- to make sure these protections are mental and physical health care. crimination on the provided for [all] our citizens.” “Religious organizations provide basis of sexual ori- Opposing the bill was Karen Bowl- services that are vital to the health entation or gender ing, executive director of the Nebraska and welfare of our state,” she said. identity in public Family Alliance. Other states have “Churches and their ministries are accommodations ruled that protections similar to those desperately needed to provide these and under the Ne- Sen. Megan Hunt in LB230 would apply to churches, services to those in need and are es- braska Fair Housing Act. she said, including prohibitions on pecially important in a time of crisis.” Hunt said no one should be denied gender-specific bathrooms. Solo Mwania, lead pastor of Lin- the ability to get a sandwich or a hair- “Government officials have used coln City Church, testified in support cut because of their sexual orientation [sexual orientation and gender iden- of the bill. He said that religious lead- or gender identity. tity] laws to force churches and faith- ers must be allowed to help their con- “Providing a commercial service based organizations to violate their gregations during challenging times. doesn’t mean that a business owner sincerely held beliefs,” Bowling said. “We’ve continued to work with endorses or agrees with everything “Bodily privacy and dignity must be families as they navigate the hard- their customers believe,” she said. “It protected.” ships that we’re all experiencing due simply means the business owners are Matt Sharp, speaking on behalf to this pandemic,” Mwania said. “In providing a service to the public and of the Alliance Defending Freedom,

PAGE 12 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE February 23 - 26, 2021 also opposed LB230. He said constitu- Matt Heffron, representing the ha Sen. John Ca- tional free speech protections should Thomas Moore Society, spoke in sup- vanaugh, second be applied equally. port of LB282. He said the exemption or subsequent “Tolerance and respect for good- for educators in the state’s obscenity theft convictions faith differences of opinion are essen- statute was intended only for postsec- only could be en- tial in a pluralistic society like ours and ondary instructors and art classes. hanced by a prior enable us to peacefully coexist with “[The bill] doesn’t do anything as conviction if the each other,” Sharp said. “But laws far as teachers are concerned, they prior offense oc- Sen. John Cavanaugh like LB230 will result in kind-hearted would just be held to the same stan- curred within the preceding 15 years. Nebraskans being dragged into court dard as everyone else in the state,” Cavanaugh said the state already and being punished by the govern- Heffron said. “This is only to sort out imposes a 15-year “look back” provi- ment for peaceably seeking to live and the rogues who might want to present sion with regard to driving under the work consistent with their beliefs.” obscenity in schools.” influence offenses. The committee took no immediate Also speaking in support of the bill “This bill would recognize the real- action on the bill. was Teresa Davidson, a pediatric nurse ity that if someone goes a long period practitioner and anti-human traf- without a law violation, that they Bill would repeal educator ficking advocate. She said children’s are not as serious a threat to society obscenity exemption minds are not developed enough to as someone who commits multiple process sexually explicit images. crimes in quick succession,” he said. Members of the Judiciary Commit- “Being exposed to sexually explicit Spike Eickholt, speaking on behalf tee heard testimony Feb. 26 on a bill material places children at risk from of the Nebraska Criminal Defense that would repeal a legal protection all kinds of predators, which is why Attorneys Association, supported the given to certain educators. it’s critical that a [legal] loophole that bill. He said it was a modest reform of LB282, sponsored by Thurston allows obscene material to be provided the state’s crime enhancement statute. Sen. Joni Albrecht, to children be closed,” Davidson said. No one testified in opposition to would remove an Opposing the bill was Hunter LB319 and the committee took no exemption from Traynor, speaking on behalf of the immediate action on it. prosecution for Nebraska Library Association. The school or library bill runs counter to the Nebraska ideal Agricultural equipment right- employees who of local control, he said, and would to-repair bill considered provide obscenity curtail the discretion librarians need to minors. Sen. Joni Albrecht to do their jobs. Owners of modern farm machinery Albrecht said the bill would close “Library boards and school boards would have the same access as autho- a loophole in Nebraska law that al- are better forums for concerned parents rized dealers to the software tools, lows an adult to provide obscenity to than our courts of law,” Traynor said. technical manuals and parts needed to a child. “Local control allows librarians to meet make repairs under a bill heard Feb. “In Nebraska elementary [and] the needs of their communities and 25 by the Judiciary Committee. high schools and libraries it currently respond swiftly to any [situation].” LB543, introduced by Sen. Tom is lawful to provide criminal obscen- The committee took no immediate Brandt of Plym- ity to any age of school children,” she action on the bill. outh, would re- said. “It makes no sense that schools quire original and libraries — of all places — should Conviction enhancement limits equipment manu- be given a path to expose children to proposed facturers to make material the law already would recog- available, on fair nize as criminally obscene.” The Judiciary Committee heard and reasonable Violation of the state’s obscenity testimony Feb. 24 on a bill that would terms, the docu- Sen. Tom Brandt law is a Class I misdemeanor, punish- limit sentence enhancement for cer- mentation, parts and tools needed to able by up to one year in prison, a tain offenses. diagnose, maintain or repair electron- $1,000 fine or both. Under LB319, sponsored by Oma- ics-enabled agricultural equipment to

