UNICAMERAL UPDATE News published daily at Update.Legislature.ne.gov Vol. 44, Issue 4 / Jan. 25 - 29, 2021 Full tax exclusion for military Amendment retirement income proposed would limit property tax revenue growth ebraska voters could choose to limit annual growth in lo- Ncal property tax revenue to 3 percent under a proposal heard Jan. 27 by the Revenue Committee. LR22CA, introduced by Elkhorn Sen. at the re- quest of Gov. , would, if passed, place the proposed amend- Sen. said the tax benefit would help make more competitive. ment to Nebras- ka’s constitution Sen. Lou Ann Linehan ebraskans could exclude all Nebraska more attractive to military on the November 2022 general elec- of their military retirement retirees, many of whom go on to tion ballot. Nbenefit pay from state income second careers in the private sector. The amendment would limit the tax under a bill heard Jan. 29 by the Any tax revenue loss would be offset amount of property tax revenue raised Revenue Committee. by the economic benefits of retaining by a political subdivision in any fis- Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, who those highly trained and skilled work- cal year to 3 percent more than the introduced LB387 at the request of ers, he said. amount raised in the prior year. Gov. Pete Ricketts, said the bill would “The income tax exemption is not Linehan said LR22CA is a “criti- expand an exclusion the Legislature only an obvious way of expressing cal” follow-up to LB1107, passed approved last year. gratitude to our armed forces and vet- last year, which created an income Beginning in taxable year 2022, erans,” Brewer said. “This bill helps us tax credit based on the amount a individuals may exclude 50 percent keep pace with our neighbors and stop Nebraska taxpayer paid in property of their military retirement benefit missing out on opportunities to attract taxes to their school district during income to the extent it is included in these outstanding groups of individu- the previous year. federal adjusted gross income. LB387 als to grow and enrich Nebraska.” She said levy and spending limits would allow individuals to exclude 100 Additionally, he said, the change that the Legislature has imposed on percent of that income. would show the U.S. government that local governments have failed to stop The state Department of Revenue Nebraska is a military-friendly state as dramatic increases in the amount of estimates that the bill would reduce it determines the future of Offutt Air property taxes those entities collect. state income tax revenue by approxi- Force Base and the location of the new “LR22CA is necessary if we are go- mately $13 million in fiscal year 2022- U.S. Space Command headquarters. ing to get control over ever-escalating 23, $13.7 million in FY23-24 and The governor testified in support property taxes,” Linehan said. “I am $14.4 million in FY24-25. of the bill. He said five of the six sur- convinced the only limit that will work Brewer said the change would make (continued page 2) (continued page 3)

INSIDE: Redistricting Committee • Committee vice chairpersons • Meet Sen. Flood • Hearing schedule January 25 - 29, 2021

Full tax exclusion for military retirement income proposed (continued from front page) rounding states do not tax military Industry, also testified in support. He and future community leaders that we retirement pay, including Iowa and said LB387 would help Nebraska ad- need to attract and retain to this state South Dakota, which have seen their dress an acute skilled labor shortage, than our military personnel when they military retiree populations grow at a which he called the state’s greatest return to private life,” Slone said. much faster rate than Nebraska’s. economic challenge of the decade. No one testified in opposition to Bryan Slone, president of the Ne- “There’s no greater and more the bill and the committee took no braska Chamber of Commerce and important group of skilled personnel immediate action on it. n

Redistricting Committee edistricting is a process undertaken by the Nebraska The following entities will be affected by redistricting: R Unicameral once every ten years, led by the work of a special legislative committee. • U.S. House of Representatives The Legislature is responsible for redrawing govern- • mental boundaries after each decennial census. This year, • State Board of Education population data from the 2020 census will be used to draw • University of Nebraska Board of Regents district lines that ensure fair and equal representation for • Nebraska Supreme Court Nebraska citizens. • Public Service Commission

Current legislative district boundaries Redistricting Committee members: Sen. Sen. Sen. Tom Brewer Sen. Sen. Sen. Lou Ann Linehan Sen. John Lowe Sen. Sen. Justin Wayne

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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.

