UNICAMERAL UPDATE News published daily at Update.Legislature.ne.gov Vol. 44, Issue 11 / March 15 - 18, 2021 Student journalist, Regulatory framework for advisor free speech protections advance racetrack casinos advanced after cloture tudent journalists would have stronger First Amendment pro- Stections under a bill advanced from general file March 18 following debate spanning several days. LB88, sponsored by Lincoln Sen. , would designate student-produced media as part of a public forum and extend the full right to exercise freedom of speech and press that is provided to professional mem- Sen. Adam Morfeld bers of the media to public high school Sen. confers with colleagues during general file debate on LB561. and postsecondary student journalists, as well as their media advisors. bill that would implement amendment, adopted 35-4, added Morfeld said that students must be provisions of a constitutional the provisions of LB560 and also allowed to learn about the intersection A amendment approved in amended provisions of the original of their First Amendment rights and 2020 was expanded and advanced bill. The amendment would rename the ethics of professional journalism from general file March 17. the State Racing Commission to the under adult supervision. Doing so Last November, voters State Racing and Gaming Commis- requires a “delicate balance,” he said, legalized all forms of games of chance sion and grant it authority to regulate which LB88 provides. at licensed racetracks through an games of chance under the Nebraska “The protection of student journal- initiative petition drive. LB561, as Racetrack Gaming Act. ists’ rights in our K-12 schools and introduced by Sen. Tom Briese of Among other provisions, the state institutions of higher education Albion, would provide the regulatory amendment also would: is critical in the development of cur- framework necessary to implement • raise the legal age for wagering rent and future civic leaders,” he said. that constitutional amendment. on horse racing from 19 to 21; “Students, at an early age, must under- A General Affairs Committee • establish a process to allow an stand the power and the consequences amendment would have replaced the individual to be excluded volun- of the First Amendment in an environ- bill and added LB560, also introduced tarily from wagering; ment supervised by an instructor and by Briese, as well as other provisions. • establish a system for lodging with appropriate boundaries.” At the request of Kearney Sen. John complaints; The bill would not protect any Lowe, the committee amendment was • classify manipulation of a game expression by a student journalist that divided into three components and of chance or gaming machine is libelous or slanderous, constitutes debated separately. as a Class I misdemeanor; and One component of the divided (continued page 2) (continued page 3)

INSIDE: Virtual meeting bill clears first round • Mental health insurance bill advanced • Priority bill lists March 15 - 18, 2021 Student journalist, advisor protections advance (continued from front page) an unwarranted invasion of privacy, ments amendment was Bayard Sen. with — but a student asking questions violates state or federal law or incites . Local school boards ... they are learning, and they go on students to engage in an unlawful act. should have ultimate control over to do great things in life because they Student journalists and advisors which issues are covered by school- question.” would not be subject to discipline for sponsored media, he said, because The Clements amendment lost on exercising their rights as protected community norms differ. a vote of 15-26. under the bill. “When you put in place a specific Hastings Sen. Sen. of Peru spoke in rule or regulation or opportunity for then brought an amendment, which support of the proposal. As a former students to write something, those failed 14-23, that would have allowed student journalist, Slama said she students in Harrison [for example] individual school districts to choose understands the importance of having may find it very difficult for their com- whether to designate their student- guardrails in place for student media. munity if they write something that’s produced media as part of a public fo- “The simple fact of the matter is that acceptable in Omaha,” Erdman said. rum. He said doing so would reinforce these students [already] are free to post Sen. of North Platte school autonomy and self-governance. whatever they want on [social media] also supported the amendment. A Morfeld opposed the Halloran regardless of journalistic standards,” single tenured faculty advisor could amendment, saying it would remove Slama said. “I do think LB88 provides a unduly influence what student jour- all protections proposed in LB88 and great framework for a student journalist nalists write, he said, and school would codify current practice instead. to express their opinion and to practice administrators would be powerless to After approximately eight hours of journalism, all under the supervision of stop them under LB88. discussion, Morfeld offered a motion a faculty advisor.” Opposing the amendment and to invoke cloture, which ends debate Elmwood Sen. Robert Clements speaking in support of the bill was and forces a vote on the bill and any offered an amendment to remove high Norfolk Sen. Mike Flood. He said that pending amendments. Lawmakers school journalists from the protections curiosity and questioning authority are voted 33-12 to invoke cloture. Thirty- proposed in LB88. Clements said des- the foundations of journalism. three votes were needed. ignating all student media as part of “What I see here is the learning Following the successful cloture the public forum would give students that comes from students being em- motion, senators voted 15-25 to reject too much power. powered with the same rights that they a pending amendment from Thurston “With public forums, my under- have in society and doing it under the Sen. that would have standing is that the school no longer roof of the schoolhouse,” Flood said. removed student control over advertise- would really have editorial supervision “Yes, it’s uncomfortable — and yes, ments published in school-sponsored over the content,” he said. it is not pragmatic or what an admin- media. Lawmakers then voted 28-15 to Speaking in support of the Cle- istrator wants to wake up and deal advance LB88 to select file. n 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 ailem [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: Kate Heltzel; Writers: Kyle Harpster, Ami Johnson, Mike Malloy; Photographer: Bess Ghormley