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 13 February 23 - 26, 2021 independent mechanics or the equip- “Our members feel strongly about pendent third parties who have not ment’s owner. having the same flexibility in farm gone through proper certification Violating the act — which would equipment repair that’s available in and training could materially and apply to equipment sold or in use the automobile industry,” he said. negatively impact growers’ attempts in Nebraska on or after its effective Jerrad Stroh, who farms near to produce greater yields with greater date — would be an unlawful practice Juniata, also testified in support. He operational efficiency,” he said. under the state Uniform Deceptive said most dealerships charge a flat fee Also in opposition was Kevin Trade Practices Act. for a service call, plus mileage and an Clark, CEO of AKRS Equipment So- Brandt said software-driven trac- hourly service charge. If he had access lutions. He said the company, which tors, combines, center pivots and to the electronic diagnostic tool that operates 26 John Deere dealerships other farm equipment are more ef- gives detailed information about an across Nebraska, answers service calls ficient than their analog forebears, equipment failure, he said, he could around the clock and usually can send but their increasing complexity has make simple repairs himself rather a technician to a customer’s farm allowed manufacturers to restrict the than wait for a technician. within 24 hours. tools and documentation necessary Vern Jantzen testified in support of “With hundreds of different repair to make repairs to authorized dealers. the bill on behalf of Nebraska Farmers shops outside the John Deere dealer He said LB543 is intended to allow Union. In many parts of the state, he network,” he said, “there is ample farmers and ranchers to make simple said, farmers and ranchers can face ability to get equipment repaired repairs themselves, saving them time long wait times for a technician during throughout the state.” and money. the busiest times of the year. The committee took no immediate “As a farmer, I’m overjoyed when “Most farmers will tell you that action on the bill. I snap a piece of steel because I can downtime is money lost during plant- get that off the shelf — I can fix that,” ing and harvesting operations,” Jant- Penalty proposed for social Brandt said. “But when I’ve got code zen said. media censorship problems, that’s another story.” Grant Suhre, manager of customer Brandt brought an amendment to support for John Deere in the U.S. LB621, sponsored by Henderson the hearing that he said is intended and Canada, testified in opposition to Sen. Curt Fries- to address the concerns of equipment LB543. He said the company supports en, would require dealers and manufacturers. Among its customers’ ability to repair their a dominant so- other changes, it would define “fair machines but not to modify them or cial media site to and reasonable,” remove a provision tamper with emissions controls. provide written allowing owners to access security- To that end, Suhre said, John notice within 30 related functions and clarify that the Deere has made available all tools, days to any user proposal would not authorize owners diagnostic equipment and technical whose account is Sen. Curt Friesen to modify equipment. manuals needed to make repairs. disabled, suspended or censored. Lance Atwater testified in support “We don’t believe we need legisla- Following the 2020 presidential of the bill and the amendment on tion to enable customers to repair election, Friesen said many social behalf of the Nebraska Farm Bureau their machines,” he said. “We’ve media companies began to censor and six other agricultural groups. already enabled that.” posts and ban users for content that He said manufacturers and right- Trevor Mecham testified in oppo- the companies found offensive or to-repair advocates had hoped to sition to the bill on behalf of Valley harmful. have a memorandum of agreement Irrigation. He said automated center “While I understand the impor- in place by early this year, but nego- pivot irrigation systems soon will use tance of preventing violence, unac- tiations stalled. Auto manufacturers artificial intelligence software to deter- countable social media giants — that have made a similar agreement under mine when, where and how to spray for are answerable only to their sharehold- which owners and independent repair pests and disease. Those applications ers — are not the right entities to make shops can buy the diagnostic equip- will require a higher level of expertise these sorts of decisions, especially ment and tools needed to repair cars, to troubleshoot, Mecham said. when these decisions can be made for Atwater said. “Giving uncertified access to inde- any reason, with zero due process or