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THE NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE’S OFFICIAL NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1977

PAGE 2 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE January 25 - 29, 2021

Amendment would limit property tax revenue growth (continued from front page) is a limit on the tax taking.” on this crucial issue.” attracting business to our state.” Under the proposal, a political sub- Mark McHargue, president of the Dennis Meyer, budget and fiscal division could override the limit after Nebraska Farm Bureau, testified in officer for Lancaster County, testified receiving the approval of a majority of support of the proposal on behalf of his in opposition to the proposal. He legal voters at a special election called organization and several other groups said counties already are constrained for that purpose. representing agricultural producers. by levy and spending limits and have The proposed cap would not ap- He said LR22CA is a “great start” no way to raise revenue aside from ply to the amount of property tax but should be combined with other property taxes. revenue needed to pay the principal to more equitably distrib- The proposed cap would make it and interest on bonded indebtedness. ute the cost of paying for education, difficult for counties to budget for Nor would it apply to the amount of health care and other state priorities. road and bridge repairs or increasing property taxes raised by a political sub- Right now, he said, local governments health insurance costs, Meyer said. division’s real growth value, defined as rely too heavily on property taxes, paid Lynn Rex of the League of Ne- the increase in valuation disproportionately by farmers and braska Municipalities also testified in due to improvements — such as new ranchers, to fund those services. opposition, saying the 3 percent cap construction and additions to exist- Bud Synhorst, president of the is “not workable” for the state’s cities ing buildings — and the annexation Lincoln Independent Business Asso- and villages, approximately half of of property. ciation, also testified in support. He which already are near their levy limits. The governor testified in support said the 3 percent cap would make it “From a local government stand- of the proposal, saying the 3 percent easier for local businesses owners to point,” she said, “putting something cap is “reasonable” and that some local set their budgets and make Nebraska a in the constitution like this is highly governments and the state have lim- more attractive place to live and work. problematic because of the lack of ited their annual spending to around “If government spending continues flexibility.” that amount. to grow in this manner,” he said, “we The committee took no immediate In the past decade, Ricketts said, will lose our competitive advantage in action on LR22CA. n Nebraskans’ income has increased approximately 48 percent while infla- tion has increased by 18 percent and Committee vice chairpersons selected property taxes by around 52 percent. Agriculture ...... Sen. Tom Brandt “You can’t outstrip the ability of Appropriations...... Sen. Nebraska families to pay these taxes Banking, Commerce & Insurance...... Sen. by allowing property taxes to go up faster than inflation and faster than Business & Labor...... Sen. Carol Blood their income growth,” he said. “This Education...... Sen. Adam Morfeld is what makes people mad.” General Affairs...... Sen. John Lowe Doug Kagan of Nebraska Taxpayers Government, Military & Veterans Affairs...... Vacant for Freedom also testified in support Health & Human Services...... Sen. Matt Williams of the resolution. He said the state’s Judiciary...... Sen. high property taxes prevent young people and those on fixed incomes Natural Resources...... Sen. Mike Moser from keeping their homes or buying Nebraska Retirement Systems...... Sen. Brett Lindstrom new ones. Revenue...... Sen. Brett Lindstrom “Although not every Nebraska Transportation & Telecommunications...... Sen. Suzanne Geist property owner would benefit the Urban Affairs...... Sen. same from this resolution,” Kagan said, “we believe that Nebraskans Executive Board...... Sen. should have the opportunity to vote Committee on Committees...... Sen. Adam Morfeld

