A Legislator's Guide to Nebraska State Agencies

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

A Legislator's Guide to Nebraska State Agencies A LEGISLATOR'S GUIDE TO NEBRASKA STATE AGENCIES Prepared for the Members of the 106th Nebraska Legislature Prepared by the Nebraska Legislative Fiscal Office 1007 State Capitol Lincoln, Nebraska 68509 (402) 471-2263 December 2018 NEBRASKA LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFFICE Tom Bergquist, Director Mike Lovelace, Deputy Director Fiscal Office Analysts: Scott Danigole Doug Gibbs Jeanne Glenn Phil Hovis Elizabeth Hruska Sam Malson Doug Nichols Keisha Patent Sandy Sostad Kathy Tenopir Malick Diarrassouba Division Executive Assistant: Wanda McNally TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction ............................................................................................................. v Overview of State Government Receipts and Expenditures ......................................... vi Alphabetical Listing of Agency Descriptions by Program: Abstracters' Board of Examiners ............................................................................... 415 Accountability and Disclosure Commission ............................................................... 492 Administrative Services, Department of ..................................................................... 378 Aeronautics, Department of (see Agency 27, Department of Transportation) ............... 198 Agriculture, Department of ........................................................................................ 114 Agriculture, State Board of ........................................................................................ 340 Arts Council, Nebraska ............................................................................................. 423 Attorney General ....................................................................................................... 51 Auditor of Public Accounts ........................................................................................ 47 Banking and Finance, Department of ........................................................................ 120 Barber Examiners, Board of ...................................................................................... 273 Brand Committee, Nebraska ..................................................................................... 267 Community Colleges ................................................................................................. 477 Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education ............................................ 299 Corn Development, Utilization and Marketing Board .................................................. 494 Correctional Services, Department of ......................................................................... 275 Criminal Justice, Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and ............................ 459 Dairy Industry Development Board ............................................................................ 362 Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission ...................................................................... 475 Dry Bean Commission .............................................................................................. 490 Economic Development, Department of ..................................................................... 440 Education, State Department of ................................................................................ 69 Educational Lands and Funds, Board of .................................................................... 232 Educational Telecommunications Commission, Nebraska .......................................... 296 Electrical Board, State .............................................................................................. 224 Energy Office ............................................................................................................ 432 Engineers and Architects, Board of Examiners for Professional .................................. 356 Environmental Quality, Department of ...................................................................... 480 Equal Opportunity Commission ................................................................................ 417 Ethanol Board, Nebraska .......................................................................................... 360 Fire Marshal, State ................................................................................................... 123 Foster Care Review Office .......................................................................................... 428 Game and Parks Commission .................................................................................... 237 Geologists’ Board ...................................................................................................... 358 Governor .................................................................................................................. 32 Grain Sorghum Development, Utilization and Marketing Board .................................. 499 Health and Human Services ...................................................................................... 149 Historical Society, State ............................................................................................ 345 Industrial Relations, Commission of .......................................................................... 456 i Page Insurance, Department of ......................................................................................... 134 Investment Council, Nebraska ................................................................................... 451 Labor, Department of ................................................................................................ 140 Land Surveyors, Board of Examiners for .................................................................... 364 Landscape Architects, Board of Examiners for .......................................................... 447 Latino-Americans Commission .................................................................................. 420 Legislative Council .................................................................................................... 1 Library Commission, Nebraska .................................................................................. 251 Lieutenant Governor ................................................................................................. 36 Liquor Control Commission, Nebraska ...................................................................... 