UNICAMERAL UPDATE Stories published daily at Update.Legislature.ne.gov Vol. 39, Issue 6 / Feb. 8 - 11, 2016 Transitional health Seat belts proposed for insurance proposed all vehicle occupants ll occupants in a vehicle would be required to wear seat belts A under a bill heard by the Transportation and Telecommunica- tions Committee Feb. 9. Currently, not wearing a seat belt is enforced only as a secondary of- fense when the driver is pulled over for a primary offense, such as speed- ing. LB669, intro- duced by Omaha Sen. Bob Krist, would make the Sen. John McCollister said LB1032 would bring tax dollars back to to help the state’s working poor. state’s current seat new option to provide cover- qualify for Medicaid but too little to belt requirement age for uninsured Nebraskans qualify for insurance premium tax a primary offense, A was discussed Feb. 10 in the credits under the ACA. rather than sec- Sen. Bob Krist Health and Human Services Commit- “It’s estimated that two-thirds of ondary, for all vehicle occupants. tee. Several proposals in recent years this uninsured population are the Krist said that Nebraska is one of to access federal Medicaid funds avail- working poor in Nebraska,” he said, only 16 states that does not have a able to Nebraska under the Affordable “and over half of these people come primary seat belt law. Care Act (ACA) have stalled during from rural areas.” “There has been a notable increase floor debate. LB1032 would require the state in traffic deaths in recent years. Of LB1032, sponsored by Omaha Department of Health and Human the 189 killed in Nebraska in 2014, Sen. John McCollister, would create Services (DHHS) to apply for a Med- almost 70 percent were not wearing the Transitional Health Insurance icaid waiver within 14 months of the a seat belt,” he said. “If we are truly Program (THIP) as an alternative bill’s effective date. Under the waiver, serious about public safety, we need to means of providing health coverage to individuals ineligible for Medicaid pay attention to those that are driving the approximately 77,000 uninsured with incomes below 133 percent of the [without seat belts].” Nebraskans who are newly eligible federal poverty level would be enrolled Rose White, representing AAA under the ACA. in private health insurance through a Nebraska, supported the bill, calling McCollister said the plan would premium assistance model in which the state’s current seat belt law “weak.” utilize the private health insurance Medicaid dollars are leveraged to pur- “Legislators in other states have market to ensure coverage for indi- chase private health plans. recognized that the implementation viduals who fall into the “coverage McCollister said the plan would of evidence-based policies like primary gap”—those who earn too much to provide eligibility in two additional seat belt laws truly benefit the citizens (continued page 3) (continued page 2)

INSIDE: Funds sought for health centers • Police pursuit changes advanced • Hearing schedule February 8 - 11, 2016

Unicameral Youth Legislature Seat belts igh school students with an Registrants are encouraged to interest in law, government, apply for a Speaker Greg Adams proposed for Hleadership or public speaking are Civic Scholarship award, which encouraged to register for the covers the full cost of admission. all vehicle 2016 Unicameral Youth Legisla- Applicants must submit a short ture, which will convene June 5-8. essay. Other $100 scholarships are also available. occupants The Unicameral Youth Legislature is (continued from front page) a four-day legislative simulation con- The University of Nebraska– of the state,” White said. “[LB669] ducted at the State Capitol Building Lincoln’s Extension 4-H Youth would allow Nebraskans to realize the and coordinated by the Clerk’s Office Development Office coordinates law’s maximum potential and make it of the . Student housing and recreational activities a primary offense.” senators will sponsor bills, conduct for the camp as part of their Big Bruce Beins, representing the Ne- committee hearings, debate legisla- Red Summer Camps program. braska Emergency Medical Services tion and discover the unique process Association, also supported the bill. of the nation’s only unicameral. Registration forms can be obtained “If you’re not a seat belt proponent from the Legislature’s Unicameral Students will learn about the inner Youth Legislature page: when you [start a career as a first re- workings of the Legislature directly www.NebraskaLegislature.gov/uyl. sponder], you will be one very quickly,” from senators and staff. Bills will be he said. “One of the functions the gov- based on legislation considered dur- The registration deadline is May 15. ernment has is protecting the public ing the current legislative session. and I do think we need to protect the public in this case.” George Ferebee, of Edgar, opposed the bill. Rather than a seat belt man- date, he said, the state’s focus should be on providing better driver educa- tion to new drivers so accidents can be prevented in the first place. The committee took no immediate action on the bill. g

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 and follow us on Twitter.com/UnicamUpdate.

Clerk of the Legislature: Patrick J. O’Donnell Editor: Heidi Uhing; Writers: Kyle Harpster, Kate Heltzel, Ami Johnson; Photographer: Bess Ghormley

Printed copies of bills, resolutions and the Legislative Journal are available at the State Capitol room 1104, or by calling 402-471-2709 or 800-742-7456. Status of bills and resolutions can be requested at that number or can be found on NebraskaLegislature.gov. Live video of hearings and floor debate can be viewed on NET2 and at NetNebraska.org/capitol.

Senators may be contacted by mail at this address: Senator Name, District #, State Capitol, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604

Assistance provided by the Clerk of the Legislature’s Office, the Legislative Technology Center, committee clerks, legal counsels, journal clerks, pages, transcribers, mail room and bill room staff and the State Print Shop. THE NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE’S OFFICIAL NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1977

PAGE 2 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 104TH LEGISLATURE February 8 - 11, 2016

Transitional health insurance proposed (continued from front page) ways. An individual whose employer Lancaster County spent approximately to implement and could impair the pays no less than 50 percent of the $10 million on the medical needs of division’s ability to provide quality total cost of the employee’s coverage general assistance clients,” she said, care for those who already qualify for would receive assistance in purchasing adding that local government uses Medicaid benefits. employer-sponsored insurance. property tax funds to cover those costs. “My responsibility is to our enrollees Additionally, participants exempt “This bill provides an opportunity and to the taxpayers,” Lynch said. “I from enrollment in premium assis- to lower property taxes by maximizing want to be able to deliver better value tance, including individuals who are the use of federal funds,” Amundson for the dollars that are invested and determined to be medically frail, would said. “We cannot afford to miss this we’re working every day to do that.” be enrolled in Medicaid coverage. opportunity.” Jim Vokal, chief executive officer Program participants with incomes Paulette Jones also supported the of the Platte Institute for Economic over 50 percent of the federal poverty bill, saying she is one of the 77,000 Research, also opposed the bill. He level would be required to contribute Nebraskans who fall into the coverage said 58 percent of the individuals 2 percent of their monthly household gap. Jones said her income currently that the bill would provide coverage income as a premium, along with an en- puts her $42 over the limit to qualify for for already are insured or are eligible hanced copayment for nonemergency Medicaid, which makes it difficult to for private insurance under the ACA. emergency room use. manage her chronic health conditions. Placing them in a program that is more The bill also would refer partici- “I worked my family off of the expensive than traditional Medicaid pants to employment and education [public benefit] system and showed coverage—and that is funded by tax- programs and create a pilot program them the importance of self-reliance,” payers—is the wrong solution, he said. that would provide education and she said. “I am currently applying for Vokal predicted that approximately skills training targeted at specific state and interviewing for jobs and I need 14,000 Nebraskans would drop out workforce needs. The bill calls for data to be healthy.” of the workforce to access the bill’s collection and analysis of whether Andy Hale, representing the Ne- provisions. providing health insurance impacts braska Hospital Association, also “We would all like to close the the ability of individuals to transition supported LB1032, saying states that coverage gap by providing more afford- off of public assistance programs. have expanded Medicaid have seen able options,” Vokal said. “[But this As a result, McCollister said, an increase in health care jobs and a bill] would trap more Nebraskans in LB1032 would encourage and sup- decrease in uncompensated care. In welfare dependency through no fault port innovation and health care best addition, he said, the uninsured rate of their own.” practices in Nebraska. for low-wage workers has dropped. The committee took no immediate “We contend that we’re offering “The states that expanded Medic- action on LB1032. g the country’s best Medicaid expansion aid in 2014 saw a 25 percent reduction plan,” McCollister said. in the number of uninsured workers,” The program would be suspended Hale said. “Changes in Medicaid should federal funding fall below 90 should be motivated by the needs of percent. patients, not by politics.” Roma Amundson, testifying on Calder Lynch, director of Medicaid behalf of the Lancaster County Board and Long-term Care for DHHS, testi- of Commissioners, supported the bill. fied in opposition to the bill, citing She said LB1032 would eliminate both fiscal and policy concerns. almost all of the cost to counties Lynch said that an actuarial report for the health care services that they commissioned by the department esti- are required to provide for indigent mates the bill’s cost at nearly $1 billion residents. over the next 10 years. In addition, he “During the last five fiscal years, said, the program would be complex