PAGE 14 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE February 23 - 26, 2021 accountability,” he said. vice, unlike many to increase transparency in Nebraska’s The bill defines a dominant social states. He said a tax incentive programs. media site as one that has more than 75 substance that is LB134, introduced by Sen. Tom million subscribers or users and has not essential to life Brandt of Plym- been affiliated with a specific religion should not be sub- outh, would re- or political party from its inception. ject to tax. quire the state The owner or operator of such The state De- Department of a social media site would be fined partment of Rev- Sen. Justin Wayne Revenue to com- $100,000 per violation if their actions enue estimates that LB26 would pile detailed in- would have been in violation of First reduce state general fund revenue by formation on tax Amendment protections had they $4.6 million in fiscal year 2021-22, refunds, credits Sen. Tom Brandt been a government entity. Fines col- $7.8 million in FY2022-23 and $8.6 and exemptions received by taxpayers lected under LB621 would be remitted million in FY2023-24. under the state’s current tax incentive to the state treasurer for distribution Doug Kagan of Nebraska Taxpayers programs and any similar program cre- to counties to support public schools. for Freedom testified in support of the ated by the Legislature in the future. Andrew Bish of Giltner spoke in bill. He said Nebraskans pay the tax The information, which would be support of the bill. Social media posts in question on a government service, posted on a website maintained by the advertising his legal hemp farming not on their consumer purchases or state treasurer, would include a list of operation have been censored, he private services. individual tax incentives received by said, under provisions prohibiting Kagan said businesses can claim a each taxpayer, the aggregate amount drug-related content. tax exemption if more than 50 percent of tax credits and sales tax refunds “We actually had been censored by of the water they use is consumed in received by each taxpayer and the aggre- YouTube because we were harvesting manufacturing, processing, refining or gate amount of wage credits a taxpayer hemp in the field by tractor,” Bish said. the irrigation of farmland. used against employee withholding. “The Farm Bill of 2018 legalized hemp “Adding this exemption to residen- Brandt said current reporting is not federally, yet today I don’t have the tial property seems only fair,” he said. detailed enough to allow the public same opportunities for advertising or Jack Cheloha testified in opposi- and lawmakers to determine whether outreach that some other places have.” tion to the bill on behalf of the city of the hundreds of millions of dollars in No one appeared at the hearing to Omaha. If LB26 passes, he said, the tax incentives granted each year are testify in opposition to the bill and city would lose between $1.6 million serving their intended purpose. the committee took no immediate and $2 million per year in sales tax rev- “Until we become more transpar- action on it. enue that it uses to balance its budget. ent regarding corporate tax credits,” Also in opposition was Lash Chaf- he said, “it will remain difficult for fin of the League of Nebraska Mu- us as lawmakers to determine if these nicipalities. He said LB26 would programs deliver sufficient value to cut revenue to the more than 200 the state at large and not just the Nebraska cities that impose a local rewarded companies.” option sales tax. LB134 also would require the de- Tax exemption for residential Cities would have to increase water partment to include the information water service considered rates or their property tax levies to in an annual report and present it at offset that loss, Chaffin said. a joint hearing of the Appropriations The Revenue Committee heard tes- The committee took no immediate and Revenue committees. timony Feb. 24 a proposal that would action on the proposal. Craig Beck, fiscal analyst at Open- exempt residential water service from Sky Policy Institute, testified in sup- state sales and use tax. More detailed tax incentive port of the bill. Under the ImagiNE Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne, spon- reporting proposed Nebraska Act, he said, only basic sor of LB26, said Nebraska does not information such as a taxpayer’s name impose sales tax on bottled water The Revenue Committee heard and location and a two-year sum of but does tax residential water ser- testimony Feb. 26 on a bill intended their tax credits and sales tax refunds

