April 9-18, 2018
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UNICAMERAL UPDATE News published daily at Update.Legislature.ne.gov Vol. 41, Issue 15 / Apr. 9 - 18, 2018 propriations Committee for tackling a $200 million budget shortfall this session while making investments Session ends, eight in child welfare services, services for those with developmental disabilities senators depart and corrections. “Once again, by working together, we closed that gap, we balanced our budget, and we did it without raising taxes,” he said. Speaker Jim Scheer of Norfolk told lawmakers they had accomplished much during the 60-day session, but they left several issues—such as proper- ty tax reform, economic development, Medicaid expansion, marijuana policy and others—for future legislatures Gov. Pete Ricketts greets senators as he is escorted into the legislative chamber to deliver his to address. The speaker encouraged end of session remarks. senators who will return next session he second session of the 105th Turning to tax policy, Ricketts to spend the interim thinking about Legislature adjourned sine die praised lawmakers for passing a bill what they would like to accomplish. TApril 18. intended to prevent a nearly $200 mil- “Start working with other senators Six senators are leaving the Leg- lion tax increase on Nebraskans due this summer on the big issues,” he islature due to term limits: Bancroft to changes in the federal tax code last said. “Sit down with those outside Sen. Lydia Brasch, Omaha Sen. Burke year. However, he said, the Legislature of your usual circle of support to Harr, Omaha Sen. Bob Krist, O’Neill failed to pass a bill that would provide explore ways that compromise can be Sen. Tyson Larson, Columbus Sen. property tax relief despite support reached.” Paul Schumacher and Papillion Sen. from the public and various agricul- The first session of the 106th Leg- Jim Smith. Two more, Lincoln Sen. tural and business groups. islature is scheduled to convene Jan. Roy Baker and Heartwell Sen. John Ricketts also thanked the Ap- 9, 2019. g Kuehn, have decided not to seek re- election to a second term. In his remarks, Gov. Pete Ricketts commended senators for working together to pass legislation to prevent opioid abuse, increase speed limits on the state’s highways, ensure Nebraska students can read at grade level by the end of third grade and remove onerous occupational licensing regulations. “I think this session underscores the importance of that collabora- tion—working together—and how by doing that we can accomplish much,” Sen. Jim Scheer thanked his fellow senators for trusting him to serve as speaker for the past two he said. years, saying, “It has truly been my honor to serve in this capacity.” INSIDE: Highway speeds increased • Legislative oversight of mental health facilities approved April 9 - 18, 2018 Operation of autonomous vehicles approved awmakers passed a bill April 18 vehicle safety laws. “The risk is too great to just open that will allow driverless cars to Wishart said state statute currently this up to all vehicles,” Friesen said. L travel on the state’s roads. is silent on the issue of autonomous “We have no process in place where LB989, as originally introduced by vehicles. Implementing a regulatory we can suspend this if something goes Lincoln Sen. Anna Wishart, would framework would help Nebraska to be- wrong.” have authorized a come a national leader in autonomous The motion failed on a 14-16 vote. city of the primary vehicle technology, she said. Papillion Sen. Jim Smith intro- class to conduct An autonomous vehicle may or duced an amendment, adopted 33-9 a pilot project to may not contain a human driver. If a April 9, which requires the state test autonomous human driver is present in the vehicle, Department of Motor Vehicles to con- vehicles, which he or she must be a licensed driver and sult with railroad companies before operate without a covered by insurance. providing an exemption that would human operator. Sen. Anna Wishart The amended bill also authorizes allow fully autonomous vehicles to Currently, Lincoln is the only primary the operation of an on-demand auton- cross railroads. class city in the state. omous vehicle network, which could An amendment introduced by A proposed Transportation and provide transportation of persons or Friesen would have removed a provi- Telecommunications Committee goods, including for-hire transporta- sion allowing autonomous vehicles amendment would have authorized tion or public transportation. to deliver goods. It failed on a 20-26 the testing of autonomous vehicles Political subdivisions will be pro- vote. He then introduced a series of statewide under a special permit au- hibited from imposing any additional motions and amendments in an effort thorized by the state Department of performance requirements or taxes to extend debate on the bill. Motor Vehicles. that relate specifically to the operation Wishart offered a motion to invoke However, O’Neill Sen. Tyson Larson of an autonomous vehicle. cloture, or cease debate and vote on introduced an amendment, adopted Henderson Sen. Curt Friesen in- the bill April 9. The cloture motion 32-1 April 5, that replaced both the com- troduced a motion to recommit the was adopted 37-8. Thirty-three votes mittee amendment and the original bill. bill to the Transportation and Tele- were needed. As amended, these provisions authorize communications Committee. He said Lawmakers then voted 32-10 to the operation of an autonomous vehicle fully autonomous vehicles still have not adopt the committee amendment and on all state roads and highways, as long been approved by the Federal Highway advanced the bill to select file 33-13. as the vehicle is capable of operating Administration and are meant to be The bill was passed by the Legisla- in compliance with traffic and motor used only in pilot programs. ture April 18 on a 34-8 vote. 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, twitter.com/UnicamUpdate and facebook.com/UnicameralUpdate. 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 Unicameral Update is available as an audio recording from the Nebraska Library Commission’s Talking Book and Braille Service. Call (800) 742-7691 for more information. THE NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE’S OFFICIAL NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1977 PAGE 2 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 105TH LEGISLATURE April 9 - 18, 2018 his year marks the end of Tservice for eight senators. Be- fore adjournment, departing senators addressed their colleagues, re- Sen. Roy Baker Sen. Lydia Brasch flecting on their “I’ve never ceased to appreciate the “[Eventually] this will all be a hum- ability to walk into this marvelous bling memory of the honor and time in the Nebraska building each day.” privilege to serve an incredible state.” Unicameral. Sen. Burke Harr Sen. Bob Krist Sen. John Kuehn “It has been a privilege—no matter how “I was appointed and came in and “My service would not have been pos- short—to be a steward of this unique within 10 days we were in a special sible without the sacrifice of many, many institution.” session. I had a 3-hour orientation [friends and family] who may not realize and a 10-year tutelage.” the role they’ve played in my service.” Sen. Tyson Larson Sen. Paul Schumacher Sen. Jim Smith “I’ve cherished my time in this body “For now, in this fleeting moment, “There’s no avoiding the challenges, and all that I’ve learned, but at the time draws to a close and I must take but I’m confident there are solutions ripe age of 32, I’m ready to move on leave of this chamber.” to be found when each legislator looks to the next chapter of my life.” beyond the borders of his or her dis- trict, seeks understanding and fosters statewide views and perspectives.” 105TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 3 April 9 - 18, 2018 nally introduced by Omaha Sen. Burke Harr, which were amended into LB861 dur- ing general file Prairie dog management act State funds to counties for debate. The provi- repealed jail incident costs amended, sions outlined a approved Lawmakers voted April 18 to repeal process by which Sen. Burke Harr the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Manage- Lawmakers passed a bill April 11 the Nebraska at- ment Act. intended to assist counties facing torney general could request that a The act, passed by the Legislature costs from correctional institution district court appoint an independent in 2012, authorizes county boards incidents. counsel in a case where there is a per- to adopt and carry out coordinated LB861, introduced by Syracuse Sen. ceived personal or ethical conflict in management programs to control Dan Watermeier, requires the state the prosecution of an alleged crime.