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PAGE 2 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE March 15 - 18, 2021

Regulatory framework for racetrack casinos advanced

(continued from front page) • allow the commission to hire betting wider than it’s ever been in- She said she voted against the ballot investigators, inspectors and terpreted.” initiatives but acknowledged that op- other personnel necessary to Lowe disagreed, saying that Ne- ponents “lost big” and said senators administer and enforce all braskans didn’t intend to allow now should implement the will of provisions of the Nebraska sports wagering when they voted to the people. Racetrack Gaming Act. legalize gaming at racetracks. Games Albrecht opposed the amendment, Debate focused on the other two of chance, he said, include things like saying that its provisions were not part components of the original committee card games and lotteries but not sports of the underlying bill and had not had amendment. One of those, adopted wagering. a public hearing. In addition, she said, 31-10, would authorize sports wager- Thurston Sen. Joni Albrecht also electronic tickets would speed up the ing in designated areas at Nebraska opposed the proposal, saying that game. racetrack casinos and grant authority even backers of the gaming initiatives “It allows people to spend their to the State Racing and Gaming Com- specifically stated that sports wagering money quicker,” Albrecht said. “[They] mission to adopt and enforce rules. would not be included in authorized could possibly lose a job because of it, Under the amendment, in-person casinos. could possibly lose a marriage because wagers could be placed on profes- “If they say [sports wagering] was of it, could possibly not be able to feed sional, collegiate and international not part of the casino gambling aspect their children because of it.” sports but not on interscholastic, of it, I guess I don’t understand why Briese assured lawmakers that the youth or fantasy sports. Wagers on we would just arbitrarily decide to put General Affairs Committee would the performance or nonperformance it in the bill,” Albrecht said. hold a hearing on the amendment of an individual athlete in a collegiate A third component of the divided if it became part of LB561. Senators sporting event involving a Nebraska amendment would allow individuals voted 26-18 to adopt the amendment. team also would be excluded. to play keno on an electronic ticket After several hours of debate, the Briese said Nebraska voters deliv- purchased at a licensed lottery op- bill advanced to select file on a vote ered a clear mandate to allow gam- erator. Currently, keno tickets must of 37-5. n ing at racetracks, including sports be purchased on a paper ticket with wagering, and said the amended bill cash. The amendment would allow would implement that decision within purchase with an app or debit card established parameters. linked to a bank account. Credit card “We owe it to the voters to get this payments would be prohibited. in place in a timely manner,” he said. Omaha Sen. John Cavanaugh “When 70-plus percent of Nebraska said the change would allow keno voters approved games of chance they operators to remain competitive once approved sports betting, period.” racetrack casinos are established. Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha sup- Sen. of Bellevue sup- ported the amendment. He said the ported the amendment, saying that ballot initiatives were self-enacting, keno proceeds generate revenue that meaning that sports betting is legal cities rely on for community improve- in Nebraska regardless of whether the ment projects. Legislature takes action. “I’m not a big fan of gambling, but “Casinos will be built,” Wayne I am a big fan of community better- said. “If you don’t like gambling, ment funds,” Blood said. which some of you don’t — clearly — Sen. of Elk- you need to vote for this amendment horn also supported the amendment or you’re going to open up sports despite her opposition to gambling.