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across the nation, she said, making Division of Health Services. access to healthy food more difficult. The department would be required Data on rural Nebraska grocery stores to send quarterly reports to the governor is not available, she said, but in Iowa more and the Legislature on how it uses the Fund would increase access than 43 percent of grocery stores in towns money, what impact it has on recruitment to healthy food with less than 1,000 people have closed. and retention and how the department In Kansas, 38 percent of grocery stores in would use such funds in the future. A bill heard by the Agriculture Com- towns with less than 2,500 people closed In a recent survey of corrections mittee Feb. 9 would create a financing between 2006 and 2009. staff by the Office of Inspector Gen- program intended to increase under- Small stores could receive grants for eral of the Nebraska Correctional served Nebraskans’ access to fresh fruits distribution projects that would make System, Watermeier said, 68 percent and vegetables and other healthy food. it easier for them to stock fresh fruits of respondents said giving annual LB945, introduced by Lincoln Sen. and vegetables, she said. raises would be the biggest change , would provide $150,000 Kathy Siefken, representing the the department could make to better to the program for Nebraska Grocery Industry Associa- retain employees. fiscal year 2016- tion, testified in opposition to the bill, Watermeier said the department 2017 and again for saying that it could exacerbate the had 203 vacant positions in December, FY2017-2018. The problem it intends to solve. Funding 62 of them at Tecumseh State Correc- state Department food cooperatives or farmers’ markets tional Institution. When asked about of Economic De- that compete with small rural grocery coworkers who had quit their jobs, he velopment would stores, which operate on thin margins, said, 42 percent of respondents said contract with com- Sen. Matt Hansen could force them to close, she said. that pay was the main reason. munity development entities, which The committee took no immediate The proposed increase in funding would award grants for eligible projects action on the bill. would help reduce staff turnover and such as grocery store renovations and improve morale at all of the state’s the creation of farmers’ markets, food correctional facilities, he said. cooperatives and community gardens. “I feel that we need to help the De- The bill also would set aside up partment of Corrections, specifically to $60,000 for the University of Ne- at Tecumseh, not next year or [in] five braska to conduct a study that would Funds proposed for years but now,” he said. identify areas in Nebraska with limited corrections staff Mike Marvin, executive director of access to healthy food. the Nebraska Association of Public Em- Hansen said that approximately The state would use $2.5 million ployees, spoke in support of the bill but 325,000 Nebraskans live in food from its general fund to recruit and re- said he hopes most of the money would deserts—areas that lack easy access to tain state Department of Correctional be used for retention instead of recruit- affordable and nutritious food. He Services staff under a bill heard by the ment. He said the department hired ap- said limited access to healthy food Appropriations Committee Feb. 10. proximately 600 employees last year, but affects rural and urban areas and Introduced the state’s correctional facilities still are disproportionately affects low-income by Syracuse Sen. understaffed because of high turnover. and minority communities. Dan Watermeier, “The Department of Correctional “Lack of access to healthy, af- LB733 is intend- Services has no problem hiring em- fordable food ultimately contributes ed to help the de- ployees,” Marvin said. “They have a to higher societal costs including partment recruit problem retaining employees.” increased public costs for providing and retain staff Corrections Director Scott Frakes health services,” Hansen said. in areas that face Sen. Dan Watermeier spoke in a neutral capacity. He said the Traci Bruckner, speaking for the shortages. At least 10 percent of the department is trying to address staff Center for Rural Affairs, testified in money would be set aside to recruit shortages by hiring a full-time recruiter support of the bill. Research shows staff—including psychiatrists, psycholo- and using social media, advertising that rural grocery stores are closing gists and nurses—to the department’s and job fairs. Frakes said he cannot

PAGE 4 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 104TH LEGISLATURE February 8 - 11, 2016 unilaterally raise employees’ salaries “Now more than ever—with our direct primary care agreement and or offer them bonuses because any uninsured numbers skyrocketing—we clarify that direct primary care agree- changes in compensation must be must help support them to serve this ments are not insurance. negotiated with the employees’ union. vital role,” he said, adding that the Ralston Sen. Merv Riepe intro- “I struggle at this time with how to seven health care centers saved the duced LB817 and utilize these funds in an efficient way state’s health care system more than has made it his to permanently address this complex $87 million last year. priority bill for the issue,” he said. Andrea Skolkin, testifying on be- session. He said the No one spoke in opposition to the half of the Health Center Association proposal would pro- bill and the committee took no im- of Nebraska, supported the bill. vide clear legislative mediate action on it. “Nebraska’s federally qualified health guidance for the centers provide comprehensive, com- state Department Sen. Merv Riepe Funds sought for federally munity-based, culturally appropriate of Insurance that direct primary care qualified health centers primary and preventative care,” Skolkin agreements do not constitute insurance said, adding that over half of the centers’ or function as a qualified health plan The Appropriations Committee patients are uninsured. The centers, pursuant to any federal mandate. heard testimony Feb. 8 on a bill that which are located across the state, keep “Fee for service health care is not would provide funds for health centers low-income and uninsured patients working in the United States, and that to expand their capacity. from visiting emergency rooms, she said. includes Nebraska,” Riepe said. “One Under LB923, introduced by Jeff Tracy of Community Action part of the fix for health care delivery Gering Sen. John Partnership of Western Nebraska, also is direct primary care.” Stinner, the state’s testified in favor of the bill. One of the Direct primary care is a medical care seven federally most pressing needs of patients seen by delivery model involving a contract qualified health the panhandle provider is oral health between a patient and a primary care centers would re- care, he said, yet the current wait for practitioner in which the patient pays a ceive a total of $5 a nonemergency dental appointment monthly retainer for unlimited office vis- million in addi- is nearly three months. its and an annual physical exam, he said. tional general fund Sen. “Access to high-quality, affordable The bill would not mandate that appropriations in fiscal year 2016-17. health care plays a critical role in practitioners engage in primary care The bill would divide $1.4 mil- ensuring that Nebraskans are success- practices, Riepe said, but merely would lion equally among the centers, ful,” Tracy said. “The difficulty in not establish the concept in state law and with $200,000 provided to each. An expanding those services—or funding provide clarity moving forward. additional $1.2 million would be dis- this bill—is that you leave a lot of indi- Under the bill, a practitioner in a tributed proportionally to the centers viduals unserved, who end up costing direct primary care agreement would based on the total number of patients the state a lot more money.” be prohibited from billing a patient served in the previous year. Finally, No one testified in opposition to in any form for primary care services $2.4 million would be distributed pro- LB923 and the committee took no provided under the contract. It also portionally based upon the number immediate action on it. would require a practitioner to pro- of uninsured patients served by each vide 60 days’ notice in advance of any center in the previous year. changes to the contract. Stinner noted that the state’s Robert Wergin, board chairperson current budget outlook will require of the American Academy of Family difficult funding choices, but said Physicians, testified in support of the federally qualified health centers are bill. Surveys suggest that physicians an important investment in Nebraska. Direct primary care bill introduced who practice direct primary care have The centers cannot turn patients much higher job satisfaction, he said. away, he said, and failing to provide Members of the Banking, Com- “I think it really brings the joy of adequate funding to them will cost merce and Insurance Committee practice back to family physicians,” the state in other ways. heard testimony Feb. 9 on a bill that Wergin said. “They’re back [to being] would specify the requirements of a

104TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 5 February 8 - 11, 2016

focused on the patient—not on paper- “Every day thousands of officers go reduce state aid to schools and place work, not on rules and regulations.” to work and put their lives in harm’s restrictions on school budgets. Clint Flanagan, a direct primary way for the sake of public safety,” he Introduced by Cedar Rapids Sen. care physician in Colorado, agreed. said. “We need to do everything we Kate Sullivan on Testifying in support of the bill, he can to ensure the financial stability of behalf of Gov. Pete said physicians currently spend as their families.” Ricketts, LB959 is in- much as 30 to 40 percent of their time A qualifying family member must tended to ease prop- on billing and administrative work re- file for compensation within one year erty taxes, which are lated to fee for service practice, which of the death of a law enforcement the main source of leads to low job satisfaction. officer or firefighter. For responders funding for Nebras- Patients who use direct primary care killed in 2016, compensation provided ka’s K-12 schools. Sen. Kate Sullivan supplement it with a high-deductible would total $50,000. For each follow- The bill would change the state’s health insurance plan, he said, which ing year, the compensation would be school aid formula, resulting in ap- can be used for things such as a hospital equal to the previous year’s compensa- proximately $3.5 million less state stay, hip replacement or extensive can- tion multiplied by the consumer price aid to schools in fiscal year 2017-2018. cer treatment. He said the average per index for all urban consumers. It also would limit schools’ budget month fee across the country for direct Jason Cvitanov, Bellevue Police growth and the amount of unused primary care is approximately $60. Officers Association president, spoke budget authority they can carry over “If you can afford a cell phone, you in favor of the bill. from year to year. Several levy excep- can afford what we do,” Flanagan said. “After the initial shock wears off, tions that school boards can use to No one testified in opposition to there’s a family left with a huge loss and fund capital projects without voter the bill and the committee took no a life they must return to,” Cvitanov approval would be removed. immediate action on it. said, adding that a first responder’s LB959 also would limit the budget income often is a family’s only income. growth of educational service units Compensation first would be dis- and the bond authority of community tributed to any person designated by colleges. the public safety officer to receive the Sullivan said the bill would control compensation. If there is no designated school spending without removing Compensation proposed for person or that person is not alive at the local control of school budgets or first responders’ families time, compensation would be distrib- sacrificing quality in public education. uted according to a legally binding will. “In my estimation [the bill] allows Families of first responders killed in In the absence of a legally binding education to be a part of the solution the line of duty would receive an addi- will, compensation would be distrib- because they are the biggest users of tional benefit under a bill heard by the uted first to a surviving spouse, surviv- the property tax dollars,” she said. Business and Labor Committee Feb. 8. ing descendants, surviving parents or Gov. Pete Ricketts spoke in sup- LB836, introduced by Omaha surviving siblings, in that order. port of the bill, saying that 60 to 75 Sen. Heath Mello, No one testified in opposition to percent of the state’s property taxes would provide mon- the bill and the committee took no and about 27 percent of the state’s etary compensation immediate action on it. overall budget is used to fund K-12 to the family of a education. Ricketts said the bill would police officer, cor- make incremental changes to school rectional officer or budgets to control spending and help firefighter killed in reduce property taxes. the line of duty, in- Sen. Heath Mello “Nebraskans are committed to cluding the family of those who work School budget limitations public education,” he said. “But we on a voluntary basis. proposed also need to balance that out with the Mello said eight first responders responsibility to the taxpayers.” have been killed while in the line of The Education Committee heard Rod Hollman, a farmer from Mar- duty in the past 16 years. testimony Feb. 9 on a bill that would tell, spoke in support of the bill. He

PAGE 6 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 104TH LEGISLATURE February 8 - 11, 2016 said his property taxes increased 130 rently, some employer contributions programs like Head Start or by submit- percent over the last five years. Retired for retirement expenses are excluded ting an income-based meal application. farmers and ranchers who rent out from school districts’ general budgets. Schools that participate in the federal their land have been hit the hardest LB959 would place those expenses un- provision are not required to collect by property tax increases over the last der the general budget limit. Ralston those applications, resulting in fewer re- few years, Hollman added. Public Schools, where Richards serves corded recipients of the program. This “I’ve never seen landowners so as a board member, would need to cut is problematic for schools, as state aid frustrated and angry as I have over 10 teachers to offset the $472,000 in is calculated, in part, on the percentage this,” he said. retirement expenses that would fall of students in this program. Mary Lou Block, a farmer from under the budget limit, she said. Both bills would increase by 10 Gothenburg, also testified in support Virgil Harden, executive director percent the number of students in- of the bill. The valuation of her farm of business for Grand Island Public cluded in that calculation for schools increased 37 percent last year, she Schools, also spoke against the bill. that implement the provision, helping said, with a corresponding increase in He said his district has a high propor- schools maintain their state funding. property taxes. She said it takes most tion of students in poverty and a large LB1004 would offer schools the option of her income as a part-time dietician special education program. He said of using that multiplier or the number to pay her property tax bill. Block said the district’s budget must grow faster of students who qualified for free meals controlling school spending would be than the 2.5 percent that would be in the most recent fiscal year for which one step toward giving farmers and allowed under the bill. data is available, whichever is greater. ranchers property tax relief. “We spend the money to meet the LB1004 also would require the “I know that this is only one piece needs of our children,” Harden said. state Department of Education to pro- to the puzzle,” she said. “Reining in “And 2.5 percent does not cut it.” mote the federal provision to eligible spending is incredibly important.” The committee took no immediate schools and help them implement it. Mike Lucas, superintendent of action on the bill. LB1065 would change a provision York Public Schools, testified in op- allowing parents voluntarily to provide position to the bill. He said school Schools would maintain aid information—other than on a school spending has increased by an average for free meals lunch application—that would deter- of 3.5 percent annually over the last mine a child’s qualification for free decade and the percentage of the The Education Committee heard or reduced-priced meals. Sullivan said state budget used for education has two bills Feb. 8 that are intended to schools that implement the provision decreased. maintain state aid to schools for free are not required to collect financial “School spending is not the prob- student meals. information but, if parents wish to lem,” Lucas said. “We have a school LB1004, introduced by Omaha provide it, the information also can funding problem.” Sen. Tanya Cook, be used to qualify a student for other Lucas said the bill would impact a and LB1065, in- financial benefits such as fee waivers, fund that schools use to pay for mold troduced by Cedar scholarships and transportation for prevention and abatement projects, Rapids Sen. Kate option-enrolled students. safety code upgrades, air quality con- Sullivan, would help Cook said the provision reduces the trol and the removal of environmental Nebraska schools administrative burden on schools and hazards. Schools levy additional mon- implement a federal leads to better nourished children. It is ey to pay for that fund, which currently provision that al- Sen. Tanya Cook being underused because schools with sits outside the general levy schools lows schools with high poverty rates high poverty rates fear they will lose use to pay for operating expenses. to provide free breakfast and lunch to state funding if they implement the pro- LB959 would place that fund within all students without the need for an gram under current statute, she said. the general levy limit, forcing schools application. Schools that qualify for “It is imperative that we enable to cut staff and programs, Lucas said. the provision have at least 40 percent schools to implement this eligibility Linda Richards, speaking on behalf of their students in poverty. provision without adversely impacting of the Nebraska Association of School Currently, students qualify for free their state aid,” Cook said. Boards, also opposed the bill. Cur- meals if they already participate in James Goddard, director of eco-

104TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 7 February 8 - 11, 2016 nomic justice programs at Nebraska Sen. Burke Harr, materials and provide space for virtual Appleseed, testified in support of both would define “vir- students to take state assessments. If bills. He said more than 100 schools tual school” as any the program succeeds, she said, OPS in Nebraska are eligible for the federal school or educa- may expand it to the high school level. provision but only 5 percent of eligible tional program that “We think it’s a good way to move students participate in the program is offered for credit forward with our current education so far. Goddard said the provision in and uses primarily system,” Knoche said. LB1004 allowing schools to choose Internet-based dis- Sen. Burke Harr The committee took no immediate between a multiplier and data from tance learning technologies. Students action on the bill. an earlier fiscal year when calculating in virtual schools would be required to their state aid would be critical in make progress toward the next grade helping more schools to implement level, demonstrate understanding of the program. subject matter in their classes and take “While a multiplier alone might state assessments. function well for higher poverty A virtual student would be defined Special legislative committees schools, perhaps for Omaha Public as any student enrolled in a virtual proposed Schools, for example, it may not pro- school and not in any other public vide the same level of poverty allow- school district. The Executive Board heard three ance for schools with a lower poverty The bill would count those stu- proposals Feb. 8 to create special com- level, thereby discouraging schools dents in their school district’s fall and mittees of the Legislature. from taking up the program,” he said. average daily memberships so they are LR403, introduced by Lincoln Connie Knoche, chief financial of- included when calculating state aid. Sen. Matt Han- ficer for Omaha Public Schools, also Harr said the bill would help sen, would estab- testified in support of both bills. She Omaha Public Schools start a virtual lish the Election said six Omaha elementary schools school and added that many states Technology Com- have implemented the federal provi- have similar programs. mittee to study sion and another 20 or 30 likely would “Virtual schools are a new tool in the longevity of implement it under the proposed bills. educating all our children and they technology used by Julia Tse, speaking on behalf of offer great promise and potential,” election commis- Sen. Matt Hansen Voices for Children in Nebraska, he said. sioners and county clerks to conduct testified in support of LB1004. She Connie Knoche, chief financial elections as of Jan. 1, 2016. said federal data shows that for every officer for Omaha Public Schools, The committee also would study 10 students qualified through Head testified in support of the bill. She the feasibility of updating or replacing Start, the Supplemental Nutrition said OPS plans to launch a virtual elections technology. Assistance Program or other factors, school for K-8 this fall and wants to Hansen said that passage of the six more otherwise would qualify for ensure virtual students are included 2002 Help America Vote Act required free and reduced-priced meals. in state aid calculations to cover the states to ensure equal access to elec- No one spoke in opposition to the program’s cost. OPS hopes to enroll tions for individuals with disabilities. bills and the committee took no im- approximately 100 students in the vir- In response, the Nebraska secretary of mediate action on them. tual school, Knoche said, adding that state’s office used approximately $15 the program would be popular with million in federal funds to purchase Funding proposed for virtual homeschoolers and students whose Automark machines, which are used schools families travel frequently. by visually impaired voters. OPS would provide each student a Those machines soon will need Students who attend virtual schools computer and hire a principal, teach- to be replaced, Hansen said, and the would be included in the state’s school ers, a counselor, a computer techni- state needs to decide who will bear the aid formula under a bill heard by the cian and an administrative assistant to replacement cost. Education Committee Feb. 8. staff the program, Knoche said. The “Adding the purchase of election LB1049, introduced by Omaha school also would purchase curricular machines could double or triple county

PAGE 8 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 104TH LEGISLATURE February 8 - 11, 2016

[election] expenses,” he said, noting progress has been made—which is actu- pedite delivery of confidential records that counties traditionally are respon- ally the good news—but that there still to the Inspector General of Nebraska sible for the cost of holding elections. are challenges.” Child Welfare. Bri McLarty, director of voting James Goddard of Nebraska Ap- A bill passed by the Legislature rights for Nebraskans for Civic Re- pleseed testified in support of the in 2015 expanded the jurisdiction of form, testified in support of the proposal, saying legislative oversight the inspector general to include the measure, saying the state needs to would help maintain positive momen- state’s juvenile services division of the begin exploring how to address the es- tum in the system. Office of Probation Administration. timated $20 million replacement cost. “The main thing we think is It authorized the inspector general “While the machines may not break important is that these changes are to access confidential information tomorrow,” McLarty said, “we need to sustainable over time,” Goddard said. pertinent to investigations, including start planning for the inevitable.” Finally, LR413, introduced by video testimony from victims of abuse. LR418, introduced by Omaha Sen. Syracuse Sen. LB954, introduced this year by , would create the AC- Dan Watermeier, Omaha Sen. Bob CESSNebraska would establish Krist, additionally Oversight Commit- the Task Force on would authorize tee. Howard said the Behavioral and the inspector gen- committee would Mental Health. eral to submit writ- provide oversight The commit- ten requests for and ongoing dia- tee would study Sen. Dan Watermeier access to records of logue between the issues relating to the adequacy of the juvenile probation Sen. Bob Krist Legislature and the Sen. Sara Howard state’s behavioral health system, in- officers. The bill would require that state Department of Health and Human cluding monitoring the progress of the those records be delivered within five Services (DHHS) to ensure continued DHHS division of behavioral health days of a juvenile court order. improvement of the system. in conducting a statewide needs assess- Krist said the bill is the result of ACCESSNebraska is an online ment and developing a strategic plan. six months of negotiations between and call center system developed and Watermeier said the recommenda- the legislative and judicial branches. implemented by DHHS to determine tion is the result of a performance audit “If [the Legislature] does not exer- public benefit eligibility and deliver of the state’s behavioral health system. cise our constitutional requirement, benefits to clients. Lincoln Sen. testified in our mandates to legislate, appropriate The ACCESSNebraska Special support of the resolution, saying the and apply oversight of all branches, we Investigative Committee of the Legisla- state is moving toward more communi- might as well go home,” he said. “For ture was created in 2014 to investigate ty-based rather than institution-based the most part it’s the oversight of [the an array of problems, including long behavioral health strategies. However, Legislature] that holds government in wait times for callers, lost paperwork she said, many high-need individuals check. [LB954] is another one of those and high worker turnover. Authoriza- do not fit well in either system. very important issues.” tion for the committee was extended “There is a role for policymakers in Upon receipt of orders from the ju- until the beginning of the current trying to understand the strategies that venile court or the Office of Probation legislative session in January of 2016. we need to take this community-based Administration, the juvenile services Howard, who served as chairperson vision forward,” Bolz said. division would grant direct computer of the committee last year, said that No one testified in opposition to access to all computerized records while an investigative committee is the resolutions and the committee maintained by the division relevant no longer necessary, continued com- took on immediate action on them. to a specific case under investigation. munication is. Omaha Sen. Heath Mello sup- “The majority of the committee Inspector access to child ported the bill. recommended one more year of leg- welfare records advanced “Compromise always takes a little islative oversight,” she said, citing the bit of time for the two sides to find committee’s year-end report. “The Lawmakers gave first-round ap- middle ground on a very difficult is- intent of the report was to show that proval to a bill Feb. 11 that would ex- sue,” Mello said. “[LB954] will protect

104TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 9 February 8 - 11, 2016 legislative prerogative when it comes Probation [Administration] is work- options access to experimental drugs. to oversight but also protect judicial ing diligently to work out the services “This is a bill to give hope to those independence.” that they are providing,” she said. “But Nebraskans suffering from chronic The bill also directs the inspector should there be a problem that the and possible terminal illnesses,” he general to immediately notify the Legislature sees, it would have that said. probation administrator of possible oversight through the committee.” To be eligible, a patient must: misconduct by an employee of the Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha also • have a documented, advanced juvenile services division found during supported the bill. He said LB1016 illness; an investigation. Pertinent informa- would give legislative committees bet- • have considered all other ap- tion regarding a potential personnel ter information on how the offices proved treatment options; matter would be provided to the Of- operate, which would help the Leg- • give written, informed consent fice of Probation Administration. islature budget for the agencies and for the use of the investigational LB954 also directs the juvenile ensure they are successful. treatment; and court to provide confidential record A technical amendment was ad- • have a recommendation from information to the Foster Care Review opted 26-0 and the bill advanced to his or her treating physician for Office. select file on a 35-0 vote. an investigational drug, biologi- Following adoption of a technical cal product or device. amendment, the bill advanced to Under the bill, a manufacturer select file on a 44-0 vote. could provide an investigational treatment without compensation and Expanded audit authority would be prohibited from seeking advances reimbursement for such treatment if an eligible patient died while being Lawmakers voted to advance a bill Bill would allow treated. Feb. 11 that would give the Legislative investigational drug use In addition, a treating physician or Audit Office authority to conduct Drugs in FDA clinical trials could medical institution would not be held performance audits of two judicial be used by eligible Nebraska patients liable under the act. branch offices. under a bill heard Feb. 11 by the Kim Robak, testifying on behalf Introduced by Syracuse Sen. Dan Health and Human Services Com- of the Nebraska Medical Association Watermeier, LB1016 would subject the mittee. and the Nebraska Oncology Society, Office of Probation Administration LB804, introduced by Omaha Sen. supported LB804. There are patients and the Office of Public Guardian to , would allow an with serious, life-threatening diseases performance audits by the Legislative eligible patient who are out of other options, she said. Audit Office. The office reviews state under the Inves- “This bill makes some sense in agency programs to ensure they ef- tigational Drug those instances, to perhaps provide fectively implement the Legislature’s Use Act to be some alternative when no other alter- intent. treated with any native exists,” Robak said. She cau- Watermeier said the bill would drug, biological tioned committee members, however, authorize legislative branch audits of product or medi- that the bill could raise unrealistic the two offices but not mandate them. cal device that Sen. Robert Hilkemann expectations. He said other state offices have access has successfully completed Phase 1 Pharmaceutical companies ulti- to similar judicial branch programs. of a clinical trial but has not yet been mately would make the decision to Lincoln Sen. Kathy Campbell spoke approved for general use by the FDA— provide access to investigational treat- in support of the bill. She said it is provided that the drug remains in an ments, she said, and state lawmakers critical for the Legislature to have the FDA-approved clinical trial. cannot compel them to do so. authority to audit the offices, which Hilkemann said 41 states have No opposition testimony was of- deal with child welfare and currently either approved or are considering fered and the committee took no sit outside the Legislature’s oversight. similar legislation, which he said could immediate action on the bill. “I fully believe that the Office of give patients who are out of other