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 3 January 25 - 29, 2021 Meet the Senator Legislative leader back in “marketplace of ideas” hen Norfolk Sen. Mike Flood last served in “That has been exactly what I remember, and the best part.” the Nebraska Legislature, his two sons were Flood said he sees the same openness to compromise Wsmall enough to sit on his desk in the legisla- that he remembers from his prior service in the Legisla- tive chamber. ture, and he believes that the sometimes “difficult” tone of Now Brenden, 14, is a six-foot, 155-pound football political debate over the past few years might be changing. player, and Blake, 11, is a gamer. They have few memories “I think and hope there’s a renewed interest in, you of their father’s prior service in the Legislature, where know, decorum,” he said. “I’m certainly going to do my Flood served two terms between 2005 and 2013, six of part to be as positive as I can be and as nice as I can be those years as speaker. while still representing the interests of my constituents.” “They remember seeing the pictures of the dinosaur in Flood stays in Lincoln while the Legislature is in session the Capitol rotunda, and they remember the big halls — but but returns to northeast Nebraska every weekend. He said not much more,” he said. he switches radio frequencies as he drives north — he might Flood, an attorney who also has worked in radio broad- listen to his Fairbury country station, then his Omaha casting since high school, has spent the past few years Spanish-language station and then his Norfolk stations as growing his statewide media network, which now includes he gets close to home. 10 radio stations and a TV news channel. “I am a radio connoisseur,” Flood said. “I’m surrounded Around the time he left office, Flood traveled the state down here by signals.” n and heard from Nebraskans living in rural areas who get their news from Denver or Sioux City. Flood said he wanted his company to offer them a source of high-quality local news. “Between radio and TV, it’s connecting people with their home state every single day in every single county,” he said. But Flood, who became known as a skilled legislator and broker of compromise during his time in office, said he missed being in the “marketplace of ideas,” where people from across Nebraska come to share their ideas, hopes and dreams for the state. “You can’t be in the Legislature and not like people,” he said. “You can’t be in the Legislature and not like creative ideas. And that’s what I missed the most from my service before and why I came back — I like being in the discussion.” Flood said his district and others like it face a problem that should be part of that discussion: the lack of high-paying jobs and other factors leading to depopulation of the state’s rural areas. He wants to make northeast Nebraska a place where young people, including maybe someday his sons, want to stay. Flood thinks the session has started well and said he was encouraged to see the relatively large number of bills introduced this year — new ideas for the marketplace. De- spite the pandemic-imposed limits on interactions among senators, Flood said, he still has been able to meet and talk with other members. “It couldn’t have started any better in terms of making new Above: Sen. Mike Flood’s son, Blake, on the first day of the 2012 legislative session. Below: Blake and his dad, on friendships and visiting with the other state senators,” he said. Blake’s first day as a cameraman in training.

PAGE 4 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE January 25 - 29, 2021

mers said. that we know the value of their work, Andrea Lowe, testifying on behalf their service and their lives,” he said. of DHHS, also supported LB297. She Under the bill, a qualifying family said 23 percent of the department’s member must file for compensation investigations in 2020 involved finan- within one year of the death. For first Bill seeks financial protections cial exploitation. The bill would af- responders killed in 2022, compensa- for seniors, vulnerable adults ford investigators extra time to gather tion provided would be $50,000. For and protect Nebraskans, each following year, compensation Certain financial professionals she said. would be equal to the previous year’s would have authority to delay suspi- “Elder financial abuse is exceed- compensation increased by the per- cious transactions under a bill con- ingly common,” Lowe said. “Unfor- centage increase in the consumer price sidered Jan. 26 by the Banking, Com- tunately, fewer than one-fourth of index for all urban consumers. merce and Insurance Committee. these incidents are ever reported to Robert Hallstrom, representing the LB297, introduced by Sen. Brett any agency.” Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Lindstrom of Oma- No one testified in opposition to Association, supported LB255. First ha, would allow LB297 and the committee voted 8-0 responders are called to serve others broker-dealers and to advance it to general file. and give back to their communities, investment advis- he said. ers to hold trans- “As volunteer members of local actions for up to fire and rescue departments, these 30 business days women and men put their lives on in suspected cases Sen. Brett Lindstrom the line every time the page goes off,” of exploitation of seniors and vulner- Compensation proposed for Hallstrom said in written testimony. able adults. first responders’ families “They respond immediately to protect Under the bill, broker-dealers and others and the property of others — investment advisers would be required Families of Nebraska first respond- shedding their own personal concerns to notify the Adult Protective Services ers killed in the line of duty would and protective bubbles to help others.” Division of the state Department of receive a one-time death benefit under Representing the Nebraska Fra- Health and Human Services and the a bill heard by the Business and Labor ternal Order of Police, Julia Plucker Department of Banking and Finance Committee Jan. 25. also supported the bill. If it passes, within two business days in order to LB255, introduced by Lincoln Nebraska would join 30 other states delay a transaction and conduct an Sen. Matt Han- that provide similar benefits to the internal review. sen, would provide families of first responders, she said. Lindstrom said the bill would ex- monetary compen- “LB255 is a straightforward bill pand upon a bill passed in 2020 that sation to the family that provides much needed relief to enabled financial institutions to pause of a enforce- the surviving members of the first suspect transactions. ment officer, fire- responder decedent,” Plucker said in “There are some subtle changes fighter or public written testimony. from last year’s legislation, but I be- EMS ambulance Sen. No one testified in opposition to lieve they strengthen the act,” he said. squad member killed in the line of the bill and the committee took no Director Kelly Lammers of the duty, including those who work on a immediate action on it. Department of Banking and Finance voluntary basis. testified in favor of the bill. He said This type of compensation pro- Expanded unemployment his department has received numerous gram is common practice in other eligibility considered calls of suspected fraud or exploita- states, Hansen said, and is long over- tion, but often those reports come due in Nebraska. Members of the Business and too late. “I believe that it is time for Nebras- Labor Committee considered a pro- “Once the money has left the ac- ka to join our neighbors in making posal Jan. 25 to expand eligibility for count, we cannot get it back,” Lam- sure that our first responders know unemployment benefits.