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 3 March 15 - 18, 2021

An Agriculture Committee amend- practice is against the law if those buyers ment, adopted 44-0, removed a provi- do not own the animal prior to slaugh- sion in the original bill that would ter, which he said is seldom the case. have required a farmer or rancher who “Sen. Brandt’s bill corrects that — Animal shares, independent sells an animal share to register with makes us law-abiding citizens,” he said. processor assistance advance the state Department of Agriculture Omaha Sen. John Cavanaugh and report the number of animal also supported the bill, saying many Senators gave first-round approval shares sold each year. Nebraska families do not have the March 16 to a bill that would allow It also removed a provision that resources to buy and store a quarter or farmers and ranchers to offer livestock would have limited the number of half of beef. LB324 would allow them ownership shares to customers. livestock a person could sell under to buy smaller amounts of healthier, Introduced by Plymouth Sen. Tom animal share contracts. locally raised meat and generate eco- Brandt, LB324 The amendment would require the nomic activity by encouraging them would allow the name and address of each individual to build relationships with Nebraska acquisition of meat with an ownership interest in the par- farmers and ranchers, he said. through an animal ticular livestock to be presented to the “People want to have that con- share — an owner- processor prior to slaughter. nection with where their food comes ship interest in an Brandt said LB324 also would create from,” Cavanaugh said. animal or herd of an independent processor assistance Senators voted 46-0 to advance the animals created by Sen. Tom Brandt program that potentially would use bill to select file. a written contract between a consumer federal funding to increase Nebraska’s and a farmer or rancher — under cer- meat processing capacity. Before the tain conditions. pandemic, he said, a typical producer Brandt said meat sold by the pack- would schedule livestock processing age typically must be inspected by four to six weeks in advance but now the U.S. Department of Agriculture. can expect to wait up to two years. However, he said, the claim to owner- The program would provide fund- ship created by an animal share would ing to certain federally inspected, state Mental health insurance allow a producer to sell packages of inspected or custom-exempt slaughter requirements advance meat to consumers under a custom and processing facilities in Nebraska exemption in federal law. that employ fewer than 25 people. Senators gave first-round approval Animal share contracts would Recipients could use the funds to March 15 to a bill that would create include a bill of sale and a provision pay for capital improvements, utilities insurance parity for mental health under which the consumer boards upgrades, equipment, technology, services provided through telehealth the animal or herd with the farmer or building rentals, costs associated with in Nebraska. rancher for care and processing and increased inspections and educational LB487, introduced by La Vista the consumer is entitled to receive a and workforce training. Sen. John Arch, share of meat from the animal or herd. Under the committee amendment, would prohibit a Among other requirements, the ani- the department would administer the private health in- mal share owner — or someone acting program if funds are made available. surance plan that on their behalf — would have to receive Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte covers mental the meat, and the farmer or rancher supported LB324. He said it would health treatment would have to provide the consumer create opportunities for entrepreneurs from establishing Sen. John Arch with a description of their livestock who want to raise organic beef and sell rates, terms or con- health and processing standards. it through a cooperative whose members ditions that place a greater financial A farmer or rancher who offers an wish to know the origin of their meat. burden on an insured for accessing animal share would have to be a Ne- Many Nebraskans buy quarters treatment via telehealth. braska resident and maintain a record or halves of beef from small farms or The bill also would require that of each animal share sold. ranches, Groene said, but that common the reimbursement rate for telehealth