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 15 February 23 - 26, 2021 is made public. other ethanol-producing states.” Tax exemption sought for LB134 would give the Legislature The state Department of Rev- header trailers, seed tenders more detailed, company-specific data enue estimates that LB595 would on a yearly basis, Beck said, helping reduce state general fund revenue Certain agricultural machinery and policymakers determine whether that by $593,000 in fiscal year 2021-22, equipment would not be subject to program and others are meeting their $898,000 in FY2022-23 and $907,000 state sales and use tax under a bill heard goals. in FY2023-24. Feb. 24 by the Revenue Committee. Chad Denton testified in opposi- Troy Bredenkamp, senior vice presi- Sales and use tax currently may not tion to the bill on behalf of the Ne- dent of government affairs for the Re- be imposed on the gross receipts from braska State Chamber of Commerce newable Fuels Association, testified in the sale, lease or rental of depreciable and Industry and the Lincoln and support of the bill. Nebraska exempts agricultural machinery and certain Omaha chambers. He said LB134 business inputs from sales and use tax equipment used in commercial agri- causes businesses “tremendous” con- in almost every instance, he said, but culture. cern because the detailed reporting it the department does not interpret yeast Under LB672, introduced by Sen. would require indirectly could reveal and enzymes to be ethanol manufactur- Dave Murman of sensitive information to competitors. ing inputs because they are not identifi- Glenvil, agricul- The committee took no immediate able in the final product. tural machinery action on the bill. By remedying that “unfortunate” and equipment interpretation, Bredenkamp said, would be defined Tax exemption sought for LB595 would make Nebraska’s etha- as tangible person- ethanol inputs nol industry, which has been battered al property used di- by thin margins and pandemic-related rectly in cultivating Sen. Dave Murman Certain products used to manu- disruptions, more competitive. or harvesting a crop, raising or caring facture ethanol would be exempt Roger Berry, administrator of the for animal life, protecting the health from state sales and use tax under Nebraska Ethanol Board, also testified and welfare of animal life or collecting a bill heard Feb. 24 by the Revenue in support, saying it is “imperative” to or processing an agricultural product Committee. exempt ethanol inputs from taxation. on a farm or ranch. Under LB595, introduced by He said LB595 could position Nebras- The bill also would specify that Thurston Sen. Joni Albrecht, state ka to expand its ethanol industry at a agricultural machinery and equip- sales and use tax- time when California and other states ment includes header trailers, head es could not be are demanding more low-carbon fuels. haulers, header transports and seed imposed on gross “This one act would keep Nebraska tender trailers. receipts from the competitive so that when the day of ex- Murman said the definition is sale, lease or rental pansion comes, we do not lose out to needed to provide guidance and clarity of — and storage, the other states around us,” Berry said. to the agricultural community and the use or other con- Also in support was Jon Cosby of state Department of Revenue, which sumption in Ne- Sen. Joni Albrecht E Energy Adams, which operates an he said has applied the current exemp- braska of — enzymes, yeast and related ethanol plant in southeast Nebraska. tion inconsistently. products used to manufacture ethyl He said neighboring states do not tax “All of these items have a specific alcohol, or ethanol. the enzymes and yeast that are integral purpose used directly in agriculture Albrecht said Nebraska typically to the ethanol manufacturing process. and are not used for other purposes,” exempts manufacturing inputs from “LB595 would put Nebraska’s etha- he said. state sales tax to avoid tax pyramiding. nol producers and a plant like ours on Al Juhnke testified in support of “Taxing inputs results in an effec- an even playing field with competition LB672 on behalf of the Nebraska Pork tive sales tax rate that is higher than in other states,” Cosby said. Producers Association and several the statutory rate,” she said. “The No one testified in opposition to other agricultural groups. He said the imposition of sales tax on inputs has the bill and the committee took no bill’s passage would bring “sighs of kept our ethanol producers and manu- immediate action on it. relief” from Nebraska farmers and facturers at a distinct disadvantage to ranchers.

PAGE 16 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE February 23 - 26, 2021

Juhnke said the department de- Corporations currently pay an in- where businesses in the same industry cided in recent years to impose sales come tax rate of 5.58 percent on the with similar taxable income are taxed tax on equipment that it has never first $100,000 of taxable income and at different rates based on how they taxed before. 7.81 percent on all taxable income in were formed. “There’s some brand-new taxes excess of that amount. Renee Fry, executive director of being invoked by the Department of LB680, introduced by Sen. Lou OpenSky Policy Institute, testified in Revenue,” he said. “We’ve tried inter- Ann Linehan of opposition to LB680. She said the nally to correct it over the last two or Elkhorn, would set proposed tax cut mostly would benefit three years and been unsuccessful.” the top rate at 6.84 a small number of individuals who John Hansen, president of Ne- percent, the same live outside Nebraska while cutting braska Farmers Union, also testified as the state’s top revenue used to fund state services. in support. He said similar disputes individual income The committee took no immediate have centered on the department’s in- tax rate, beginning action on the bill. terpretation of whether an exemption Jan. 1, 2022. Sen. Lou Ann Linehan applies to multipurpose machinery The state Department of Revenue that could be used for agriculture, estimates that the bill would reduce construction or recreation. general fund revenue by $5 million However, Hansen said, the special- in fiscal year 2021-22, $20 million in ized equipment in question clearly FY22-23 and $36 million in FY23-24. is used for commercial agriculture Linehan said most Nebraska busi- and should be covered by the current nesses are formed as passthrough enti- Specialty license plates exemption. ties that distribute income to partners considered “There’s just not much of a case and shareholders, who pay personal to be made that a header trailer is income taxes on those distributions. Members of the Transportation used for some other reason than agri- She said LB680 would create tax and Telecommunications Commit- culture,” he said. “If you have a seed parity for businesses regardless of their tee heard testimony Feb. 23 on two tender, what else would you use a seed legal form and make Nebraska less reli- bills that would create new specialty tender for?” ant on tax incentives that “everybody license plates. Tim Keigher testified in support of knows we have to have but nobody Under LB317, sponsored by Omaha the bill on behalf of the Iowa-Nebraska seems to love.” Sen. John Cava- Equipment Dealers Association. He Sarah Curry, policy director for the naugh, Nebraska said the issue arose some years ago Platte Institute, testified in support of History licenses when the department audited several the bill, saying Nebraska’s current tax plates would be equipment dealers and asked them to code puts it at a disadvantage to other available in alpha- remit sales tax on certain items. states in the region. South Dakota and numeric or per- In most cases, Keigher said, the Wyoming do not levy a corporate in- sonalized versions dealers paid it themselves rather than come tax, she said, and Missouri and beginning Jan. 1, Sen. John Cavanaugh ask customers to pay it after the fact. Colorado have some of the nation’s 2023. The plate would be designed in No one testified in opposition to lowest corporate tax rates. consultation with History Nebraska LB672 and the committee took no Bryan Slone testified in support — formerly the Nebraska Historical immediate action on it. of the bill on behalf of the Nebraska Society — and reflect the importance Chamber of Commerce and Industry of preserving the state’s shared history. Parity between top corporate, and the Lincoln and Omaha cham- The specialty license plate com- personal income tax rates bers. He said reducing the corporate memorating Nebraska’s sesquicenten- sought tax rate is essential for Nebraska to nial has generated over $250,000 in compete with other states in the region revenue, Cavanaugh said, showing a The Revenue Committee heard tes- for new business investment. clear demand for license plates that timony Feb. 25 on a proposal to cut the Additionally, Slone said, the cur- celebrate state history. state’s top corporate income tax rate. rent tax code results in situations “The Nebraska 150 plate expires

