UNICAMERAL UPDATE Stories published daily at Update.Legislature.ne.gov Vol. 38, Issue 12 / Mar. 23 - 26, 2015 Alzheimer’s state plan added to aging and disabled needs bill bill seeking to improve access the demonstration project. Agencies to existing services and would be chosen based on a proposal A support for Nebraskans who process and would be reimbursed for are aging or disabled was amended and their participation. advanced from general file March 24. Among other services, the demon- LB320, as introduced by Lincoln stration project centers would provide: Sen. , would establish re- • personal options counseling; source centers to provide information • mobility management; on long-term care services for aging • a home care provider registry; and disabled Nebraskans and their and family members and caregivers. • assistance in accessing and A Health and Human Services applying for public benefits Committee amendment, adopted programs. 26-0, replaced the bill. As amended, The project would operate through LB320 would create three demonstra- June 30, 2018. DHHS would be re- tion projects for Aging and Disability quired to contract for an evaluation Resource Centers (ADRC) to evaluate of the project, and would report to Sen. Kate Bolz said resource centers could help the aging and disabled delay institutional care the feasibility of establishing such the Legislature by Dec. 1, 2016, and centers statewide. again by Sept. 30, 2018. a better job of directing people to The state Department of Health Bolz said improved coordination community-based services that will and Human Services (DHHS) would and early planning are key to better allow them to live independently be required to award ADRC grants to serving the state’s aging and disabled longer, she said. area agencies on aging to participate in populations. Nebraska needs to do Nebraska ranks 35th in the nation (continued page 2) Attempt to repeal helmet law stalls bill that would no longer passengers to wear a helmet. a more attractive tourist destination require motorcyclists to wear In addition to benefitting the state for the 500,000 registered motorcy- A helmets stalled during the economically by increasing tourism, clists who live in surrounding states. first stage of debate March 23. Bloomfield said, repealing the helmet Tourists are estimated to spend $150 Introduced law could improve motorcycle safety per day while vacationing in the state, by Hoskins Sen. because some helmets reduce drivers’ he said, so Nebraska would enjoy a Dave Bloomfield, visibility and hearing. substantial economic boost from at- LB31 would re- “Accidents happen when those two tracting them as new visitors. peal the law that things go away,” Bloomfield said. “Our economy runs on people requires motor- Ogallala Sen. Ken Schilz spoke in spending money,” Schilz said. cycle and moped support of the bill. Without a helmet Lincoln Sen. operators and Sen. Dave Bloomfield law, he said, Nebraska would become disagreed, saying statistics regarding (continued page 3)

INSIDE: Meet Sen. Riepe • Medicaid for juvenile therapies advanced • Tax incentive evaluations advanced March 23 - 26, 2015 Alzheimer’s state plan added to aging and disabled needs bill (continued from front page) in provision of home and community- “They just do a wonderful job,” The task force would deliver the based services, Bolz said, adding that Kolterman said. “And if they had the plan to the governor and the Legis- LB320 would pay for itself by keeping resources that are needed, they could lature by Dec. 15, 2016. The amend- people from entering nursing home- do a lot more.” ment also would extend the task force level care facilities. Hyannis Sen. Al Davis brought an termination date to Jan. 1, 2017, to “This kind of approach will help us amendment, originally introduced as accommodate work on the state plan. to best utilize both public and private LB405, which would develop a state In developing a state plan, the task resources,” she said. Alzheimer’s plan. The amendment force would: Lincoln Sen. Kathy Campbell sup- would require the Aging Nebraskans • determine existing services and ported the bill and the amendment, Task Force to develop a state plan to resources in the state; saying Nebraska’s population age 65 address the needs of individuals with • develop recommendations to and older is expected to grow from ap- Alzheimer’s and related disorders. respond to escalating needs; proximately 246,000 to over 324,000 • examine quality of care mea- by 2020. The state needs to proactively sures for service delivery; and prepare for that growth, she said. • develop strategies to identify “This is an extremely practical so- gaps in services. lution to making sure that our aging Davis said over 40,000 Nebras- Nebraskans across the state get the kans are expected to be affected by information that they need and, if Alzheimer’s by 2025. Many of them at all possible, to keep them in their live in small communities with little homes—safe and healthy,” Campbell access to needed resources, he said, said. making statewide coordination of Sen. of Seward services especially important. spoke in favor of the bill and the “Nebraska is one of five states that amendment, saying the state’s area does not have a state plan for those agencies on aging are the right venue with Alzheimer’s,” he said. to coordinate the state’s response to The Davis amendment was ad- the needs of its aging and disabled Sen. Al Davis said Nebraska needs a statewide opted 27-0 and LB320 advanced to populations. plan to address Alzheimer’s disease. select file on a vote of 27-1. 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: Kate Heltzel, Ami Johnson, Jon Taylor; Photographer: Bess Ghormley