PAGE 10 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 104TH LEGISLATURE February 8 - 11, 2016

• promotes, provokes or persuades who has been charged with felonies the driver to engage in flight or is drunk may not be the most sym- from law enforcement; and pathetic character and a news write-up • is subject to arrest or sought to be about their injuries being paid may not apprehended by law enforcement. be popular,” Crawford said. “However, Changes to police pursuit A Judiciary Committee amend- that person is still a human being and liability advanced after cloture ment, adopted 42-2, removed the if they’re harmed when we’re pursuing After prolonged debate, lawmakers exclusion of those subject to arrest and public safety then that person is deserv- gave first-round approval Feb. 10 to a clarified the exclusion of those who ing of having their injuries addressed.” bill that would lessen the liability fac- have engaged in felonious conduct After six hours of debate spanning ing the state and political subdivisions prior to entering the fleeing vehicle. three days, Watermeier introduced a in the event of a police pursuit. Sen. David Schnoor of Scribner motion to invoke cloture—or cease de- Currently, the state and subdivi- supported the bill, saying current bate and force a vote on the bill—which sions are held liable for the death, in- protections are too broad. senators approved on a 37-5 vote. jury or property damage to an innocent “Some are innocent third party vic- Senators advanced the bill to select third party caused by the action of a law tims but some are just as guilty as the file on a 34-6 vote. enforcement officer during a vehicular person driving the car,” Schnoor said. pursuit. LB188, “There are people out there who are Immunity for victims of human introduced by going to take advantage of the system trafficking proposed Syracuse Sen. to get some money.” Dan Watermei- Omaha Sen. op- Victims of human trafficking er, would exclude posed the bill, saying it unfairly would would be granted limited legal im- certain passen- place the burden of proof on individu- munity under a bill discussed by the gers from the lia- als in the car. Judiciary Committee Feb. 10. bility protections. Sen. Dan Watermeier “I want to go after those who make LB843, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Watermeier said legislation passed the decisions about what the police of- Patty Pansing more than 30 years ago implemented ficers [are authorized] to do,” he said. Brooks, would the liability protections for innocent “[I want to] place responsibility on the provide legal third parties. However, he said, ques- political leaders of whatever subdivision immunity from tions about who is considered an in- hired the offending officer. It would be prostitution nocent third party have been decided up to those individuals to adopt policies charges for any in court cases due to ambiguity in the that would restrict these chases.” person proven Sen. original law. Chambers introduced a series of to be a victim “All this bill does is give the courts motions to extend debate on the bill. of labor or sex trafficking. Pansing standards to consider in determining Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lin- Brooks said the first step in addressing whether a passenger in a fleeing ve- coln also opposed the bill. She said a human trafficking is acknowledging its hicle truly is an innocent third party National Highway Traffic Safety Ad- pervasiveness. and is eligible for automatic recovery ministration survey showed 91 percent “The trafficking of women, men and [of damages],” he said. of all police chases are precipitated by children in our state is the epitome of The bill would exclude from li- nonviolent crimes. modern-day slavery,” she said. “While it ability protections any passenger who: “I’m not trying to be soft on crime seems impossible to most Nebraskans, • enters into the vehicle without and I don’t think we have to stop the human trafficking is present here.” coercion knowing, or with a police and handcuff them from doing A pending amendment would reasonable belief, that the driver their job,” she said, “but there is statistic clarify that law enforcement would be of the vehicle is under the influ- after statistic about the ineffectiveness responsible for determining whether ence of alcohol or drugs; and danger of these high-speed chases.” a person engaging in prostitution is a • fails to take reasonable steps to Bellevue Sen. also victim of human trafficking. persuade the driver to stop the spoke against the bill. Al Riskowski, representing the Ne- vehicle; “I can understand that someone braska Family Alliance, supported the

104TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 11 February 8 - 11, 2016 bill. He said a report by the governor’s Association, supported the bill. administration, to take a hard look at Task Force on Human Trafficking, of “Our clients make bad decisions. the state’s existing recycling and waste which he is a co-chair, shows just how If we can help them make good deci- management statutes.” large a problem human trafficking is sions and possibly save a life, then we The DEQ would study the efficacy in Nebraska. support that,” he said. of current litter, waste reduction and “It’s important that human trafficking Erin Cooper, representing the recycling programs and conduct a victims need to be seen as victims,” he University of Nebraska, testified in a needs assessment with regard to re- said. “Our report shows that 50 to 100 neutral capacity. She said the univer- cycling and composting programs in current high school students are pulled sity supported a similar bill dealing the state. Potential funding sources, into the sex trade every year in Nebraska.” with underage drinking in 2015. including public-private partnerships, No one testified in opposition to “We strongly support any measure also would be included in the study. the bill and the committee took no that could save lives,” she said. “Howev- Carrie Hakenkamp, executive di- immediate action on it. er, we do urge caution in implementing rector of WasteCap Nebraska, testified [LB980] and taking into consideration in support of the bill. She said only Limited liability proposed for the difference between misdemeanor Omaha and Lincoln have updated drug overdoses conduct and felonious conduct.” their solid waste management plans No one testified in opposition to since the initial passage of the Solid Those experiencing or witnessing the bill and the committee took no Waste Management Act. a drug overdose would have limited immediate action on it. “[The act] is outdated and fo- legal liability under a bill heard by the cuses solely on integrated solid waste Judiciary Committee Feb. 10. management rather than resource LB980, introduced by Lincoln conservation,” she said. “Nebraskans Sen. , generate 7 pounds of solid waste per would grant limit- person per day. The national average ed legal liability to Solid waste study recommended is 4 pounds. We need to be looking someone experienc- at why that is.” ing or witnessing a The status of the state’s recycling LB1101 also would authorize the drug overdose if they and solid waste management would DEQ to create an advisory committee request emergency be the subject of a new study under comprising no more than nine people. medical assistance Sen. Adam Morfeld a bill heard by the Natural Resources The committee would provide a report as soon as the emergency is evident. Committee Feb. 11. of its findings to the Legislature by Morfeld said drug overdose deaths in LB1101, introduced by Omaha Sen. Dec. 15, 2017. Nebraska have quadrupled since 1999, Heath Mello, would No one testified in opposition to according to a 2014 state Department authorize the state the bill and the committee took no of Health and Human Services report. Department of En- immediate action on it. “[LB980] ensures we’re putting the vironmental Quality lives of Nebraskans first while still ensur- (DEQ) to conduct ing accountability to the law,” he said. “It a study examining will make sure people can seek critical the status of solid medical attention when it’s needed.” waste management Sen. Heath Mello A witness to a drug overdose would programs operated by the department. qualify for limited liability under Mello said Nebraskans currently Divestment from fossil fuels LB980 if they are the first person to pay $34 million in landfill fees each sought request emergency medical assistance, year to dispose of materials that could remain on the scene until assistance ar- be recycled. A bill seeking divestment of state rives and cooperate with the medical as- “It’s been almost 25 years since funds from fossil fuels was heard by the sistance and law enforcement officials. the Solid Waste Management Act Retirement Systems Committee Feb. 9. Tom Strigenz, representing the was passed,” he said. “This is an ideal LB1069, introduced by Malcolm Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorney opportunity for the state, under a new Sen. Ken Haar, would require the state