257 Military Department .................................................................................................. 226 Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, Nebraska .................................................... 269 Motor Vehicles, Department of .................................................................................. 144 Natural Resources, Department of ............................................................................. 213 Oil and Gas Conservation Commission ...................................................................... 353 Pardons and Parole, Board of .................................................................................... 96 Patrol, State .............................................................................................................. 368 Power Review Board .................................................................................................. 449 Public Accountancy, State Board of ........................................................................... 366 Public Advocacy, Commission of ................................................................................ 503 Public Service Commission ........................................................................................ 82 Racing Commission, State ......................................................................................... 259 Real Estate Appraisers' Board ................................................................................... 342 Real Estate Commission, State .................................................................................. 271 Retirement Board, Public Employees' ........................................................................ 486 Revenue, Department of ............................................................................................ 99 Roads, Department of ............................................................................................... 196 Secretary of State ...................................................................................................... 39 State Colleges: Chadron, Peru, Wayne ...................................................................... 310 Supreme Court ......................................................................................................... 11 Tax Equalization and Review Commission ................................................................. 501 Tourism Commission, Nebraska ................................................................................ 496 Treasurer, State ........................................................................................................ 59 University of Nebraska .............................................................................................. 324 Veterans' Affairs, Department of ................................................................................ 208 Wheat Board, Nebraska ............................................................................................ 351 Workers' Compensation Court ..................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • The Nebraska Unicameral and Its Lasting Benefits, 76 Neb
    Nebraska Law Review Volume 76 | Issue 4 Article 6 1997 The eN braska Unicameral and Its Lasting Benefits Kim Robak Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nlr Recommended Citation Kim Robak, The Nebraska Unicameral and Its Lasting Benefits, 76 Neb. L. Rev. (1997) Available at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nlr/vol76/iss4/6 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Law, College of at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Nebraska Law Review by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Kim Robak* The Nebraska Unicameral and Its Lasting Benefits TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction .......................................... 791 II. Background ........................................... 793 III. Why and How the Unicameral Works ................. 799 A. Organization ...................................... 800 B. Process ........................................... 802 C. Partisanship ...................................... 804 D. The Lobby ........................................ 804 IV. Why a Nonpartisan Unicameral Is Superior to a Bicameral System ..................................... 805 A. Duplication ....................................... 805 B. Representative and Open Process .................. 809 C. Nonpartisanship .................................. 810 D. Leadership ........................................ 812 E. Lobby ............................................. 814 F. Balance
    [Show full text]
  • Section II LEGISLATURES and LEGISLATION 1. Legislative
    I . s . ^ • -• -y- ;•,.-. • ; ,. ; -, /,. •,;.-.^ •• .. ^ "'• " '-"t- Section II LEGISLATURES AND LEGISLATION 1. Legislative Organization and Services 2. Legislation • .••••.4- J • •••••fe^^r^. • "^VV"/. „._'*; T- Qi A-.. ^!^ 0 1 Legislative Organization and Services -T-^ STRUCTURE AND PROCEDURES HE citizens of the states through their widely from state to state:—in Idaho there Tconstitutions have vested the su- are forty-four Senators to fifty-nine Rep- preme latv-making power in their resentatives; in New Hampshire there are legislatures. They have provided for the twenty-four Senators to 400 RepresenP**' popular election at frequent intervals of atives. *'. those whoxomprise th^ legislative bodies. With two noteworthy exceptions, only Except in Nebraska they have established minor changes have been made by sta|jes two-house legislatures. during the past biennium in the size of. Beyond these common elements, a wide their legislatures. The exceptions ar$ variety of constitutional provisions, stat- Alaska and Hawaii, which became istate^ utory requirements, rules and preceden^ts during the period under review. In the. govern the workings of the state legisla- former the legislature was increased from tures. Together they determine the many forty to sixty members;" in Hawaii, the details of legislative structure, organiza- total went from forty-five to seventy-six. In tion and procedure, the purpose of which both states, the lower house noyf is ahnost is to enable the legislatures to carry out exactly twice as large as the Senate, their responsibilities in an orderly and "In all states legislative terms are either effective manner. two years or four. State Senators in thirty- „ five states—an increatse of three in the past biZE AND lERMs biennium—serve for four ycarsHn fifteen In Nsize American state legislatures (including Nebraska) they serve for two.