PAGE 4 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE March 15 - 18, 2021 treatment for a mental health condi- chance under the voters mandated,” Briese said. tion be the same as the rate for a com- Nebraska Race- Also in support was Bellevue Sen. parable treatment provided in person. track Gaming Act Carol Blood, who said that senators in Arch said private insurers volun- to the current list opposition were “making something tarily established such parity during of exceptions. out of nothing.” She said lawmakers the pandemic when telehealth usage The bill would shouldn’t ask a legal business to close “skyrocketed,” and that making the help implement down during a fair because of moral requirement permanent is a priority the provisions of Sen. Raymond Aguilar objections. for the state’s mental health provid- a constitutional amendment passed in “I don’t see anyone worried about ers. Telehealth increases accessibility, 2020 that authorized licensed horse the beer gardens at the county fairs he said, and insurance parity could racing tracks to offer games of chance. — because that’s an issue. People can encourage more people — especially in Aguilar said LB371 would enable get drunk and drive home intoxicated. rural areas — to seek treatment. such casinos located near fairgrounds Children could climb the fence and “Because of the pandemic, we are in Grand Island, Hastings and Colum- possibly get alcohol,” Blood said. “We learning that patients can effectively bus to remain open while fairs are being can sit here and pontificate all day receive these services from almost held. He assured lawmakers that there long on the what-ifs.” anywhere,” Arch said. would not be “poker tables by the Ferris Senators advanced LB371 to select Omaha Sen. sup- wheel” because the casinos would be file on a 38-5 vote. ported the bill, saying the state should located in a building with a dedicated prioritize access to health care both entrance that is separate from the fair. during the pandemic and beyond. “There is a way to allow both the “All of us are only as healthy as the fair and the casino to conduct business least taken care of, the poorest insured as normal while remaining distinctly — the person with the least access to separate from each other,” Aguilar said. health care in our state,” she said. Lincoln Sen. said the Following the 47-0 adoption of a bill gave her pause because it could lead Virtual meeting bill clears first technical Banking, Commerce and to parents gambling in the casino while round Insurance Committee amendment, their children participate in the fair. senators voted 46-0 to advance LB487 “On the midway [you] end up hav- City councils, county boards and to select file. ing a large number of young people other political subdivisions would who are not supervised,” Geist said. “I have greater flexibility to meet virtu- see that as a problem — a ripe situation ally under a bill that advanced from for human traffickers.” general file March 15. Sen. John Lowe of Kearney opposed LB83, as introduced by Norfolk Sen. LB371, saying that games of chance and Michael Flood, family friendly fairs don’t mix. would allow may- Fairground gaming bill advanced “It’s about the family and I think ors, county board during that time we have to look at chairpersons and A bill to allow games of chance at ourselves and see what’s important in village board chair- licensed racetracks in Nebraska that life,” Lowe said. “The fairs are about persons to hold are located near fairgrounds to oper- showing off our best.” meetings virtually ate at the same time as a fair advanced Sen. Tom Briese of Albion spoke during a declared Sen. Michael Flood from general file March 16. in support of the bill. He said voters emergency. The bill defines virtual Current law prohibits gambling and delivered a mandate in favor of casino conferencing as a meeting conducted other “indecent” activity within 660 gaming at racetracks in the 2020 gen- electronically or by phone. feet of a state, district, county or agri- eral election and it is the Legislature’s Under the bill, political subdivi- cultural fair and provides exceptions. duty to implement that decision. sions currently subject to the state’s LB371, introduced by Grand Island Sen. “What Sen. Aguilar proposes here Open Meetings Act and allowed to Raymond Aguilar, would add games of is entirely consistent with what the conduct one half of their annual