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 17 February 23 - 26, 2021 in 2022, leaving a void in specialized force in the community. preventable injuries, drowning is the plates for citizens who want to cel- “This grant program would hope- leading cause of death for children ebrate and remember Nebraska’s his- fully help to lower the number of child- aged one to four. tory and removing a small, but reliable hood drownings in Nebraska,” She said “I truly believe it’s a question of revenue stream for History Nebraska,” The fee for the alphanumeric plates awareness, a question of educating he said. “All funds generated from the would be $5, credited to the Josh the children, caregivers, parents and sale of History Nebraska plates will Otter-Be Safe Around Water Cash grandparents that drowning is a seri- be directed toward enhancing and Fund. Personalized plates would cost ous issue,” Collingsworth said. “We increasing access to Nebraska’s history $40, with $10 credited to the state De- created the Josh the Otter program to through vital means and supporting partment of Motor Vehicles Cash Fund introduce it to children and parents in history education for children.” and $30 credited to the Josh the Otter- a fun, not scary way.” The fee for the alphanumeric plates Be Safe Around Water Cash Fund. No one testified in opposition to would be $5, credited to the Support Blake Collingsworth spoke in sup- either bill and the committee took no Nebraska History Cash Fund. Person- port of LB166. He said that among immediate action on them. n alized plates would cost $40, with $10 credited to the state Department of Motor Vehicles Cash Fund and $30 credited to the Support Nebraska History Cash Fund. Speaking in support of LB317 was Trevor Jones, director of History Nebraska. Funds generated from the license plate would continue to fund education efforts at the historical so- ciety, he said, with a particular focus on digital education. “History Nebraska has been work- ing for years to improve digital offer- ings but the demand has skyrocketed during the pandemic and will only continue to grow,” Jones said. The committee also heard testi- mony on LB166, sponsored by Lincoln Sen. Su- zanne Geist, which would authorize Josh the Otter-Be Safe Around Wa- ter license plates, Sen. Suzanne Geist available as of Jan. 1, 2022. Blake and Kathy Collingsworth of Lincoln created the Josh the Otter-Be Safe Around Water Memorial Fund after their son, Josh, succumbed to his injuries following an accidental drowning. Geist said she introduced the bill on their behalf because they have turned a tragedy into a positive

PAGE 18 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE February 23 - 26, 2021 Committee Hearings Current hearing schedules are available at: NebraskaLegislature.gov/calendar Further committee information is available at: NebraskaLegislature.gov/committees/standing-committees.php