    [Show full text]
  • Unicam Kids!: a Visit to Your Nebraska Legislature
    UNICAM KIDS! A Visit to Your Nebraska Legislature guided by George W. Norris, “the father of the Unicameral” Unicam Kids i! I’m George Norris. I represented Nebraska in Congress from 1913 to 1943. Many people call me Hthe father of Nebraska’s Unicameral Legislature. A unicameral is a legislature with just one group of people to make laws. Nebraska has the nation’s only unicameral, which meets here at the Capitol in Lincoln to make laws for the state. I believed this one-house system would serve Nebraskans better than a bicameral, or two-house system, found in every other state. Nebraskans voted to change to a unicameral in 1934, and the first unicameral met in 1937. Let’s go inside. I’ll show you around! Nebraska is unique for its unicameral and also its unusual Capitol building. Architect Bertram Goodhue wanted the Capitol’s design to reflect the spirit of Nebraska’s people. The words and pictures on the outside of the building show Nebraska’s place in the history of law and democracy. The Capitol took 10 years to build and was finished in 1932. The tower rises almost 400 feet and is topped by a 19-foot bronze statue of a man tossing seeds, called “The Sower.” — 1 — A Visit to Your Nebraska Legislature y experience as a lawmaker made me wish for a smoother processM to make laws. I encour- aged Nebraskans to vote for a new, smaller legislature so the process would be simpler and allow for more public input. Some Nebraskans worried about becoming the only unicameral.
    [Show full text]
  • Floor Debate April 19, 2017
    Transcript Prepared By the Clerk of the Legislature Transcriber's Office Floor Debate April 19, 2017 [LB68 LB97 LB145 LB152 LB159 LB167 LB172 LB203 LB223 LB244 LB255A LB257 LB259 LB268 LB323 LB346 LB395 LB409 LB441 LB461 LB478 LB481 LB487 LB509A LB509 LB526 LB578 LB605 LB622 LB661 LR99 LR100 LR101] SPEAKER SCHEER PRESIDING SPEAKER SCHEER: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the George W. Norris Legislative Chamber for the sixty-seventh day of the One Hundred Fifth Legislature, First Session. Our chaplain for today is Father Gary Coulter from Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly, Nebraska, Senator Geist's district. Would you please rise. FATHER COULTER: (Prayer offered.) SPEAKER SCHEER: Thank you, Father Coulter. I call to order the sixty-seventh day of the One Hundred Fifth Legislature, First Session, Senators please record your presence. Roll call. PRESIDENT FOLEY PRESIDING PRESIDENT FOLEY: Mr. Clerk, please record. ASSISTANT CLERK: There is a quorum present, Mr. President. PRESIDENT FOLEY: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Are there any corrections for the Journal? ASSISTANT CLERK: No corrections this morning. PRESIDENT FOLEY: Thank you, sir. Are there any messages, reports, or announcements? ASSISTANT CLERK: I have no messages, reports, or announcements. PRESIDENT FOLEY: While the Legislature is in session and capable of transacting business, I propose to sign and do hereby sign LR99, LR100, and LR101. We'll now proceed to the first item on the agenda, General File, 2017, committee priority bill. Mr. Clerk. [LR99 LR100 LR101] 1 Transcript Prepared By the Clerk of the Legislature Transcriber's Office Floor Debate April 19, 2017 ASSISTANT CLERK: Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Legislative Resolution 118
    LR118 LR118 2021 2021 ONE HUNDRED SEVENTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION 118 Introduced by Hunt, 8. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE ONE HUNDRED SEVENTH LEGISLATURE OF NEBRASKA, FIRST SESSION: 1. That we hereby reaffirm our solemn oaths of office by expressing a firm resolution to defend the United States Capitol, the sacred symbol of our democracy, against every act of sedition and insurrection, whether from citizens of the United States or their elected officials. 2. That we are greatly alarmed that a factious and treasonous spirit manifested on January 6, 2021, in a violent attack on the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., and that such insurrection was spurred by influences emanating from some members of the United States Congress and former President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, with a desire to sow discord among the citizenry and to destroy the outcome of the free and fair election that resulted in the election of President Joseph R. Biden. 3. That we further protest against the actions of the mob of citizens who committed countless criminal acts resulting in incalculable property damage; caused physical injuries to many, including brave first responders; and brought about tragic loss of life, including an officer of the United States Capitol Police. We also protest the words of elected officials in the state legislatures and the United States Congress which sought to incite such mob. 4. That we express distress at the knowledge that this insurrection was fueled by lies and misinformation and an official abuse of power by some local, state, and federal leaders, including Nebraska's Attorney General, Nebraska's Secretary of State, and Nebraska's Governor, who used the powers and privileges of their offices, granted by the people themselves, as well as state resources, to file frivolous partisan lawsuits designed to usurp the democratic process.