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 5 January 25 - 29, 2021

LB260, sponsored by Omaha Sen. benefits over their lifetime. ricular activities and would “provide Megan Hunt, would expand the list “Nebraskans do want to work, and assurances of compliance” with those of “good cause” they are working, but often times they standards. reasons to leave have no other choice but to quit and The policies could not require employment vol- care for their loved one,” Ragland said. home-schooled students to be enrolled untarily to include No one testified in opposition to in for-credit courses offered by the caring for a fam- LB260 and the committee took no school or allow any preference for ily member with immediate action on it. selection in extracurricular activities a serious health based on the student’s status in the condition. Sen. Megan Hunt district. The bill would allow workers who Murman said the Nebraska School have voluntarily left employment to Activities Association, which governs care for a family member, but who are inter-school extracurricular activities, seeking to return to employment, to requires home-schooled students to be eligible for unemployment benefits. enroll in public school classes for a Current law does not allow workers Extracurricular activity policies minimum of 10 credit hours per se- who leave employment to care for a for home-schoolers proposed mester before they can participate in family member to receive unemploy- the school’s extracurricular activities. ment benefits, Hunt said, despite the Home-schooled students could Each district can impose more fact that their employers have paid participate in a public school district’s stringent requirements if it chooses, into the unemployment insurance extracurricular activities without also he said, and these varying require- fund on their behalf. enrolling in the district’s classes under ments place an extra burden on home- “This is supporting folks who’ve a bill heard Jan. 25 by the Education schooled students and interrupt their likely worked the majority of their Committee. home school schedules. lives but are forced to have a tempo- Current state law requires public “A person’s lawful method of rary lapse in employment to care for school boards to allow students en- education should not preclude any [family],” she said. “Providing this rolled in private, denominational, Nebraska student from involvement temporary safety net will allow caregiv- parochial or home schools to enroll in extracurricular activities within the ers some security while they attempt part-time as long as they are residents school district in which they reside and to reenter the workforce.” of the district. pay taxes,” Murman said. Scout Richters, representing the LB210, introduced by Sen. Dave Under LB210, school boards could ACLU of Nebraska, spoke in support Murman of Glen- require home-schooled students to of LB260. The importance of family vil, would allow follow school policies that apply to caregiving has become ever more ap- those students to other students when they are present parent during the current pandemic, enroll part-time for on school grounds or at a school- she said. all courses selected sponsored activity or athletic event. “Without the ability to get unem- by the students. Home-schooled students would be ployment benefits for this necessary It also would entitled to transportation to and from caretaking, women will lose income require school Sen. Dave Murman practices and events to the same extent for themselves and their families that boards to establish policies and proce- as public school students participating they rely on,” Richters said. “It is es- dures to allow home-schooled students in those activities. pecially important because 64 percent to participate in extracurricular activi- David Lostroh of the Nebraska of all families have women as the sole ties to the same extent and subject to Christian Home Educators Associa- or primary breadwinner.” the same requirements as students tion testified in support of the bill, say- Also supporting the bill was Jina enrolled in the public school governed ing the NSAA requirement is arbitrary Ragland, on behalf of AARP Nebras- by the board. and that some schools require more ka. She said that, on average, family The home-school would set aca- than the 10-hour minimum. caregivers over 50 who leave to care for demic performance standards for the LB210 also would prevent schools a parent lose $304,000 in wages and student’s participation in extracur- from limiting home-school student