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 5 March 15 - 18, 2021 meetings by video conferencing and [during a virtual meeting] but you at each remote location; and teleconferencing would be allowed can’t deal with your payroll or pay • require a declaration by the to hold virtual meetings. An official claims,” he said. governor to trigger the bill’s participating in such a virtual meet- LB83 also would expand the list of emergency provisions. ing could do so from any location. political subdivisions allowed to meet Henderson Sen. said Current requirements regarding ad- virtually to include natural resources LB83 would help individuals who vanced publicized notice and at least districts and local public health districts. may not be able to participate in an one physical site available for public A Government, Military and in-person meeting, although he would participation still would apply. Veterans Affairs Committee amend- prefer that most official meetings be The bill also would allow authorized ment, adopted 48-0, would reaffirm held in person. entities to discuss regular business dur- the validity of any actions taken by a “Personal meetings still need to ing a virtual meeting under a governor- public body between March 17, 2020, be held quite often because there’s declared emergency. Currently, they may and April 30, 2021, in reliance on an nothing like having a room full of use virtual means in that circumstance executive order from the governor that people … when you’re making tough only to address the existing emergency. waived open meeting requirements decisions,” he said. Flood said the change would allow during the pandemic. Sen. of Gordon also a governing body to conduct necessary The amendment also would: supported the bill, saying the intent regular business virtually during an • add regional metropolitan tran- was not to “take public meetings emergency. sit authorities and metropolitan and throw them into the dustbins of “If you’re in Plattsmouth and utilities districts to the list of history” but rather to allow public there’s flooding and you need to buy qualifying political subdivisions; entities to continue to do business in sandbags, or you need to move assets • require that at least one mem- emergency situations. around to get more sandbags to deal ber of the political subdivision Senators advanced LB83 to select with the flooding, you can do that holding the meeting be present file on a 48-0 vote. n

Priority bills generally are scheduled for debate before Priority other bills. Each senator may select one priority bill and each standing committee may select two priority bills. Bills Additionally, the speaker may select 25 priority bills. SENATOR PRIORITY BILLS Priority Bill Introducer One-line description

Aguilar LB371 Aguilar Provide for games of chance under the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act at state, district, and county fair locations Albrecht LB281 Albrecht Require child sexual abuse prevention instructional programs for school students and staff Arch LB400 Arch Change requirements related to coverage of telehealth by insurers and medicaid Blood LB14 Blood Adopt the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Bostar LB630 Bostar Provide for a study of the efficacy of commercial air filters in classrooms Bostelman LB338 Bostelman Provide powers and duties for the Public Service Commission regarding redirection of funding for broadband services Brandt LB306 Brandt Provide eligibility requirements for the low-income home energy assistance program Brewer LB409 Brewer Provide a moratorium on construction of electric transmission lines and create the Electric Transmission Line Study Committee of the Legislature Briese LB2 Briese Change the valuation of agricultural land and horticultural land for certain school district taxes

PAGE 6 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE March 15 - 18, 2021 SENATOR PRIORITY BILLS Priority Bill Introducer One-line description