    [Show full text]
  • Courthouse Sculptor Lee Lawrie Paul D
    Stanford Newel, Proposal Rock, and Newell Park Widows Newell Park Celebrates Its Centennial Winter 2009 Volume 43, Number 4 Page 11 Courthouse Sculptor Lee Lawrie Paul D. Nelson —Page 3 Two of Lee Lawrie’s architectural sculptures, Liberty (top) and The People, on the façade of the St. Paul City Hall and Ramsey County Courthouse, Fourth Street entrance. Photo courtesy of Paul D. Nelson. RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY RAMSEY COUNTY Executive Director Priscilla Farnham Founding Editor (1964–2006) Virginia Brainard Kunz Editor Hıstory John M. Lindley Volume 43, Number 4 Winter 2009 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY the mission statement of the ramsey county historical society BOARD OF DIRECTORS adopted by the board of directors on December 20, 2007: J. Scott Hutton The Ramsey County Historical Society inspires current and future generations Past President Thomas H. Boyd to learn from and value their history by engaging in a diverse program President of presenting, publishing and preserving. Paul A. Verret First Vice President Joan Higinbotham Second Vice President C O N T E N T S Julie Brady Secretary 3 Courthouse Sculptor Carolyn J. Brusseau Lee Lawrie Treasurer Norlin Boyum, Anne Cowie, Nancy Paul D. Nelson Randall Dana, Cheryl Dickson, Charlton Dietz, Joanne A. Englund, William Frels, 11 Stanford Newel, Proposal Rock, and Newell Park Widows Howard Guthmann, John Holman, Elizabeth Kiernat, Judith Frost Lewis, Rev. Kevin M. Newell Park Celebrates Its Centennial McDonough, Laurie M. Murphy, Richard H. Nichol son, Marla Ordway, Marvin J. Pertzik, Krista Finstad Hanson Jay Pfaender, Ralph Thrane, Richard Wilhoit. Directors Emeriti 20 Growing Up in St. Paul W.
    [Show full text]
  • Office of Dispute Resolution, ODR Approved Mediation Centers, and NMA
    Nebraska Office of Dispute Resolution, ODR Approved Mediation Centers, and NMA NE Office of Dispute Resolution Nebraska State Capitol, 12th Floor, 1445 “K” Street P.O. Box 98910 Lincoln, NE 68509; FAX: (402) 471-3071 https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/programs-services/mediation Debora S. Denny, Director; (402) 471-2766; Email: [email protected] Christina Paulson, Program Analyst; (402) 471-2911; Email: [email protected] Rachel Lempka; Administrative Secretary; (402) 471-3148; Email: [email protected] Central Mediation Center Mediation West 412 W. 48th Street, Suite 22, P.O. Box 838 Office: 210 West 27th Street / Mail: P.O. Box 427 Kearney, NE 68845 Conference Center: 220 W 27th Street TEL (308) 237-4692 and (800) 203-3452 Scottsbluff, NE 69363-0427 FAX (308) 237-5027 TEL (308) 635-2002 and (800) 967-2115 Email: [email protected] FAX (308) 635-2420 www.centralmediationcenter.com www.mediationwest.org Contact: Melissa Gaines Johnson, Executive Director (ext.14) Contact: Charles Lieske, Executive Director Denise Haupt, Office Services Coordinator (ext. 10) [email protected] Paty Reyes-Covalt, Project Coordinator (ext. 11) Kathy Gabrielle-Madelung, Operations Director Farah Greenwald, Program Coordinator (ext. 12) [email protected] Amanda Rodriguez, Family Case Manager (ext. 13) Mary Sheffield, Case Manager Elizabeth Troyer-Miller, Conflict Specialist (ext. 17) [email protected] Mary Rose Richter, RJ Director / PA Mediator George Thackeray, Assistant Case Manager [email protected]
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 Facilities Management Information Report
    Facilities Management Information Report Vice President for Business and Finance Facilities Planning & Management June 30, 2020 Table of Contents Number of Pages Preface 1 Building Inventory Summary 2 Land Inventory Summary 1 Outdoor Recreation and Athletic Facilities Summary 1 Building Inventory 27 Kearney (UNK) Lincoln (UNL) City & East Campus Nebraska Innovation Campus Other Nebraska Locations Institute of Agricultural and Natural Resources Medical Center (UNMC) Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) Omaha (UNO) UN Central Administration (UNCA) Land Inventory 2 Outdoor Recreation and Athletic Facilities Inventory 1 Campus Maps 9 UNK UNL UNMC NCTA UNO Glossary 2 Facilities Management Information Report Preface The following report contains data on Buildings, Land and Outdoor Recreation and Athletic