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PAGE 2 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 104TH LEGISLATURE March 23 - 26, 2015

Helmet law repeal stalls Committee (continued from front page) the number of motorcycle riders Sen. of Omaha Hearings passing through the state to Sturgis, opposed the bill, saying many of the *Current hearing schedules S.D., for example, have been inflated. liberties that people enjoy are accom- are always available at: Figures supplied by an AAA represen- panied by regulations and responsibili- nebraskalegislature.gov/calendar tative during committee testimony ties, such as wearing a seatbelt while Tuesday, March 31 estimated that fewer than 11,000 driving. Agriculture motorcyclists would contribute tour- “We don’t know when that acci- Room 2102 - 1:10 p.m. ism dollars to Nebraska communities, dent is going to happen,” Hilkemann Appointments: Mary Baker, Barbara she said. said. “That’s the reason we protect Cooksley, Richard Koelsch - Climate Assessment Response Committee “This is not a big economic issue to ourselves—just in case.” our state,” Pansing Brooks said. After eight hours of debate span- Wednesday, April 1 North Platte Sen. ning three days, Bloomfield filed a Government, Military & Veterans Affairs also spoke in favor of the bill, saying motion to invoke cloture, which would Room 1507 - 1:00 p.m. that if legislators are highly concerned cease debate and force a vote on the Appointment: Sharon Medcalf - State Emergency Response Commission with keeping motorcyclists safe, they bill. The motion failed 24-18, as 33 also should consider regulating other votes were needed. Tuesday, April 7 risky activities such as bicycling. A failed cloture motion results in Natural Resources “If we are going to be our neigh- debate on a bill ceasing for the day. It is Room 1525 - 1:00 p.m. bor’s keeper, how far do you want to unlikely that the bill will be scheduled Appointment: James Reed Macy - Dept. of Environmental Quality g go?” Groene asked. for debate again this session. g

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104TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 3 March 23 - 26, 2015 Meet the Senator Riepe steps up to the plate elivered at the family home with people. It was a great way to learn do something about this!’” in rural Iowa with his grand- about what’s important to folks and The space now reflects the new Dmother’s assistance, Sen. how to connect.” senator’s personality, with photos Merv Riepe’s life began with the help Janet lost a 17-year struggle with taken by his wife and several pieces of a strong woman—and that has been multiple sclerosis, and Riepe focused of sculpture and artwork. Not that he a theme ever since. on being a father to their son and on has much time to enjoy the ambience. As the only son in a family of three work. “The learning curve here is steep,” sisters, he was the natural choice to While on the administrative staff of Riepe said. “I joke with people that follow in their father’s footsteps and Children’s Hospital, he was traveling the pace is similar to being in a bat- run the family farm. But Riepe’s father from Dallas back to Omaha and spot- ting cage with a toy bat—facing two wanted him to find his own path, ted a woman in the St. Louis airport. high-speed machines and without a which led him to join the U.S. Navy at As luck would have it, they ended up helmet.” 17 and become a hospital corpsman. on the same plane with only one seat In spite of the challenges, Riepe “My dad told me that I should take separating them. Riepe learned that she said he is looking forward to bringing over the farm only because I wanted was headed to Omaha to see family. his work experience to the Legislature. to, not because I had to,” he said. “I “I told her that 10 days seemed like He hopes to focus on Medicaid reform ended up studying respiratory therapy a long time to spend with just fam- and developing better systems for at the University of California, Los ily,” he said, hoping for a lunch date. health care delivery. Angeles because the program was a bit Sparks flew and he has been married “As I always tell my son, the impor- like being on a farm; it felt like family.” to Jody for 17 years. tant thing in life is to be coachable,” There also may have been a girl- “She’s a very talented interior de- Riepe said. “I have a great deal to friend involved in the decision to stay signer,” Riepe said. “She saw my office learn, but I am excited about all of in California, “but that’s a story for at the Capitol and said, ‘We have to it.” g another day,” he said, laughing. After developing an interest in finance and administration, Riepe worked his way through undergradu- ate school at the University of Nebras- ka at Omaha and graduate school at the University of Iowa. He went on to become a hospital administrator. Ri- epe retired in 2008, but found himself taking a variety of interim positions. “I didn’t do retirement very well,” he said. His late wife, Janet, was the driving force in Riepe’s interest in politics. Her father was a sheriff in Hastings, he said, and she was as adept at helping her father win support as any seasoned politician. “She could work a room,” he said. “And she would push me to engage Sen. Riepe gets hugs from grandchildren Brynn and Drew.