Monday, March 1 Equity and Educational Opportunities Education Banking, Commerce & Insurance Support Act Room 1525 - 1:30 p.m. Room 1507 - 1:30 p.m. LB62 (Kolterman) Create the Access LB20 (Blood) Provide for insurance Education College Early Scholarship Cash Fund coverage of and medicaid access to Room 1525 - 1:30 p.m. and change provisions relating to the prescribed contraceptives LB630 (Bostar) Provide for a study of Nebraska Education Improvement LB30 (Wayne) Limit the amount an the efficacy of commercial air filters in Fund, Nebraska Opportunity Grant insured pays for prescription insulin classrooms Fund, and Community College Gap drugs LB565 (McDonnell) Provide for a youth Assistance Program Fund initiated mentoring pilot program LB36 (Erdman) Require display of the Business & Labor LB200 (Vargas) Provide a high school national motto in schools Room 1524 - 9:30 a.m. graduation requirement relating to LB87 (Morfeld) Provide for mental LB172 (M. Hansen) Change provisions federal student aid health first aid training for school relating to benefit payments under the LB639 (Day) Adopt the Seizure Safe districts and change provisions relating Employment Security Law Schools Act to the use of lottery funds LB207 (McDonnell) Change provisions relating to the date when compensation Executive Board Nebraska Retirement Systems begins under the Nebraska Workers’ Room 1525 - 12:00 p.m. Room 1525 - 12:00 p.m. Compensation Act LB393 (Hughes) Eliminate the Next LB478 (Blood) Adopt the Cities of the LB441 (M. Hansen) Change provisions Generation Business Growth Act First Class Firefighters Cash Balance relating to compensation for individuals LB657 (Vargas) Require the office of Retirement Act affected by COVID-19 under the Legislative Research to prepare racial Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act impact statements for legislative bills Urban Affairs LB480 (McKinney) Change the minimum Room 1510 - 1:30 p.m. wage as prescribed Transportation & Telecommunications LB423 (Lathrop) Require registration of Room 1113 - 9:30 a.m. home inspectors Business & Labor LB486 (Day) Require train crews of at LB549 (Wayne) Adopt the Aid to Room 1524 - 1:30 p.m. least two individuals Municipalities Act LB667 (Halloran) Provide for LB539 (Walz) Provide for a limit on the LB219 (Wayne) Change legislative confidentiality of and access to certain length of trains declarations and findings relating to injury reports under the Nebraska traffic congestion in municipal areas Workers’ Compensation Act Transportation & Telecommunications LB512 (Brewer) Adopt the Critical Infra- Room 1113 - 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 3 structure Utility Worker Protection Act LB575 (Bostar) Adopt the Midwest Government, Military & Veterans Affairs LB594 (Slama) Adopt the Rural Interstate Passenger Rail Compact Room 1507 - 9:30 a.m. Workforce Crisis Act LB12 (Blood) Require a commuter rail LB442 (M. Hansen) Create the LB632 (Bostar) Provide for a low-income service study by the Department of Commission on Asian American Affairs student or first-generation college Transportation student internship program Government, Military & Veterans Affairs LB241 (Vargas) Adopt the Meatpacking Tuesday, March 2 Room 1507 - 1:30 p.m. Employees COVID-19 Protection Act Agriculture LB349 (McKinney) Create El-Hajj Room 1524 - 1:30 p.m. Malik El-Shabazz, Malcolm X Day and Education Appointment: Tom S. Dinsdale - Neb. establish a holiday Room 1525 - 9:30 a.m. State Fair Board LB29 (Wayne) Replace Arbor Day with LR21CA (Briese) Constitutional Juneteenth as a state holiday amendment to require the State of Banking, Commerce & Insurance LB577 (Bostar) Establish Election Day Nebraska to pay all classroom expenses Room 1507 - 1:30 p.m. as a holiday and change provisions related to the operation of public LB270 (Morfeld) Adopt the Pharmacy relating to early voting and automatic elementary and secondary schools Benefit Manager Regulation Act and voter registration LB378 (DeBoer) Require the require an audit under the Medical Commissioner of Education to report Assistance Act Health & Human Services data as prescribed LB375 (Kolterman) Adopt the Pharmacy Room 1510 - 10:30 a.m. LB640 (Day) Change provisions related Benefit Manager Regulation and Appointment: Dennis Roop - Stem Cell to early childhood education in the Tax Transparency Act Research Advisory Committee

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 19 February 23 - 26, 2021 Committee Hearings Current hearing schedules are available at: NebraskaLegislature.gov/calendar Further committee information is available at: NebraskaLegislature.gov/committees/standing-committees.php