Facilities in service at the University of Nebraska as of June 30, 2020. This report provides management information and also serves as the basis for property insurance for University Facilities. Replacement costs include the construction cost (labor, materials, supervision, contractor's overhead and profit), fixed equipment, insurance and professional fees. It does not include the cost of movable equipment, land acquisition, artwork, utilities beyond the 5 foot line, sitework or the cost of moving. Fire insurance exclusions may allow for the reduction of the replacement cost by the cost of excavation and foundations below ground. This information will be updated every year by representatives of the University of Nebraska campuses
    [Show full text]
  • S U M M E R 2019
    SUMMER 2019 Today is the day to stop saying “someday.” Felicia Webb, Graduate Social Gerontology, BGS & Master’s University of Nebraska at Omaha My today started when I realized dreams don’t have a time limit. At 48 years old, I decided to go back to school. As soon as I reached out to the University of Nebraska at Omaha they grabbed my hand. The professors were all willing to help. Before, I thought my education was something I couldn’t attain. I was busy trying to make a living; I wasn’t smart enough. But one day I felt smart enough to try and never looked back. With my online program I felt like I was in classroom with other classmates, but from within the four walls of my home. I did my schoolwork everywhere: airports, traveling, at home. Wherever I was, I was walking into a classroom and never felt alone. The impact of the people I’ve never met face to face is just as strong as if I’d stood there and shook their hands. 125+ online programs. online.nebraska.edu SUMMER 2019 IN EVERY ISSUE 4 From the Chancellor 10 5 Letters to the Editor 6 From the Editor 7 Alumni Association 22 10 Philanthropy Matters 14 The Colleges 20 Athletics 26 52 Class Notes 55 Future Alums 56 Sights & Sounds 58 For Fun 30 FEATURES 22 Getting Serious About Comics 38 26 Walking Works of Art 30 Art House 38 Witness 42 Art of Preservation 46 46 Artists at Work SUMMERVOL. 10, NO. 2 www.unoalumni.org/unomag UNO MAGAZINE is a publication of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the UNO Alumni Association and the University of Nebraska Foundation.
    [Show full text]
  • April 12, 2021 Dr. Michael Baumgartner Executive Director
    April 12, 2021 Dr. Michael Baumgartner Executive Director Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education 140 N. 8th Street, Suite 300 Lincoln, NE 68509 Dear Michael: Enclosed is a copy of the proposal to establish the Center for Biomedical Informatics Research and Innovation to be jointly administered by UNMC and UNO. The proposal was approved by the Board of Regents at the April 9, 2021 meeting. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Sincerely, Susan M. Fritz, PhD Executive Vice President and Provost Enclosure c: Chancellor Jeffrey Gold Senior Vice Chancellor Dele Davies, UNMC Senior Vice Chancellor Sacha Kopp, UNO Vice Chancellor Jennifer Larsen, UNMC Associate Vice Chancellor Ken Bayles, UNO Vice Provost David Jackson Executive Vice President and Provost Varner Hall | 3835 Holdrege Street | Lincoln, NE 68583-0743 | 402.472.5242 | FAX: 402.472.4240 | nebraska.edu TO: The Board of Regents Addendum XI-A-8 Academic Affairs Committee MEETING DATE: April 9, 2021 SUBJECT: Establishment of the Center for Biomedical Informatics Research and Innovation to be jointly administered by the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska at Omaha RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approval to establish the Center for Biomedical Informatics Research and Innovation (CBIRI) to be jointly administered by the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) PREVIOUS ACTION: January 25, 2013 – The Board approved the joint Master of Science/PhD in Biomedical Informatics at UNO and UNMC. April 24, 2004 – The Board approved the Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics in the College of Arts and Science and the College of Information Science and Technology at UNO EXPLANATION: Biomedical informatics (BMI) has become a critical part of biomedical research due to the nature of data collection, storage, curation, analysis, and inference involved.