PAGE 12 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 104TH LEGISLATURE February 8 - 11, 2016 investment officer Retired teacher Tim Fickenscher excise tax on cigarettes by more than to review the invest- also testified in support of LB1069, 200 percent and use the revenue for ment of state funds saying the bill would begin a process public health programs and property in both fossil fuels of protecting Nebraska’s environment tax credits. and clean energy from the impact of climate change. LB1013, introduced by Sen. Mike and, to the extent “I’m worried about students that Gloor of Grand Is- that it is prudent, I’ve taught and the world that they’re land, would raise begin the process of Sen. Ken Haar inheriting,” he said. “We need to ac- the tax on a pack of divesting from fossil fuels and invest- cept responsibility that fossil fuels are cigarettes by $1.50, ing in clean energy. changing our present environment.” from the current The state investment officer would Michael Walden-Newman, state 64 cents to $2.14. It be required to provide a report on the investment officer for the state of Ne- also would raise the status of state investment in relation to braska, testified in opposition to the bill. tax on the whole- Sen. Mike Gloor fossil fuels and clean energy to the gover- The retirement plan and trust assets that sale price of other tobacco products, nor and the Legislature by Dec. 15, 2016. are invested on behalf of the people of such as cigars, from the current 20 The bill would impact investments Nebraska must be the top priority, he percent to 31 percent. that derive at least 50 percent of their said, rather than social concerns. The increase would generate an esti- revenue from the extraction or com- Removing investment options mated $120 million in fiscal year 2016- bustion of fossil fuels. could harm the state’s returns, he said, 2017. Every year the bill would direct Haar said the concept has prec- noting that it also may be difficult for $45 million to the state’s property tax edent in Nebraska, which was the the state to divest from index funds relief fund. Another $45 million would first state to require divestment from that contain fossil fuel companies. be used for credits for Nebraskans filing apartheid South Africa. Over 500 en- “The estimate is that 6 to 7 percent a property tax exemption. An addi- tities across the country have pledged of the investment universe of our stock tional $30 million would be directed divestment from fossil fuels in some portfolio would be removed through to an array of public health programs, form, he said, based on both moral this legislation,” Walden-Newman said. biomedical research on cancer and and economic considerations. Joe Kohout, representing the smoking-related illnesses and a smok- “These campaigns are based on the American Petroleum Institute (API), ing prevention and control program. concept of using capital markets to also opposed the bill. Gloor said the bill would reduce engage in social change,” Haar said. “I Kohout said that an API study the state’s Medicaid costs for the treat- think this is not only the right thing last year of pension funds in 17 states ment of heart disease, lung disease and to do, but I think we’ll see in the near found that oil and gas products out- cancers caused by smoking and to- future that it makes dollars and sense.” performed other investments. In addi- bacco use. He said an estimated 2 mil- James Cavanaugh, representing tion, he said, Vermont recently chose lion Nebraskans would quit smoking the Nebraska chapter of the Sierra not to divest from fossil fuels based under the proposed increase, resulting Club, testified in support of the bill. on estimates that the state would lose in a five-year savings to Medicaid of The oil industry has proven not to be between $2 million and $8.5 million approximately $2 million. a good investment, either monetarily in the first year of doing so. “We could have been doing a lot or morally, he said, noting the recent The committee took no immediate of things with the dollars that we plug collapse of North Dakota’s oil-driven action on the bill. into Medicaid budgets to provide care economic boom. for those patients,” he said. “It seems “That is not probably the best in- appropriate to me that we take some vestment that you can find in today’s of those dollars now and allocate them stock market,” he said, adding that the towards property tax relief.” state instead should explore investing Dr. Bob Rauner, speaking on behalf in clean energy. “[The bill is] just using Tobacco tax increase of the Nebraska Medical Association, best practices, looking to the future— proposed testified in support of the bill. He said the same thing that you would do with $795 million of Nebraska’s annual your own portfolio.” A bill proposed to the Revenue health care costs are attributed to smok- Committee Feb. 11 would raise the

104TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 13 February 8 - 11, 2016 ing, approximately $160 million of “We believe that increasing the consider texting while driving a pri- which is paid by Medicaid. Rauner said taxes on people who enjoy the oc- mary offense. the proposal would deter more teens casional cigar is not the way to solve “I didn’t realize before I started from smoking because they are more our tax problems in Nebraska,” he researching this how far behind [Ne- sensitive to price increases than adults. said. “Nor do we agree that it is a way braska is] to the rest of the country,” “It’s been studied in state after state to get people to quit smoking cigars.” he said. “We need to make sure this is after state that when you do something Jeff Doll, owner of Safari Cigar and considered a serious offense.” like this there’s almost an immediate Lounge in Omaha and head of the Under the bill, drivers holding a reduction in smoking,” he said. “The Nebraska Premium Tobacco Associa- traditional driver license still could potential benefits to the state are very tion, also spoke against the bill. He said talk on the phone while driving but large.” increasing taxes on cigars will hurt Ne- would be restricted from reading, typ- Joanna Hejl, a student at Lincoln braska businesses by driving more sales ing or sending a written communica- High School, also spoke in support of to online retailers. Doll estimated that tion on their device. the bill. She said tax increases like the Nebraska forgoes $3 million a year in Laurie Klosterboer, executive direc- one proposed are effective in reducing tax revenue because online cigar sellers tor of the Nebraska Safety Council, teen smoking rates. New York, which pay no taxes to the state. supported the bill. She said a survey has the highest tobacco tax of any A power outage at the Capitol conducted by her organization found state, also has the lowest youth smok- ended the hearing before all testimony that more than 90 percent of respon- ing rate in the nation at 7 percent, was heard. dents support making texting while compared to Nebraska’s 11 percent, driving a primary offense. she said. “Most people recognize that texting Ali Khan, dean of the College of while behind the wheel is a dangerous Public Health at the University of activity and would support moving Nebraska Medical Center, testified the law from a secondary to primary in support of the bill, saying that to- law,” she said. “We have teens that are bacco use is responsible for half of all Bill would address distracted novice drivers. We need to make sure preventable deaths in Nebraska. The driving they’re focused on the driving task college would use funding from the at hand and make sure they’re not proposal to educate and train public Texting while driving would be a texting behind the wheel.” health professionals that would serve primary offense under a bill heard by LB668 also would make a primary all Nebraskans, including smokers, the Transportation and Telecommu- offense the operation of a vehicle that he said. Several national and interna- nications Committee Feb. 9. does not provide a proper child pas- tional studies have shown that raising Under LB668, introduced by senger restraint system for passengers the unit price on tobacco reduces its Omaha Sen. Bob younger than six years old or a seatbelt use, Khan added. Krist, a driver for each passenger aged six to 18. “There’s unequivocal evidence with a provisional No one testified in opposition to that passage of LB1013 will decrease operator’s permit, the bill and the committee took no tobacco use and save lives,” he said. learner’s permit immediate action on it. g Coby Mach, co-owner of the Ne- or school permit braska Cigar Festival, testified in op- and school bus position to the bill. drivers could be Sen. Bob Krist He said the tax increase would make ticketed by law enforcement for talk- it more difficult for Nebraska cigar ing on a cell phone or texting while retailers to compete with online sellers driving. and those in neighboring states with Currently, this is treated as a sec- lower tobacco taxes. The wholesale tax ondary offense and can be enforced on cigars is 10 percent in Kansas and only if the driver is pulled over for a Missouri, compared to the current 20 separate primary offense. percent in Nebraska, Mach said. Krist said that most states currently

PAGE 14 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 104TH LEGISLATURE February 8 - 11, 2016 Committee Hearings Current hearing schedules are always available at: nebraskalegislature.gov/calendar