Health & Human Services Revenue LB95 (DeBoer) Change provisions Room 1510 - 1:30 p.m. Room 1524 - 9:30 a.m. relating to garnishment Appointment: David Owens - Stem Cell LB180 (Linehan) Change provisions LB331 (Wayne) Prohibit contractual Research Advisory Committee relating to certain public statements criminal enforcement of certain of the Tax Commissioner and certain offenses related to animals Judiciary estimates of General Fund net receipts LB540 (Walz) Change terminology Room 1113 - 9:30 a.m. LB431 (Revenue) Change taxation related to disability in civil rights LB13 (Blood) Prohibit possession of provisions relating to improvements provisions a deadly weapon by the subject of a on leased lands, the assessment of foreign protection order undervalued and overvalued property, Judiciary LB85 (Bostelman) Require Nebraska methods for giving notice, and the Room 1113 - 1:30 p.m. State Patrol to provide notice of collection of certain taxes and fees LB157 (Wayne) Change provisions expiration of concealed handgun permits LB542 (Walz) Authorize the issuance relating to grand juries in cases of LB244 (Clements) Change permit of highway bonds under the Nebraska death during apprehension or custody renewal provisions of the Concealed Highway Bond Act LB204 (Slama) Change provisions of Handgun Permit Act the Sex Offender Registration Act Revenue LB496 (Hilkemann) Require collection Judiciary Room 1524 - 1:30 p.m. of DNA samples for persons arrested Room 1113 - 1:30 p.m. LB434 (Revenue) Change provisions for crimes of violence LB116 (McCollister) Change provisions relating to tax expenditure reports and LB636 (J. Cavanaugh) Eliminate cash relating to handgun transfer certificates certain joint hearings of legislative bail bonds, appearance bonds, and and require suicide prevention training committees related provisions and informational materials LB459 (M. Cavanaugh) Change LB458 (McCollister) Change provisions LB173 (B. Hansen) Change provisions provisions relating to the cigarette tax of the Sex Offender Registration Act relating to carrying a concealed weapon and the Tobacco Products Tax Act and LB300 (Slama) Change provisions distribute tax proceeds as prescribed Revenue relating to justification for the use of force LB655 (Wayne) Change tax provisions Room 1524 - 9:30 a.m. LB404 (Lowe) Change permit and relating to cigars, cheroots, and stogies LB564 (McDonnell) Redefine a term renewal time periods under the relating to the Nebraska educational Concealed Handgun Permit Act Thursday, March 4 savings plan trust LB417 (Halloran) Authorize possession Government, Military & Veterans Affairs LB681 (Linehan) Include elementary of a firearm on school grounds by a full- Room 1507 - 9:30 a.m. and secondary schools in the Nebraska time, off-duty law enforcement officer LB8 (Blood) Change independent educational savings plan trust and expenditure reporting requirements and change tax benefits Natural Resources require electioneering reporting LB599 (Lindstrom) Change an exemption Room 1525 - 1:30 p.m. from the documentary stamp tax LR48 (Bostelman) Recognize the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs need for the Legislature to understand Room 1507 - 1:30 p.m. Revenue the circumstances and practices LB489 (Wayne) Require a financial Room 1524 - 1:30 p.m. surrounding the interruptions in stability and service capability analysis LB329 (Wayne) Change provisions electricity to residents in the state for certain state contracts relating to taxes imposed on the (Note: Invited Testimony Only) LB61 (Kolterman) Provide formal average wholesale price of gasoline protest procedures for certain state LB430 (Revenue) Change tax Nebraska Retirement Systems contracts for services provisions relating to net book value Room 1525 - 12:00 p.m. LB432 (Revenue) Change income tax LB184 (Brewer) Provide for an Judiciary rates insurance premium deduction from the Room 1113 - 9:30 a.m. LB433 (Revenue) Change the sales and retirement annuity of certain Nebraska LB49 (M. Hansen) Change penalty for use tax rate State Patrol employees use of tobacco or nicotine products by a LB676 (Linehan) Redefine a term LB209 (McDonnell) Change provisions person under twenty-one years of age relating to cigarette taxes relating to treatment of deferred LB58 (Pahls) Change requirements for LB679 (Linehan) Require the Tax compensation by certain political service by publication for delinquent Commissioner to collect lodging taxes subdivisions, state agencies, and the liens arising from city or village special as prescribed Public Employees Retirement Board assessments

PAGE 20 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE February 23 - 26, 2021 Committee Hearings Current hearing schedules are available at: NebraskaLegislature.gov/calendar Further committee information is available at: NebraskaLegislature.gov/committees/standing-committees.php

Tuesday, March 9 offenses, require the Department LB227 (Morfeld) Adopt the Doxing Health & Human Services of Motor Vehicles to establish and Prevention Act and change and provide Room 1510 - 12:30 p.m. maintain an online verification system penalties and a civil action for false YRTC Five-Year Plan Briefing for accessing certain private passenger reporting motor vehicle insurance information, LB370 (Sanders) Adopt the Personal and authorize a disclosure of certain Privacy Protection Act Wednesday, March 10 motor vehicle records Judiciary LB634 (J. Cavanaugh) Provide a cause Room 1113 - 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 12 of action for unsafe disposal of treated Judiciary LB474 (Wishart) Adopt the Medicinal seed Cannabis Act Room 1113 - 9:30 a.m. LB31 (Wayne) Authorize punitive LB276 (Hunt) Eliminate a requirement damages as prescribed and provide for Thursday, March 11 that the physician be physically present Judiciary in the same room when an abortion is distribution n LB397 (Bostelman) Prohibit certain Room 1113 - 1:30 p.m. performed causes of action by motorists without LB199 (Vargas) Adopt the Face liability insurance or convicted of DUI Surveillance Privacy Act

Get Legislative News Online he Unicameral Update print edition is mailed The site provides links to the Update’s Facebook and weekly, while the online version, located at Twitter feeds. Readers may search Update stories T update.legislature.ne.gov, is updated throughout by bill number, senator’s name or keyword using the each legislative day. search box provided in the top-right corner.