J. Cavanaugh LB320 J. Cavanaugh Change provisions relating to violence on premises under the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act M. Cavanaugh LR29 M. Cavanaugh Provide for appointment by the Executive Board of a special committee to be known as the Eastern Service Area Child Welfare Contract Special Investigative and Oversight Committee of the Legislature Clements LB236 Brewer Permit counties to authorize carrying concealed weapons as prescribed Day LB639 Day Adopt the Seizure Safe Schools Act DeBoer LB485 DeBoer Change provisions relating to child care assistance Dorn LB103 Dorn Appropriate funds to aid counties to pay certain federal judgments Erdman LR11CA Erdman Constitutional amendment to require enactment of a consumption tax and prohibit certain other forms of taxation Flood LB649 Flood Adopt the Nebraska Financial Innovation Act Friesen LB454 Friesen Adopt the School Property Tax Stabilization Act and change the valuation of agricultural land Geist LB408 Briese Adopt the Property Tax Request Act Gragert LB387 Brewer Change provisions relating to the taxation of military retirement benefits Groene LB40 Groene Adopt the Nebraska Rural Projects Act Halloran LR14 Halloran Resolution to Congress for convention of the states to propose amendments to the United States Constitution B. Hansen LB644 B. Hansen Adopt the Property Tax Request Act M. Hansen LB258 Vargas Adopt the Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act Hilgers LB388 Friesen Adopt the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act Hilkemann LB496 Hilkemann Require collection of DNA samples for persons arrested for crimes of violence Hughes LB650 Flood Adopt the Nebraska Geologic Storage of Carbon Dioxide Act Hunt LB260 Hunt Change provisions relating to good cause for voluntarily leaving employment under the Employment Security Law Kolterman LB64 Lindstrom Change provisions relating to the taxation of social security benefits Lathrop LB54 Lathrop Change immunity for intentional torts under the Political Subdivisions Tort Claims Act and the State Tort Claims Act Lindstrom LB39 Lindstrom Change the Sports Arena Facility Financing Assistance Act Linehan LB364 Linehan Adopt the Opportunity Scholarships Act and provide tax credits Lowe LB273 Lowe Change provisions relating to youth rehabilitation and treatment centers McCollister LB108 McCollister Change provisions relating to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program McDonnell LB298 McDonnell Change provisions of the Employment Security Law relating to the disqualification of certain aliens McKinney LB451 McKinney Include characteristics associated with race, culture, and personhood within definition of race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles under the Nebraska Fair Employment Practice Act, and change provisions relating to unlawful employment practices Morfeld LB88 Morfeld Protect free speech rights of student journalists and student media advisers Moser LB579 Moser Change provisions relating to Department of Transportation reports regarding highway construction and state intent regarding appropriations Murman LB390 Murman Provide for credentials based on reciprocity and change requirements for credentials under the Uniform Credentialing Act Pahls LB26 Wayne Provide a sales tax exemption for residential water service Pansing Brooks LB307 Pansing Brooks Change provisions relating to appointment of counsel for juveniles Sanders LB389 Sanders Require the issuance of teaching certificates and permits to military spouses Slama LB139 Briese Adopt the COVID-19 Liability Protection Act Stinner LB18 Kolterman Change provisions relating to equivalent employees and qualified locations under the ImagiNE Nebraska Act Vargas LB241 Vargas Adopt the Meatpacking Employees COVID-19 Protection Act Walz LB542 Walz Authorize the issuance of highway bonds under the Nebraska Highway Bond Act Wayne LB544 Wayne Adopt the Urban Redevelopment Act and provide tax incentives Williams LB322 Williams Adopt the School Safety and Security Reporting System Act Wishart LB474 Wishart Adopt the Medicinal Cannabis Act

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 7 March 15 - 18, 2021 COMMITTEE PRIORITY BILLS Priority Bill Introducer One-line description

Agriculture LB324 Brandt Change provisions of the Nebraska Meat and Poultry Inspection Law LB572 Halloran Change provisions of the Livestock Brand Act Appropriations LB566 McDonnell Adopt the Shovel-Ready Capital Recovery and Investment Act LB488 Stinner Change provisions relating to appropriations Banking, LB375 Kolterman Adopt the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Regulation and ransparencyT Act Commerce & LB487 Arch Change insurance coverage provisions for mental health conditions and serious Insurance mental illness Education LB529 Walz Change provisions for the distribution of lottery funds used for education, transfer powers and duties, create new acts and funds, and change education provisions LB528 Walz Provide, change, and eliminate provisions relating to education Executive Board LR18CA Wayne Constitutional amendment to change legislative term limits to three consecutive terms LR25 Health & Human Provide for appointment by the Executive Board of a special committee of the Services Legislature to be known as the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center Special Oversight Committee of the Legislature General Affairs LB274 Lowe Provide for taxation of ready-to-drink cocktails, the sale of mixed alcoholic beverages by certain retailers and farm wineries, and promotional farmers market special designated licenses under the Nebraska Liquor Control Act LB561 Briese Change provisions relating to the State Racing Commission and provide regulatory authority of the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act Government, LB83 Flood Change the Open Meetings Act to provide for virtual conferencing Military & LB285 Brewer Change provisions relating to elections conducted pursuant to the Election Act Veterans Affairs Health & Human LB428 Health & Human State that juveniles at youth rehabilitation and treatment centers are to receive Services Services an appropriate education equivalent to educational opportunities offered in public schools LB376 M. Cavanaugh Authorize the application for and implementation of services and supports for developmentally disabled children and their families and provide duties for the Advisory Committee on Developmental Disabilities Judiciary LB51 Lathrop Change and provide qualifications for and duties relating to certification of law enforcement officers, require accreditation of law enforcement agencies, prohibit chokeholds in law enforcement, and require policies on excessive force LB568 Pansing Brooks Change provisions relating to truancy, juvenile courts, the Community-based Juvenile Services Aid Program, the Commission Grant Program, and compulsory education Legislature's LB132 DeBoer Create the School Financing Review Commission Planning Natural LB399 Bostelman Change provisions relating to rural water districts Resources LB507 Bostelman Prohibit the use of treated seed corn in the production of agricultural ethyl alcohol in certain circumstances Nebraska LB147 Kolterman Change provisions relating to retirement systems for Class V school districts Retirement LB17 Kolterman Change actuarial valuation and amortization provisions for certain state Systems retirement systems Revenue LB432 Revenue Change income tax rates LB595 Albrecht Provide a sales tax exemption for certain products used in the process of manufacturing ethyl alcohol State-Tribal LB185 Brewer Appropriate funds to the Department of Health and Human Services for public Relations health aid