PAGE 6 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE January 25 - 29, 2021 enrollment to only elective classes, “If a student is not receiving an courses in a single career program of he said. education at school … the opportunity study related to an in-demand occupa- Stephanie Shade of Hastings also for the school to know and observe the tion that is a high priority for the state, testified in support of the bill. Shade student is greatly reduced,” Cerny said. as determined by a grant committee. and her husband home-school their “Thus, [the] student’s safety is reduced.” Students would have to be enrolled eight children, she said, and have He said the bill also could encour- full time in an approved program that found that a split learning environ- age the parents of an athletically offers a certificate, diploma or associate ment, in which a child attends public talented but academically struggling degree that qualifies them for employ- school classes for part of the day, can student to pull their child out of pub- ment in an in-demand occupation. do more harm than good. lic school to maintain their eligibility Approximately 2,500 students re- “Requiring home-educated stu- to play sports, undermining public ceived ACE scholarships in fiscal year dents to attend any number of classes schools’ principle of promoting aca- 2019-20, Bostar said, and more than at a public school results in loss of demics over activities. 84 percent of those students went on learning time and carries the potential The committee took no immediate to college, compared to 52 percent of to cause harm to students emotionally action on the bill. their low-income peers who were not and otherwise,” she said. ACE recipients. Since their 12-year-old son Micah Aid proposed for college He said the new program would was born, Shade said, their family has students in high-priority help those students complete their paid approximately $74,000 in prop- programs two-year degrees or certificate programs erty taxes to their local school district, in nursing, information technology, none of which has benefited Micah’s Low-income college students en- biosciences, health services and trans- education. rolled in programs that lead to a portation, among other fields. Those “I don’t believe it is too much to ask certificate or degree in a high-demand middle-skill jobs account for 56 percent for my son to play football at our lo- field could apply for a new scholar- of Nebraska’s labor market, Bostar cal middle school without any course ship under a bill heard Jan. 26 by the said, but only 47 percent of the state’s requirements,” she said. Education Committee. workforce is trained to fill them. Testifying in opposition to LB210 Under LB243, introduced by “When we invest in technical edu- was Jay Bellar, executive director of the Lincoln Sen. Eliot Bostar, students cation students,” he said, “it means we NSAA. He said that attending a public who qualified for are investing in individuals that will school for at least 10 credit hours per or received grants likely live, work and pay taxes right semester ties a home-school student to under the Access here in our state after they graduate.” the public school academically — not College Early pro- Each scholarship, which could be just for activities — and allows admin- gram — which pro- used for education expenses, would istrators, teachers and coaches to get vides scholarships not be less than $1,500 for an aca- to know the student as a person. to low-income demic year. An award for an academic “How do we ensure that student high school stu- Sen. Eliot Bostar year could not exceed the sum of participants are truly representing dents who enroll in dual-credit courses tuition and fees plus $1,500, minus the academic mission of the NSAA while in high school — could qualify any federal Pell Grant awarded to the member school when the student isn’t for the new Access College Early Tech student. enrolled at that school?” Bellar said. Promise Program scholarships. The Coordinating Commission for Jon Cerny, superintendent of Among other requirements, stu- Postsecondary Education, which would Bancroft-Rosalie Public Schools, testi- dents would have to attend a Nebraska administer the program, estimates that fied in opposition to the bill on behalf community college, tribally controlled LB243 would direct $244,000 in aid of the school’s board. He said LB210 community college in Nebraska or to students in fiscal year 2021-22 and would jeopardize student safety by, the Nebraska College of Technical $406,500 in FY2022-23. in part, making it more difficult for Agriculture in Curtis. Kathy Danek, president of the Lin- school personnel to recognize and Students also would have to have re- coln Public Schools board, testified in respond to students’ injuries, includ- ceived postsecondary education credit support of the bill. ing concussions. while in high school for at least two “A program to help students com-