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 21 February 23 - 26, 2021 Senator Contact Info

Sen. Raymond Aguilar Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh Sen. Mike Groene Sen. Brett Lindstrom Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks Grand Island, District 35 Omaha, District 6 North Platte, District 42 Omaha, District 18 Lincoln, District 28 Room 1118 11th Floor Room 1302 Room 2015 Room 1016 (402) 471-2617 (402) 471-2714 (402) 471-2729 (402) 471-2618 (402) 471-2633 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist35 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist06 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist42 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist18 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist28

Sen. Joni Albrecht Sen. Robert Clements Sen. Steve Halloran Sen. Lou Ann Linehan Sen. Rita Sanders Thurston, District 17 Elmwood, District 2 Hastings, District 33 Elkhorn, District 39 Bellevue, District 45 Room 1404 Room 1120 Room 1022 Room 1116 Room 1406 (402) 471-2716 (402) 471-2613 (402) 471-2712 (402) 471-2885 (402) 471-2615 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist17 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist02 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist33 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist39 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist45

Sen. John Arch Sen. Jen Day Sen. Ben Hansen Sen. John Lowe Sen. Julie Slama La Vista, District 14 Omaha, District 49 Blair, District 16 Kearney, District 37 Peru, District 1 Room 1402 Room 1018 Room 2010 Room 2011 11th Floor (402) 471-2730 (402) 471-2725 (402) 471-2728 (402) 471-2726 (402) 471-2733 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist14 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist49 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist16 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist37 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist01

Sen. Carol Blood Sen. Wendy DeBoer Sen. Matt Hansen Sen. John McCollister Sen. John Stinner Bellevue, District 3 Bennington, District 10 Lincoln, District 26 Omaha, District 20 Gering, District 48 Room 1021 Room 1114 Room 1015 Room 1017 Room 1004 (402) 471-2627 (402) 471-2718 (402) 471-2610 (402) 471-2622 (402) 471-2802 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist03 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist10 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist26 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist20 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist48

Sen. Eliot Bostar Sen. Myron Dorn Sen. Mike Hilgers Sen. Mike McDonnell Sen. Tony Vargas Lincoln, District 29 Adams, District 30 Lincoln, District 21 Omaha, District 5 Omaha, District 7 Room 1012 11th Floor Room 2103 Room 2107 Room 1000 (402) 471-2734 (402) 471-2620 (402) 471-2673 (402) 471-2710 (402) 471-2721 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist29 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist30 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist21 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist05 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist07

Sen. Bruce Bostelman Sen. Steve Erdman Sen. Robert Hilkemann Sen. Terrell McKinney Sen. Lynne Walz Brainard, District 23 Bayard, District 47 Omaha, District 4 Omaha, District 11 Fremont, District 15 Room 1117 Room 1124 Room 2028 11th Floor Room 1107 (402) 471-2719 (402) 471-2616 (402) 471-2621 (402) 471-2612 (402) 471-2625 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist23 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist47 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist04 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist11 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist15

Sen. Tom Brandt Sen. Michael Flood Sen. Dan Hughes Sen. Adam Morfeld Sen. Justin Wayne Plymouth, District 32 Norfolk, District 19 Venango, District 44 Lincoln, District 46 Omaha, District 13 Room 1528 11th Floor Room 2108 Room 1008 Room 1115 (402) 471-2711 (402) 471-2929 (402) 471-2805 (402) 471-2720 (402) 471-2727 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist32 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist19 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist44 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist46 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist13

Sen. Tom Brewer Sen. Curt Friesen Sen. Megan Hunt Sen. Mike Moser Sen. Matt Williams Gordon, District 43 Henderson, District 34 Omaha, District 8 Columbus, District 22 Gothenburg, District 36 Room 1101 Room 1110 Room 1523 Room 1529 Room 1401 (402) 471-2628 (402) 471-2630 (402) 471-2722 (402) 471-2715 (402) 471-2642 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist43 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist34 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist08 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist22 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist36

Sen. Tom Briese Sen. Suzanne Geist Sen. Mark Kolterman Sen. Dave Murman Sen. Anna Wishart Albion, District 41 Lincoln, District 25 Seward, District 24 Glenvil, District 38 Lincoln, District 27 Room 1019 Room 2000 Room 2004 Room 1522 Room 1308 (402) 471-2631 (402) 471-2731 (402) 471-2756 (402) 471-2732 (402) 471-2632 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist41 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist25 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist24 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist38 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist27

Sen. John Cavanaugh Sen. Tim Gragert Sen. Steve Lathrop Sen. Rich Pahls Omaha, District 9 Creighton, District 40 Omaha, District 12 Omaha, District 31 Room 1306 11th Floor Room 1103 Room 1403 (402) 471-2723 (402) 471-2801 (402) 471-2623 (402) 471-2327 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist09 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist40 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist12 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist31

PAGE 22 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE

Unicameral Information Office PRESRT STD Nebraska Legislature U.S. POSTAGE PAID P.O. Box 94604 LINCOLN, NE Lincoln, NE 68509 PERMIT NO. 212 03-23-05