PAGE 8 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE March 15 - 18, 2021 COMMITTEE PRIORITY BILLS Priority Bill Introducer One-line description

Transportation & LB215 Hughes Change 911 service surcharge provisions Telecommun- LB522 Friesen Change a motor vehicle identification inspection training provision under the ications Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Act Urban Affairs LB131 Hunt Change provisions relating to the enactment of ordinances LB156 Wayne Adopt the Municipal Inland Port Authority Act

SPEAKER PRIORITY BILLS Priority Bill Introducer One-line description

Speaker Hilgers LB9 Blood Change annexation requirements and property tax special valuation provisions Speaker Hilgers LB81 Hilkemann Provide authority for sanitary and improvement districts to own, construct, and maintain public parking facilities Speaker Hilgers LB84 Bostelman Redefine terms elatingr to tax incentive performance audits and the ImagiNE Nebraska Act Speaker Hilgers LB92 Clements Change residency requirements for college tuition purposes for students from schools that elect not to meet accreditation or approval requirements Speaker Hilgers LB143 Kolterman Require notice to school districts regarding changes in child placement Speaker Hilgers LB152 Slama Change provisions regarding fireworks Speaker Hilgers LB154 Wayne Require tracking of student discipline as prescribed Speaker Hilgers LB197 Vargas Change residency requirements for college tuition purposes for participants in the National and Community Service State Grant Program Speaker Hilgers LB247 Pansing Brooks Create the Mental Health Crisis Hotline Task Force Speaker Hilgers LB271 Morfeld Adopt the 24/7 Sobriety Program Act Speaker Hilgers LB283 Briese Provide for year-round daylight saving time Speaker Hilgers LB336 Hughes Provide for regular and limited annual and temporary state park entry permits Speaker Hilgers LB366 Briese Change the Nebraska Advantage Microenterprise Tax Credit Act Speaker Hilgers LB396 Brandt Adopt the Nebraska Farm-to-School Program Act Speaker Hilgers LB406 McDonnell Create the Lower Platte River Infrastructure Task Force and provide funding Speaker Hilgers LB411 Lathrop Require sharing of information with the designated health information exchange Speaker Hilgers LB423 Lathrop Require registration of home inspectors Speaker Hilgers LB452 McKinney Adopt the Financial Literacy Act Speaker Hilgers LB497 DeBoer Provide for compensation under the Nebraska Crime Victim's Reparations Act for health care providers examining or treating victims of sexual assault or domestic assault Speaker Hilgers LB500 Geist Provide for venue for prosecution of certain offenses when committed using an electronic communication device Speaker Hilgers LB501 Flood Adopt the Uniform Easement Relocation Act Speaker Hilgers LB527 Walz Change provisions relating to transition services for students with a developmental disability Speaker Hilgers LB583 Murman Require electronic prescriptions for controlled substances Speaker Hilgers LB664 Groene Change distributions from the Mutual Finance Assistance Fund Speaker Hilgers LB682 Linehan Change the New Markets Job Growth Investment Act

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 9 March 15 - 18, 2021 Senator Contact Info

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PAGE 10 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE

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