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 7 January 25 - 29, 2021 plete the degree or career certification Affairs Committee. Affairs Committee. after high school brings to fruition the LB70, introduced by Omaha Sen. Gov. Pete Ricketts issued an ex- community’s investment in early college Justin Wayne, ecutive order in March of 2020 that career course opportunities in high would authorize waived aspects of the Open Meetings schools and career academies and keeps the State Athletic Act and allowed some government skilled workers close to home,” she said. Commissioner entities to meet virtually during the Susan Martin, president of the Ne- to regulate kick- coronavirus pandemic. That order was braska State AFL-CIO, also testified in boxing and bare- lifted last summer. support, saying that expanding access knuckle boxing. LB83, introduced by Norfolk to community and technical college The commissioner Sen. Justin Wayne Sen. Mike Flood, programs is essential to Nebraska’s currently regulates professional mixed would allow may- economic competitiveness. martial arts and boxing. ors, county board “With Nebraska businesses strug- Allowing the additional sports in chairpersons and gling to find skilled workers for cur- Nebraska would generate economic village board chair- rent job openings,” she said, “it’s more activity, Wayne said, adding that Ala- persons to declare important than ever for policymakers bama, Georgia, Maryland, Tennessee, an emergency and to identify effective strategies that will New York and Indiana have adopted hold meetings vir- Sen. Michael Flood attract students to career opportuni- similar regulations. tually. The bill defines virtual con- ties beneficial to Nebraska and to “People who want to do these ferencing as a meeting conducted those high-demand jobs.” [sports] go to other states to fight,” electronically or by phone. Mike Baumgartner, executive direc- he said. Political subdivisions currently sub- tor of the Coordinating Commission Henry Ems, a combat sports trainer ject to the state’s Open Meetings Act for Postsecondary Education, also testi- and promoter, testified in support and allowed to conduct meetings by fied in support of LB243. He said the of the bill. He said Nebraska mixed video conferencing and teleconferenc- proposal would build on the “highly martial arts promoters have a track ing would be allowed to hold virtual successful” ACE program and help record of protecting athletes’ health — meetings. The bill would expand the recipients cover the additional expenses even during the ongoing COVID-19 list of political subdivisions allowed they will face in technical programs, pandemic — and he expects that would to meet virtually to include natural such as tools, uniforms and equipment. also be the case if kickboxing and bare- resources districts and local public “The ACE Tech Promise Program knuckle boxing were regulated. health districts. leverages the investment that taxpay- “We have the ability to make these Advanced public notice would be ers and the students themselves have [sports] safe,” Ems said. required for virtual meetings, with already made in their education suc- No one testified in opposition to at least one physical site available for cess,” Baumgartner said. LB70 and the committee took no im- public participation. All documents No one testified in opposition to mediate action on it. related to a virtual meeting would the bill and the committee took no need to be available online. immediate action on it. LB83 also would restrict the vir- tual meeting option to no more than half of an entity’s meetings during a calendar year. “This is a way to modernize the Bill would expand use of way virtual meetings are dealt with virtual meetings by public bodies,” Flood said. “[In an Regulation sought for kick- emergency] the people closest to the boxing, bare-knuckle boxing City councils, county boards and problem have the best answers.” other political subdivisions would Larry Ruth, testifying on behalf of Fight fans in Nebraska would have have greater authority to meet virtually the Nebraska Association of Resources more entertainment options under a under a bill considered Jan. 27 by the Districts and the Lower Platte South bill considered Jan. 25 by the General Government, Military and Veterans Resources District, spoke in support