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value rather than fair market value. and out-of-home placements. Senators advanced the bill to select The problem, Howard said, is file on a 42-0 vote. that the current billing process is so burdensome that the cost to bill for the therapies often is greater than the Plan to sell Norfolk’s former reimbursement that providers receive. regional center advanced As a result, she said, there is no incen- tive for providers to offer them. The site of a former regional center “This bill is about a service that we would come under new ownership already cover,” Howard said. “We’re under a bill advanced from general trying to clarify the Medicaid state file March 25. Medicaid payment for juvenile plan so that our managed care pro- LB56, introduced by Norfolk Sen. therapies advanced vider feels comfortable billing [for] it.” Jim Scheer, initially Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston said would have donat- Lawmakers gave first-round ap- lawmakers should give the new admin- ed the land housing proval March 24 to a bill that would istration time to examine problems Norfolk’s former authorize Medicaid reimbursement with DHHS and the state’s Medicaid regional center to for therapies used to assist troubled program before asking for a state plan Northeast Commu- Nebraska youth. amendment. He also expressed con- nity College. Un- LB500, sponsored by Omaha cern that the bill would constitute an used for more than Sen. Jim Scheer Sen. , expansion of Medicaid. 20 years, the land is adjacent to the would direct the “DHHS is a broken system,” he college campus. state Department said. “I want to be part of helping “The buildings have not been of Health and them be successful.” used, are decaying and are in terrible Human Services Seward Sen. Mark Kolterman sup- condition,” Scheer said. “[Northeast (DHHS) to submit ported the bill, calling it a way to begin Community College] is poised to have an application by reforming the state’s Medicaid system. the ability to bring in entrepreneurs to July 1, 2015, to the Sen. Sara Howard Currently, funding for MST and FFT help encourage real economic develop- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for qualified juveniles is paid with gen- ment throughout Nebraska.” Services for a state plan amendment eral fund dollars, he said, while Med- An Executive Board amendment, to provide payment for multisystemic icaid is the more appropriate source. adopted 33-0, instead would give therapy (MST) and functional fam- “I’m not a supporter of Medicaid the college the first right of refusal ily therapy (FFT) for youth who are expansion,” Kolterman said, “but I to purchase the property at its fair eligible for both Medicaid and the didn’t look at this as Medicaid expan- market value. Children’s Health Insurance Program. sion as I approached the issue.” Venango Sen. Dan Hughes sup- A Health and Human Services Campbell agreed, saying the state ported the bill, saying it is time for the Committee amendment, adopted 26- should access available federal dollars state to take care of the dilapidated 0, removed youth who are on proba- to offset the cost of services that are property. tion from the bill’s provisions. Lincoln proven effective. Medicaid funds are, “The roofs are leaking, the win- Sen. Kathy Campbell, chairperson of in part, tax dollars that Nebraskans dows are broken and the doors are the committee, said the change would have paid into the system, she said. wide open,” he said. “[LB56] would ensure that the bill meets federal re- “The emphasis here is that we have help the state clean up the property, quirements. a great opportunity to help youth … remove potential liability issues and Howard said the bill is an attempt stay in their home instead of being in clear a parth for that area of the state to clarify that the state already is obli- an out-of-home placement,” Campbell to continue to grow.” gated to provide MST and FFT if the said. “And we have a chance to rebuild Columbus Sen. Paul Schumacher services can be accessed. She said the families.” introduced an amendment, adopted therapies involve the entire family of The bill advanced to select file on 37-0, which clarified that the sale would a troubled youth and have proven ef- a vote of 28-1. be based on the property’s appraised fective in reducing juvenile recidivism

104TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 5 March 23 - 26, 2015

UNMC disease training center dquist said. “UNMC has responded the Community-based Juvenile Ser- resolution approved to a global crisis just as Nebraskans vices Aid Program to develop a data would be expected to do.” system and evaluate the effectiveness Lawmakers approved a resolution Senators adopted LR41 on a 31-0 of the program. The provisions would March 26 recommending that an vote. require recipients to submit annual infectious disease training center be reports to the University of Nebraska established in Nebraska. at Omaha Juvenile Justice Institute. LR41, introduced by the Health LB25, the second bill, would extend and Human Services Committee, jurisdiction of the juvenile court. urges Nebraska’s congressional delega- Krist brought an amendment tion to support efforts in Congress to to the committee amendment that establish an infectious disease training Out-of-home juvenile made technical changes and clarified center at the University of Nebraska placement updates advance that the juvenile court could extend Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha. its jurisdiction to young adults who The medical center is home to the Collection and management of were under age 18 when an offense Nebraska Biocontainment Patient information regarding juveniles in was committed. Care Unit, which treated Ebola pa- out-of-home care is the focus of a bill The amendment was adopted 28-0 tients during the 2014 outbreak of amended and advanced from general and senators advanced the bill to select the disease. Built in 2005, the unit file March 24. file on a 29-0 vote. is one of only three facilities in the Introduced by Lincoln Sen. Kathy nation designed to care for patients Campbell, LB265 would make a num- OIG oversight of juvenile justice who have contracted the most highly ber of changes relating to juveniles and system amended, advanced contagious diseases. child welfare, including: Lincoln Sen. Kathy Campbell, • establishing a pilot project to A bill designed to change oversight chairperson of the demonstrate how state agency of the state’s juvenile justice system committee, said data can be used by state offices advanced from general file March 24. she introduced the to oversee juveniles in out-of- Under LB347, introduced by Sen. resolution, in part, home care; Bob Krist of Oma- to coincide with • permitting the Foster Care ha, the Office of the 10th anniver- Review Office or local board to the Inspector Gen- sary celebration participate in a foster care place- eral of Nebraska of the biocontain- Sen. Kathy Campbell ment dispositional hearing; and Child Welfare ment unit. The unit is recognized • defining a young adult as older (OIG) also would worldwide for its work treating Ebola than 18 years old but younger oversee the juve- patients, she said. than age 21. nile justice system. Sen. Bob Krist “This is a great opportunity to Campbell said the bill contains Currently, the OIG conducts audits, recognize what a wonderful resource ongoing refinements to the state’s inspections and other reviews of the we have,” Campbell said. child welfare system that are designed state’s child welfare system. Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist to provide more accurate information Krist said the bill is part of the supported the resolution. Following about children in out-of-home care. significant juvenile justice reforms the Ebola outbreak, he said, UNMC “We need these refinements to established by the Legislature in 2012. began fulfilling requests from other ensure our systems are workable and The improved accountability and medical institutions to train staff for accountable,” she said. transparency provided by the OIG future infectious incidents. Congres- A Judiciary Committee amend- would benefit the state, he said, by sional support would give UNMC an ment, adopted 29-0, replaced the bill helping to keep Nebraska’s youth out opportunity to expand its role as a and incorporated language from two of correctional facilities. leader in training healthcare profes- bills introduced Omaha Sen. Bob A Judiciary Committee amend- sionals, he said. Krist. ment, adopted 33-0, would authorize “This is a national treasure,” Nor- LB13 would set aside funding for the OIG and state Foster Care Review