    [Show full text]
  • Board of Regents
    Board of Regents Meeting Agenda Varner Hall Board Room 3835 Holdrege Street Lincoln, NE, 68583-0745 Friday, March 31, 2017 10:00 a.m. 1 UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA BOARD OF REGENTS ITINERARY FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017 ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE 8:30 A.M. NU Pipeline Programs [60 minutes] UNL Rural Law Opportunities Program (RLOP), Richard Moberly, Interim Dean, College of Law UNK Engineering, Charlie Bicak, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs UNO Urban Health Opportunities Program (UHOP), Deborah Smith- Howell, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs UNMC High School Alliance, Dele Davies, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and Heidi Kaschke, Program Coordinator of the UNMC High School Alliance; Students Elias Witt and Autumn Breazile STUDENT REGENTS 9:30 A.M. Topic: Campus Updates from Student Regents [20 minutes] Presenters: Rachel Flaugh, UNK; Spencer Hartman, UNL; Daniel Cloonan, UNMC; Patrick Davlin, UNO 9:50 A.M. BREAK 10:00 A.M. BOARD OF REGENTS MEETING Kudos Awards Presented Resolutions of Recognition Closed Session 2 3 AGENDA THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA Varner Hall, 3835 Holdrege Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0745 Friday, March 31, 2017 10:00 a.m. I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND RATIFICATION OF ACTIONS TAKEN ON JANUARY 27, 2017 IV. KUDOS Elizabeth Cullinane, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry Brenda West, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Sharon Waller, University of Nebraska at Kearney Rachael Jensen, University of Nebraska at Omaha V. RESOLUTIONS Recognition for Regent Rachel Flaugh, University of Nebraska at Kearney Recognition for Regent Spencer Hartman, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Recognition for Regent Daniel Cloonan, University of Nebraska Medical Center Recognition for Regent Patrick Davlin, University of Nebraska at Omaha VI.
    [Show full text]
  • Legislative Bill 406
    LB406 LB406 2021 2021 LEGISLATIVE BILL 406 Approved by the Governor May 25, 2021 Introduced by McDonnell, 5; Gragert, 40; Flood, 19; Lindstrom, 18; Sanders, 45. A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to natural resources; to state legislative findings; to create the Statewide Tourism And Recreational Water Access and Resource Sustainability Special Committee of the Legislature; to provide powers and duties; to provide a termination date for the committee; and to declare an emergency. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska, Section 1. The Legislature finds and declares as follows: (1) The future vibrancy of the people, communities, and businesses of Nebraska depends on reliable sources of water; (2) While it is in the state's best interest to retain control over its water supplies, much of the state's water resources are currently underutilized; (3) Well-planned flood control is critical to the future of the people, communities, and businesses of Nebraska; (4) The state's water resources provide economic benefit to the people, communities, and businesses of Nebraska by helping to attract visitors from other states and boost local economies; (5) Nebraska has tremendous water resources across the state, including, but not limited to, the Ogallala Aquifer, Lake McConaughy, the Platte River, the Republican River, and the Missouri River. The state's lakes and rivers help Nebraskans enjoy the water resources in our state and make Nebraska an even more attractive place to live and raise a family; (6) In light of the disruption from the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and the trend toward a remote workforce around the country, people around the country are rethinking where they want to work, live, and raise a family.
    [Show full text]