Tuesday, February 16 Taxpayer Transparency Act Revenue Agriculture LB992 (Ebke) Provide a restriction on Room 1524 - 1:30 p.m. Room 2102 - 1:30 p.m. installment contracts for the purchase LB925 (B. Harr) Change provisions LB968 (Johnson) Change provisions of real or personal property by political relating to issuing a treasurer’s tax relating to an agriculture promotion and subdivisions deed and bringing a tax lien foreclosure development program LB955 (Scheer) Except the University action as prescribed of Nebraska and the Nebraska State LB936 (Ebke) Change inheritance tax Appropriations College System from participation rates and exemption amounts Room 1524 - 1:30 p.m. in certain state contracts regarding LB995 (Davis) Repeal provisions Agency 27: Dept. of Roads electronic payments relating to the special valuation of LB960 (Smith) Adopt the Transportation agricultural land and provide for the Innovation Act and provide transfers Health & Human Services agricultural value of agricultural land from the Cash Reserve Fund Room 1510 - 1:30 p.m. LB1037 (Brasch) Change property tax Appointment: Bell, Chad - Commission provisions relating to agricultural land Banking, Commerce & Insurance for the Blind and Visually Impaired and horticultural land Room 1507 - 1:30 p.m. Appointment: Hansen, Michael D. - LB740 (Hansen) Add an unfair claims Commission for the Blind and Visually Thursday, February 18 settlement practice under the Unfair In- Impaired Government, Military & Veterans Affairs surance Claims Settlement Practices Act LB816 (Scheer) Change and eliminate Room 1507 - 1:30 p.m. LB796 (B. Harr) Prohibit alterations to provisions relating to state institution LB1080 (Seiler) Change provisions relat- liability insurance coverage for claims patients’ records ing to direct purchases and use of recy- under the Minor Alcoholic Liquor LB899 (Baker) Change lead content clable material by correctional industries Liability Act provisions relating to the Nebraska LB978 (Craighead) Change provisions LB856 (B. Harr) Change the Insured Safe Drinking Water Act relating to the state purchasing card Homeowners Protection Act LB908 (Kolterman) Provide for tempo- program and facilities construction and LB1041 (Cook) Provide for disapproval rary licenses for veterinary technicians administration and eliminate obsolete of certain insurance rate filings if they provisions use price optimization Judiciary LB999 (Garrett) Change the disposition Room 1113 - 1:30 p.m. of proceeds from the sale of surplus Education LB1098 (Morfeld) Increase legal personal property Room 1525 - 1:30 p.m. services fees as prescribed Appointment: Ward, Charles - Board of LB975 (Kolterman) Adopt the Child Health & Human Services Educational Lands and Funds Welfare Services Preservation Act Room 1510 - 1:00 p.m. LB868 (Krist) Require successful LB670 (Krist) Require a hearing prior to Dept. of Health & Human Services - completion of a civics examination as a release for persons taken into custody Medicaid Division Annual Committee prerequisite to high school graduation for mental health reasons Briefing LB1062 (Krist) Provide for waiver of a LB847 (Pansing Brooks) Change LB782 (Schumacher) Provide for a certificate to administer as prescribed provisions relating to juries medicaid state plan amendment relating LB1010 (Williams) Change provisions to coverage for family planning services Urban Affairs relating to juvenile court petitions LB869 (Crawford) Require that certain Room 1510 - 1:30 p.m. providers under the Medical Assistance LB865 (Crawford) Change provisions Natural Resources Act be subject to a national criminal relating to handicapped parking Room 1525 - 1:30 p.m. history record information check LB857 (Hadley) Change population LB1070 (K. Haar) Change powers and LB1043 (Howard) Create a palliative threshold for a city of the first class to duties of the Nebraska Oil and Gas care program and advisory council for employ a fulltime fire chief Conservation Commission to require the Health Care Facility Licensure Act LB806 (Mello) Adopt the Riverfront liability insurance and restrict permits Development District Act as prescribed Judiciary LB1082 (Schilz) Change provisions Room 1113 - 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 17 relating to the Nebraska Oil and Gas LB1000 (Mello) Require certain law en- Conservation Commission and provide Government, Military & Veterans Affairs forcement agencies to adopt policies on for a periodic well fluid analysis, report, Room 1507 - 1:30 p.m. the use of body-worn cameras, provide and notice as prescribed LB851 (McCollister) Change the that recordings from such cameras are LB1100 (Schilz) Adopt the Petroleum Taxpayer Transparency Act not public records, and prohibit certain Education and Marketing Act LB694 (Crawford) Change provisions conduct involving such recordings relating to exempt contracts under the 104TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 15 February 8 - 11, 2016 Committee Hearings Current hearing schedules are always available at: nebraskalegislature.gov/calendar

LB1097 (Morfeld) Change provisions Hearing domestic limited liability companies or relating to sexual assault forensic testing Appointment: Seiler, Peter - Commission foreign limited liability companies LB1054 (Hilkemann) Change provisions for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing relating to the DNA Identification Appointment: Huber, Kristin - Foster Business & Labor Information Act Care Advisory Committee Room 2102 - 1:30 p.m. LB920 (Pansing Brooks) Add members LB939 (Mello) Adopt the Nebraska LB1110 (Mello) Adopt the Nebraska to the Nebraska Police Standards Early Childhood Advantage Act Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Advisory Council LB1034 (Campbell) Change provisions Act LB839 (Chambers) Require background relating to the Nebraska Children’s LB1029 (Mello) Adopt the Sector checks and other requirements for Commission Partnership Program Act and provide persons purchasing certain types of LB1081 (Campbell) Change provisions duties for the Department of Labor tactical gear relating to eligibility for public assistance LB1044 (Ebke) Terminate the Commission of Industrial Relations Natural Resources Judiciary LB1045 (Ebke) Provide for the Room 1525 - 1:30 p.m. Room 1113 - 1:30 p.m. treatment of certain contractors as LB711 (Hughes) Change provisions LB832 (Morfeld) Provide for seizure independent contractors as prescribed of the Noxious Weed Control Act and sale of a motor vehicle illegally and create the Riparian Vegetation transporting household goods for hire Education Management Task Force LB890 (Brasch) Change provisions Room 1525 - 1:30 p.m. LB712 (Hughes) Change provisions relating to actions involving motor LB1067 (Sullivan) Change provisions relating to the regulation of aboveground vehicle collisions with domestic animals relating to learning communities motor vehicle fuel storage tanks LB916 (Howard) Provide immunity from LB903 (Baker) Change and eliminate pro- criminal or civil liability for removal of an visions relating to learning communities Revenue animal from a motor vehicle by forcible LB904 (Baker) Provide for school districts Room 1524 - 1:30 p.m. entry as prescribed to opt out of a learning community LB797 (B. Harr) Change provisions relat- LB966 (Kintner) Adopt the Refugee LB739 (Smith) Eliminate certain taxing ing to the accrual of interest on denied Resettlement Agency Indemnification Act authority of learning communities and reduced homestead exemptions LB967 (Kintner) Change learning LB825 (Davis) Provide reporting Revenue community provisions relating to requirements for tax-exempt property Room 1524 - 1:30 p.m. enrollment and levies LR390CA (Davis) Constitutional LB974 (Kolowski) Exempt sales of amendment requiring community clothing, school supplies, computers, General Affairs colleges funding by sales and income and computerrelated accessories from Room 1510 - 1:30 p.m. taxes and not property taxes sales and use taxes Appointment: Varenhorst, Harvey - LB1104 (Larson) Provide for tax LB1021 (Crawford) Change provisions Nebraska Arts Council incentives, intent provisions, and relating to access to sales and use tax Appointment: McClymont, Sherry - revenue-sharing agreements relating to information by municipalities Nebraska Arts Council Native Americans LB1047 (B. Harr) Change sales tax Appointment: LeBaron, Kathryn - exemption provisions relating to Nebraska Arts Council Friday, February 19 purchases of energy and fuel Appointment: Drickey, Patrick - Government, Military & Veterans Affairs LB1088 (Davis) Provide a sales and use Nebraska Arts Council Room 1507 - 1:30 p.m. tax exemption for nonprofit centers for Appointment: Mueller, Cory L. - State LB1099 (Krist) Change provisions independent living Electrical Board relating to expense reimbursement Appointment: Bergstraesser, Edwin - LB1084 (Stinner) Change and provide Monday, February 22 State Electrical Board duration requirements for certain state Banking, Commerce & Insurance agency contracts Room 1507 - 1:30 p.m. Nebraska Retirement Systems LR381 (Ebke) Resolution to ratify the LB873 (Murante) Authorize escheatment Room 1525 - 9:00 a.m. Twenty-Seventh Amendment to the to the state of unclaimed United States Omaha Public Schools Employee United States Constitution regarding Savings Bonds as prescribed Retirement System Actuarial Report compensation for members of Congress LB1025 (Morfeld) Change experience Appointment: Derr, J. Russell - Public requirements under the Public Employees Retirement Board Health & Human Services Accountancy Act Appointment: Olson, Keith - Nebraska Room 1510 - 1:00 p.m. LB1050 (B. Harr) Authorize conversion Investment Council Appointment: Propp, Margaret - of domestic partnerships and domestic Commission for the Deaf and Hard of limited liability partnerships into

PAGE 16 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 104TH LEGISLATURE February 8 - 11, 2016 Committee Hearings Current hearing schedules are always available at: nebraskalegislature.gov/calendar