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Office to access confidential records to be used on a juvenile appearing would evaluate several factors, includ- and allow the OIG access to video in court. These include situations in ing: testimony by a child victim or witness which a juvenile presents a substantial • the capability of the political describing sexual assault or abuse. risk of flight from the courtroom or subdivision to raise and secure The amendment also would permit has a history of disruptive courtroom necessary funding; courts to identify the OIG as an en- behavior that has placed others in • affordability to ratepayers; tity permitted to disclose confidential potentially harmful positions. • growth potential of the political information. Senators advanced the bill from subdivision; The bill advanced to select file on general file on a 32-0 vote. • efficacy of existing infrastruc- a 32-0 vote. ture for projected needs; • overall costs and environmental Procedures for juvenile benefits; offenders advanced • environmental improvements made by the political subdivi- Lawmakers gave first-round ap- sion; and proval March 24 to a bill relating to Pollutant permits advanced • other relevant economic and so- the treatment of juveniles charged cial concerns or environmental with certain crimes. Municipalities would be required conditions. Under LB482, introduced by to obtain a permit to discharge pol- A Natural Resources Committee Omaha Sen. Bob Krist, juveniles lutants under a bill advanced from amendment, adopted 29-0, would give charged with running away or being general file March 24. the department flexibility in deciding uncontrollable or truant would not be LB413, introduced by Omaha which criteria to use in evaluating fingerprinted or placed in a juvenile Sen. Heath Mello, individual permits. detention facility or out-of-home care would authorize the Committee chairperson Sen. Ken unless certain factors exist. state Department Schilz of Ogallala said that the amend- The bill also would require a of Environmental ment would make the process more county attorney to make reasonable Quality to issue per- effective. efforts to refer juveniles and family mits to any political “By changing the mandatory lan- to community-based resources and subdivision seeking guage, the Department of Environ- would prohibit juveniles from being to discharge pollut- Sen. Heath Mello mental Quality will be allowed to use restrained during court proceedings, ants from a point source into any body their discretion about what informa- unless certain conditions exist. of water in the state. tion will be most useful [to individual Krist said the bill is aimed at youth Mello said that communities of all political subdivisions],” he said. who commit status offense infrac- sizes across Nebraska face ever chang- Senators advanced the bill to select tions—such as skipping school or ing water regulations imposed by the file on a 34-0 vote. disobeying their parents—that do not federal Environmental Protection pose a risk to public safety. Because Agency (EPA). of the high risk of those youth to “These unfunded federal mandates reoffend, he said, it is important to ex- come with a significant price tag for haust all community-based treatment municipalities that must follow them,” options before out-of-home placement Mello said. “This is a critical tool for is considered. municipalities across the state in re- Tax on mechanical amusement “Our focus is to work with juveniles ducing the financial burden that will devices amended, advanced in the home and the community,” be imposed upon their businesses and Krist said. “We’re talking about kids. residents by the EPA.” Operators of mechanical amuse- We’re talking about their futures.” The political subdivision could ment devices would face an additional A Judiciary Committee amend- request an evaluation to determine tax under a bill advanced from select ment, adopted 28-0, outlined the how best to meet federal requirements file March 23. conditions necessary for restraints in a sustainable way. The department LB70, introduced by Columbus

104TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 7 March 23 - 26, 2015

Sen. Paul Schumacher, would im- request a hearing before the commis- cific goals and economic and fiscal im- pose the tax—10 sioner. The outcome of the hearing pacts of the program and recommend percent of the would be final, although the decision changes to evaluation procedures that gross revenue de- could be appealed under the state’s would allow for easier evaluation in rived from the Administrative Procedure Act. the future. operation of the Senators advanced the bill to final In addition to future tax incentive device—on any reading by voice vote. programs, eight current programs business operat- would be evaluated under LB538, ing such a device. Sen. Paul Schumacher Ongoing tax incentive including the: Schumacher said the state has seen evaluations advanced • Angel Investment Tax Credit a rapid proliferation of machines that Act; could be considered illegal gaming Senators gave first-round approval • Beginning Farmer Tax Credit machines under the Nebraska Con- March 24 to a bill that would require Act; stitution. regular evaluation of the state’s tax • Nebraska Advantage Act; Mechanical amusement device, as incentive programs. • Nebraska Advantage Microen- defined in state statute, includes any LB538, introduced by the Per- terprise Tax Credit Act; machine in which a person plays a game formance Audit Committee, would • Nebraska Advantage Research by inserting some form of currency, a create an ongoing evaluation process and Development Act; prize is paid and the results are deter- for all current and future tax incentive • Nebraska Advantage Rural mined by chance. Included are game programs enacted for the purpose of Development Act; and draw lotteries and coin-operated recruiting or retaining businesses in • Nebraska Job Creation and automatic musical devices. The bill Nebraska. Mainstreet Revitalization Act; does not include vending machines or Syracuse Sen. Dan Watermeier, and pickle card dispensing machines. chairperson of the committee, said • New Markets Job Growth In- Schumacher introduced an amend- that work con- vestment Act. ment, adopted 32-0, which would ducted by a spe- Watermeier introduced an amend- allow an operator of a mechanical cial tax incentive ment, adopted 34-0, which would amusement device to apply for an evaluation com- establish a sunset date of Dec. 31, exemption from the tax. To receive mittee in 2014 2019, for certain incentives under the the exemption, an operator would found that regu- Nebraska Advantage Act, Nebraska be required to apply to the tax com- lar evaluation of Advantage Rural Development Act missioner for a determination that current incentive Sen. Dan Watermeier and the New Markets Job Growth the device does not constitute illegal programs was needed. Investment Act. gaming. “The study found that the goals of Omaha Sen. Heath Mello spoke in The operator would have to prove the Nebraska tax incentive programs favor of the bill and the amendment, by a preponderance of evidence that are too broad to permit meaning- saying that continual evaluation of the device is specifically authorized by ful program evaluation,” he said. the state’s tax policy is a proven best state law or does not fall within the “[LB538] would allow lawmakers to practice. definition of a mechanical amusement draw conclusions about how tax incen- “We go through a process every device. tive programs are working and meeting year with regard to evaluating appro- If the commissioner determines their intended goals.” priations we, as a Legislature, choose that a device qualifies for the exemp- The Legislature’s Performance Au- to make,” he said. “It’s important that tion, the determination would be sent dit Office would develop and publish we use evidence-based evaluations to the attorney general for review. If a schedule for conducting the evalu- to determine whether tax incentive the attorney general does not object ations, ensuring that each program programs are meeting their outcomes within 30 days, the commissioner is reviewed at least once every three because we don’t really have that in would grant the exemption. years. Nebraska right now.” If a device is declared ineligible for Each evaluation of a tax incentive Senators advanced the bill to select the exemption, the operator could program would analyze program-spe- file on a 37-0 vote.

PAGE 8 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 104TH LEGISLATURE March 23 - 26, 2015

cannot compel a person to declare Garrett said current statute defines their opinion on an issue by threat- pedestrians in a way that excludes per- ening to deny the right to obtain a sons operating personal mobility de- driver’s license. vices such as scooters and wheelchairs. “The right to free expression is the The bill would give all pedestrians the right to not express yourself at all,” same protection regardless of their Organ donor status Chambers said. mobility, he said. requirement considered Hoskins Sen. Dave Bloomfield “This is a hole in the law that we supported the bracket motion, say- need to cover,” Garrett said. Senators debated a bill March 24 ing government should not require The bill originally would have ex- and 25 that would require Nebraskans that one’s organ donation status be tended the same rights to bicyclists. to indicate their organ donor status displayed on a driver’s license. A Transportation and Telecommu- when applying for a driver’s license. “It’s a voluntary decision and it nications Committee amendment, Introduced by Syracuse Sen. Dan should stay that way,” Bloomfield said. adopted 37-0, removed this provision. Watermeier, LB47 would require a The bracket motion failed on a Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion said person to state whether or not they 14-19 vote. bicyclists were removed from the bill wish to be an organ donor when ap- A pending Transportation and because they travel at a higher rate of plying for a state driver’s license or Telecommunications Committee speed than pedestrians. Drivers would identification card. amendment would exempt license and not have enough time to react to a cyclist The bill also specifies that an organ permit applicants under age 16 from suddenly entering a crosswalk, he said. donor’s status would continue until answering the organ donor question. “Our primary concern was the amended or revoked by the licensee The amendment also would reinstate safety of the bicyclists,” Smith said. and that a donor’s status could not language allowing individuals to termi- Garrett introduced an amendment be terminated by telephone. nate their donor status by telephone that would have reinserted a provision Watermeier said 90 percent of and clarify that donors who want to for bicycles but would have required Nebraska’s more than 750,000 organ specify which organs and tissues they cyclists to reduce their speed when and tissue donors registered through intend to donate must contact the entering a crosswalk and audibly warn the current driver’s license and state state’s donor registry. pedestrians before passing them. It identification card application pro- The Legislature adjourned for the also would have prohibited cyclists cess. Requiring an answer to the week before taking further action on from suddenly veering from sidewalks organ donation question likely would the bill. into traffic or operating a bicycle in increase the number of donors, he a manner that would endanger any said, which would help address the Rights for disabled pedestrians person or property. high demand for organs. amended, advanced If operated in a responsible man- “We have hundreds of people need- ner, Garrett said, bicycles should ing organ donations on any given day,” Senators amended and advanced be afforded the same protection as Watermeier said. a bill from general file March 24 pedestrians. Omaha Sen. John McCollister sup- concerning the rights of disabled Omaha Sen. Beau McCoy opposed ported the bill, saying organ donation pedestrians. the amendment, saying it contained a represents a public good that outweighs Introduced by Bellevue Sen. Tom- significant change that should be consid- the personal liberty possibly infringed my Garrett, LB641 ered as a separate bill in order to receive upon by the application question. More would give a person a public hearing. Additionally, he said, than 120,000 people are waiting for operating a manual language in the amendment regarding organ transplants in this country, he or motorized wheel- cyclists’ speed in crosswalks is too vague. said, and another person is added to chair on a sidewalk, Garrett said the amendment could the list every 12 minutes. in a crosswalk or use more work and he withdrew it Sen. of Omaha across a roadway from consideration. offered a motion March 24 to bracket the same rights as Sen. Tommy Garrett Senators then advanced the bill to the bill until June 5, the last scheduled other pedestrians. select file on a 34-0 vote. day of the session. He said the state

104TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 9 March 23 - 26, 2015

directly from financial institutions authority. to cases in which financing the pur- “We want to make sure that we chase of property or construction of have appropriate limitations to pro- improvements: tect the public interest and the tax- • would be impractical; payer while still being workable on the Borrowing authority for • could not be completed within ground for municipalities and banks,” municipalities amended, the time restraints facing the Crawford said. advanced municipality; or Gothenburg Sen. Matt Williams • would generate significant tax- spoke in favor of the bill, saying it Cities and towns in Nebraska payer savings over traditional would clarify the issue of direct bor- would have the express authority to bond financing. rowing. borrow funds to purchase property or The amendment also adds ad- “Currently, we have city attorneys construct improvements under a bill ditional public notice requirements that are giving communities conflict- advanced from general file March 25. for direct borrowing from a financial ing advice on whether or not they LB152, introduced by the Urban institution and caps the total amount can borrow from their local financial Affairs Committee, would allow of indebtedness from direct borrow- institutions,” he said. “And LB152 will municipalities to borrow from state- ing to 10 percent of the municipal clear that up.” or federally-chartered banks, savings budget for a city or 20 percent of the Sen. of Gering said banks, building and loan associations municipal budget for a village. banks have financed many small proj- and savings and loan associations. Bellevue Sen. , chair- ects for cities and villages, including Under the bill, funds could be person of the replacing fire trucks and upgrading borrowed for any purpose for which committee, said water systems. Such projects are more a municipality is authorized by law to the bill is an at- suitable for direct borrowing than purchase property or fund improve- tempt to remove bond financing, he said. ments. Loans would not be restricted ambiguity regard- “The idea of going out and trying to a single year and could be repaid in ing whether cities to get bonding for this is extremely installments. and villages have expensive,” Stinner said. An Urban Affairs Committee the authority to Sen. Sue Crawford The bill advanced to select file on amendment, adopted 33-0, limits the engage in direct borrowing, while a 37-0 vote. g ability of municipalities to borrow placing reasonable restrictions on that Unicameral Update online While the Unicameral Update print edition is mailed The site provides links to get the Update’s RSS and out weekly, the Web version of the publication, located Twitter feeds. Readers may search Update stories at update.legislature.ne.gov, is updated continually by bill number, senator’s name or keyword using the throughout the legislative day. search box provided in the top-right corner.