Transportation & Telecommunications LB1055 (Chambers) Open grand Thursday, February 25 Room 1113 - 1:30 p.m. jury proceedings to the public as Judiciary LB783 (Lindstrom) Provide for prescribed and change procedures in Room 1113 - 1:30 p.m. registration of public power district cases of death during apprehension LB1058 (Crawford) Change provisions vehicles as prescribed by law enforcement officers or while in relating to enforcement of certain LB844 (Pansing Brooks) Provide for custody tobacco restriction provisions Breast Cancer Awareness Plates LB1056 (Chambers) Adopt the Patient LB1072 (K. Haar) Adopt the Fair Repair Choice at End of Life Act Act and provide a penalty Tuesday, February 23 LB720 (Kuehn) Change certain invasion of Agriculture Natural Resources privacy provisions to include unmanned Room 1510 - 1:30 p.m. Room 1525 - 1:30 p.m. aircraft or unmanned aircraft systems LR378CA (Kuehn) Constitutional LB1019 (Davis) Change provisions LB885 (Davis) Provide student amendment to guarantee the right to relating to support of the Niobrara journalists the right to exercise freedom engage in certain farming and ranching Council by the Game & Parks of speech and of the press practices Commission, require legislative confirmation of certain appointments Natural Resources Education to the council, and require an annual Room 1525 - 1:30 p.m. Room 1525 - 1:30 p.m. report LB961 (Chambers) Eliminate provisions Appointment: Hunter, Ronald - relating to hunting mountain lions g Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education Hearing Rooms Appointment: Adam, Colleen - Coordinating Commission for Hearing Committee Meeting Postsecondary Education Room Days Transportation & Telecommunications 2102 (G) Agriculture Tu Room 1113 - 1:30 p.m. N Appointment: Gerdes, Mary K. - State 1524 (B) Appropriations M, Tu Highway Commission 1003 (A) Appropriations W, Th, F First Floor LB688 (Bloomfield) Require all examinations and test of applicants 1507 (E) Banking, Commerce M, Tu A under the Motor Vehicle Operator’s & Insurance License Act be in English LB964 (Hilkemann) Change a veteran 2102 (G) Business & Labor M B D notation requirement on a motor vehicle 1525 (C) Education M, Tu operator’s license or state identification card 1510 (D) General Affairs M C E LB1077 (Pansing Brooks) Change F provisions under the Motor Vehicle 1507 (E) Government, Military W, Th, F Operator’s License Act relating to & Veterans Affairs operator’s license revocation 1510 (D) Health & Human W, Th, F LB1068 (K. Haar) Adopt the Electric Services Customer Protection Act and provide duties for the Public Service Commission 1113 (F) Judiciary W, Th, F Second Floor Wednesday, February 24 1525 (C) Natural Resources W, Th, F Judiciary 1525 (C) Nebraska (Meets at Room 1113 - 1:30 p.m. Retirement Systems noon as LB965 (Cook) Provide for expungement scheduled) of records for persons charged with or found guilty of a crime because of 1524 (B) Revenue W, Th, F stolen identity or mistaken identity LB793 (Watermeier) Change provisions 1113 (F) Transportation & M, Tu and penalties relating to implements Telecommunications G for escape and contraband and certain 1510 (D) Urban Affairs Tu assaults 104TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 17 February 8 - 11, 2016 LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS

For larger versions of these and other district maps, visit the maps clearinghouse page on the Legislature’s official website: www.nebraskalegislature.gov/about/maps.php

Omaha and vicinity Lincoln

PAGE 18 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 104TH LEGISLATURE February 8 - 11, 2016 Senator Contact Info

Sen. Roy Baker Sen. Al Davis Sen. Burke J. Harr Sen. Tyson Larson Sen. Ken Schilz Lincoln, District 30 Hyannis, District 43 Omaha, District 8 O’Neill, District 40 Ogallala, District 47 Room 1522 Room 1021 Room 2010 Room 1019 Room 1210 (402) 471-2620 (402) 471-2628 (402) 471-2722 (402) 471-2801 (402) 471-2616 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist30 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist43 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist08 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist40 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist47

Sen. Dave Bloomfield Sen. Laura Ebke Sen. Robert Hilkemann Sen. Sen. David Schnoor Hoskins, District 17 Crete, District 32 Omaha, District 4 Omaha, District 18 Scribner, District 15 Room 1206 Room 1101 Room 1115 Room 1202 Room 1118 (402) 471-2716 (402) 471-2711 (402) 471-2621 (402) 471-2618 (402) 471-2625 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist17 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist32 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist04 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist18 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist15

Sen. Kate Bolz Sen. Nicole Fox Sen. Sara Howard Sen. John McCollister Sen. Paul Schumacher Lincoln, District 29 Omaha, District 7 Omaha, District 9 Omaha, District 20 Columbus, District 22 Room 1120 Room 1115 Room 1012 Room 1017 Room 1124 (402) 471-2734 (402) 471-2721 (402) 471-2723 (402) 471-2622 (402) 471-2715 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist29 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist07 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist09 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist20 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist22

Sen. Lydia Brasch Sen. Sen. Dan Hughes Sen. Beau McCoy Sen. Les Seiler Bancroft, District 16 Henderson, District 34 Venango, District 44 Omaha, District 39 Hastings, District 33 Room 1016 Room 1403 Room 1117 Room 2107 Room 1103 (402) 471-2728 (402) 471-2630 (402) 471-2805 (402) 471- 2885 (402) 471-2712 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist16 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist34 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist44 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist39 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist33

Sen. Kathy Campbell Sen. Tommy Garrett Sen. Jerry Johnson Sen. Heath Mello Sen. Jim Smith Lincoln, District 25 Bellevue, District 3 Wahoo, District 23 Omaha, District 5 Papillion, District 14 Room 1402 Room 1208 Room 1022 Room 1004 Room 1110 (402) 471-2731 (402) 471-2627 (402) 471-2719 (402) 471-2710 (402) 471-2730 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist25 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist03 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist23 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist05 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist14

Sen. Ernie Chambers Sen. Mike Gloor Sen. Bill Kintner Sen. Adam Morfeld Sen. John Stinner Omaha, District 11 Grand Island, District 35 Papillion, District 2 Lincoln, District 46 Gering, District 48 Room 1114 Room 1116 Room 1000 Room 1008 Room 1406 (402) 471-2612 (402) 471-2617 (402) 471-2613 (402) 471-2720 (402) 471-2802 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist11 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist35 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist02 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist46 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist48

Sen. Colby Coash Sen. Sen. Sen. John Murante Sen. Kate Sullivan Lincoln, District 27 North Platte, District 42 Omaha, District 31 Gretna, District 49 Cedar Rapids, District 41 Room 2028 Room 1101 Room 1018 Room 1423 Room 1107 (402) 471-2632 (402) 471-2729 (402) 471-2327 (402) 471-2725 (402) 471-2631 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist27 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist42 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist31 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist49 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist41

Sen. Tanya Cook Sen. Ken Haar Sen. Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks Sen. Dan Watermeier Omaha, District 13 Malcolm, District 21 Seward, District 24 Lincoln, District 28 Syracuse, District 1 Room 2011 Room 1015 Room 2004 Room 1523 Room 2000 (402) 471-2727 (402) 471-2673 (402) 471-2756 (402) 471-2633 (402) 471-2733 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist13 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist21 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist24 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist28 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist01

Sen. Joni Craighead Sen. Galen Hadley Sen. Bob Krist Sen. Merv Riepe Sen. Matt Williams Omaha, District 6 Kearney, District 37 Omaha, District 10 Ralston, District 12 Gothenburg, District 36 Room 1529 Room 2103 Room 2108 Room 1528 Room 2015 (402) 471-2714 (402) 471-2726 (402) 471-2718 (402) 471-2623 (402) 471-2642 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist06 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist37 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist10 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist12 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist36

Sen. Sue Crawford Sen. Matt Hansen Sen. John Kuehn Sen. Bellevue, District 45 Lincoln, District 26 Heartwell, District 38 Norfolk, District 19 Room 1212 Room 1404 Room 1117 Room 1401 (402) 471-2615 (402) 471-2610 (402) 471-2732 (402) 471-2929 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist45 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist26 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist38 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist19

104TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 19 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

Each year on President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War provides a historical display in the Capitol and posts a ceremonial guard at the west side of the building.