PAGE 10 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 104TH LEGISLATURE March 23 - 26, 2015 Senator Contact Info

Sen. Roy Baker Sen. Al Davis Sen. Robert Hilkemann Sen. Sen. Ken Schilz Lincoln, District 30 Hyannis, District 43 Omaha, District 4 Omaha, District 18 Ogallala, District 47 Room 1522 Room 1021 Room 1115 Room 1202 Room 1210 (402) 471-2620 (402) 471-2628 (402) 471-2621 (402) 471-2618 (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/dist04 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist18 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist47

Sen. Dave Bloomfield Sen. Laura Ebke Sen. Sara Howard Sen. John McCollister Sen. David Schnoor Hoskins, District 17 Crete, District 32 Omaha, District 9 Omaha, District 20 Scribner, District 15 Room 1206 Room 1101 Room 1012 Room 1017 Room 1118 (402) 471-2716 (402) 471-2711 (402) 471-2723 (402) 471-2622 (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/dist09 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist20 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist15

Sen. Kate Bolz Sen. Sen. Dan Hughes Sen. Beau McCoy Sen. Paul Schumacher Lincoln, District 29 Henderson, District 34 Venango, District 44 Omaha, District 39 Columbus, District 22 Room 1120 Room 1403 Room 1117 Room 2107 Room 1124 (402) 471-2734 (402) 471-2630 (402) 471-2805 (402) 471- 2885 (402) 471-2715 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist29 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist34 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist44 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist39 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist22

Sen. Lydia Brasch Sen. Tommy Garrett Sen. Jerry Johnson Sen. Heath Mello Sen. Les Seiler Bancroft, District 16 Bellevue, District 3 Wahoo, District 23 Omaha, District 5 Hastings, District 33 Room 1016 Room 1208 Room 1022 Room 1004 Room 1103 (402) 471-2728 (402) 471-2627 (402) 471-2719 (402) 471-2710 (402) 471-2712 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist16 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist03 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist23 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist05 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist33

Sen. Kathy Campbell Sen. Mike Gloor Sen. Bill Kintner Sen. Sen. Jim Smith Lincoln, District 25 Grand Island, District 35 Papillion, District 2 Lincoln, District 46 Papillion, District 14 Room 1402 Room 1116 Room 1000 Room 1008 Room 1110 (402) 471-2731 (402) 471-2617 (402) 471-2613 (402) 471-2720 (402) 471-2730 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist25 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist35 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist02 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist46 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist14

Sen. Ernie Chambers Sen. Mike Groene Sen. Sen. John Murante Sen. John Stinner Omaha, District 11 North Platte, District 42 Omaha, District 31 Gretna, District 49 Gering, District 48 Room 1114 Room 1101 Room 1018 Room 1423 Room 1406 (402) 471-2612 (402) 471-2729 (402) 471-2327 (402) 471-2725 (402) 471-2802 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist11 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist42 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist31 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist49 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist48

Sen. Colby Coash Sen. Ken Haar Sen. Mark Kolterman Sen. Jeremy Nordquist Sen. Kate Sullivan Lincoln, District 27 Malcolm, District 21 Seward, District 24 Omaha, District 7 Cedar Rapids, District 41 Room 2028 Room 1015 Room 1115 Room 2004 Room 1107 (402) 471-2632 (402) 471-2673 (402) 471-2756 (402) 471-2721 (402) 471-2631 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist27 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist21 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist24 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist07 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist41

Sen. Tanya Cook Sen. Galen Hadley Sen. Bob Krist Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks Sen. Dan Watermeier Omaha, District 13 Kearney, District 37 Omaha, District 10 Lincoln, District 28 Syracuse, District 1 Room 2011 Room 2103 Room 2108 Room 1523 Room 2000 (402) 471-2727 (402) 471-2726 (402) 471-2718 (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/dist37 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist10 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist28 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist01

Sen. Joni Craighead Sen. Sen. John Kuehn Sen. Merv Riepe Sen. Matt Williams Omaha, District 6 Lincoln, District 26 Heartwell, District 38 Ralston, District 12 Gothenburg, District 36 Room 1529 Room 1404 Room 1117 Room 1528 Room 2015 (402) 471-2714 (402) 471-2610 (402) 471-2732 (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/dist26 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist38 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist12 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist36

Sen. Sue Crawford Sen. Burke J. Harr Sen. Tyson Larson Sen. Jim Scheer Bellevue, District 45 Omaha, District 8 O’Neill, District 40 Norfolk, District 19 Room 1212 Room 2010 Room 1019 Room 1401 (402) 471-2615 (402) 471-2722 (402) 471-2801 (402) 471-2929 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] news.legislature.ne.gov/dist45 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist08 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist40 news.legislature.ne.gov/dist19

104TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 11 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

Capitol tour guide Roxanne Smith teaches Nebraska students about their State Capitol.