PAGE 8 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE January 25 - 29, 2021 of the bill. Ruth said the ongoing would enable organizations to ignore are “cruel,” but efficiency audits could coronavirus pandemic has made in- citizens with whom they disagree. reveal targeted savings. person meetings more difficult. Many “Electronic conferencing allows “It’s the only kind way to look for political subdivisions do not have a a body of government to mute any government efficiency,” Nabity said. facility that would allow for public member of the public,” Molina said. DAS Director Jason Jackson testi- participation and social distancing, The committee took no immediate fied against the bill. He said state he said, forcing some individuals to action on LB83. government efficiency has greatly choose between doing their job or improved under the current admin- staying safe. Review of state agencies sought istration and that LB213 would be “Being a member of a public body redundant and unlikely to find sig- does not mean signing a suicide pact,” State agencies, boards, departments nificant savings. Ruth said. and councils would undergo an effi- “A successful government efficien- Shelley Sahling-Zart, testifying on ciency review under a bill considered cy operation is one that’s imbued in behalf of the Nebraska Power Associa- Jan. 28 by the Government, Military our culture,” Jackson said. “That’s why tion, also supported LB83. She said and Veterans Affairs Committee. we’ve invested so much in training.” the bill would serve as a contingency LB213, introduced by Albion Sen. Nebraska Association of Public plan that would enable political subdi- Tom Briese, would Employees Executive Director Justin visions to continue their work during require the state Hubly also testified against LB213. a prolonged emergency. Department of Ad- Low wages and overtime restrictions “This is about being able to con- ministrative Ser- have led to a high turnover rate among tinue doing the public’s business in vices to state employees, he said, increasing ex- moments of extraordinary disrup- with an outside penses due to training new employees tion,” Sahling-Zart said. firm to conduct and hiring contract workers. Also testifying in support was the reviews, which Sen. Tom Briese “Cutting costs often doesn’t trans- Kathy Hoell of Papillion. In written would seek ways to reduce costs, iden- late to efficiency and in fact often testimony, she said the expanded tify potential new sources of funding results in significantly higher costs,” use of virtual meetings during the other than tax increases and make Hubly said. pandemic has enabled more people government more accountable to The committee took no immediate to participate in public meetings, par- Nebraskans. action on the bill. ticularly individuals with disabilities According to the department’s fis- and those living in rural areas. cal note, such a review would cost an Fines sought for late reports Matt Miltenberger, chief of staff for estimated $4 million. the governor, opposed LB83. Milten- Briese said Nebraska currently has Cities, counties and other political berger said that while Ricketts believes the 14th highest state spending rate subdivisions in Nebraska could be the state’s open meetings can be in the country. Several other states fined for filing late reports with the modernized, he opposes extending have undergone similar audits and state under a bill considered Jan. 29 power to waive public meeting require- implemented changes that resulted in by the Government, Military and ments to local officials who declare millions in savings, he said. Veterans Affairs Committee. emergencies. “The goal here isn’t to cut costs by Government entities that fail to In written testimony, he said the eliminating programs or reducing the file required reports with the state purpose of the Open Meetings Act is services that government in Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts could be to ensure that citizens can, “exercise is providing,” Briese said, “the core fined $20 a day — their democratic privilege of attending goal of this legislation is to make sure up to $2,000 total and speaking at a public meeting. A those programs and services are offer- per filing — under declared public emergency does not ing those taxpayers the most bang for LB368, introduced intrinsically mean it is unsafe for a their buck.” by Bellevue Sen. public body to meet in person.” David Nabity of Omaha spoke in Rita Sanders. Lance Molina of Gretna also testi- support of the bill. He said across-the- As introduced, fied against LB83. He said the bill board cuts in government spending the bill also would Sen. Rita Sanders

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 9 January 25 - 29, 2021 allow the office to conduct the audit pational Therapy Nebraska under a bill considered by at the subdivision’s expense. Sanders Practice Interstate the Health and Human Services Com- provided an amendment to remove Compact. Once mittee Jan. 27. that provision, saying the auditor in effect, the com- LB211, introduced by Sen. Dave already has that authority under cur- pact would allow Murman of Glen- rent state law. licensed therapists vil, would remove Sanders said 309 reports were filed to practice in oth- a current require- late in the 2019 fiscal year and 19 sub- er member states Sen. Carol Blood ment that reflex- divisions have yet to file for that year without having to obtain a separate ologists be licensed making them late by anywhere from as currently is required. under the Massage 120 to 394 days. The bill would address the rising Therapy Practice “Chasing these reports down can need for occupational therapists in a Act. Instead, the Sen. Dave Murman be frustrating and expensive for the more interconnected world in which bill would create a registry for reflex- auditor’s office and prevents the pub- state boundaries are less relevant, ologists and require certification by a lic from seeing the results of the audit Blood said. national board. Practicing reflexolo- in a timely manner,” she said. She added that while no states gists would have to register with the Russ Karpisek of the auditor’s have yet enacted legislation to join state by Oct. 1, 2021. office testified in support of the bill. the compact, several are considering Current law is onerous, Murman On-time filing would increase trans- it. Ten states are required to adopt the said, and creates an unnecessary parency and save money, he said. compact for it to take effect. burden. “There’s no teeth [in statute] to “We must account for industry- “The practice of reflexology is dif- make people get their audits and bud- tailored reciprocity mechanisms like ferent and distinct from the practice gets and things in on time,” Karpisek this compact,” Blood said. “In fact, of massage therapy,” he said. “Most said. “There’s nothing we can really it’s really irresponsible not to do so.” of the country does not regulate re- do right now.” Dr. Melissa Kimmerling of the Ne- flexology.” Karpisek added that the auditor’s braska Occupational Therapy Associa- The Platte Institute’s Nicole Fox office could waive the fine if a gov- tion testified in support of LB15. She testified in support of the bill. She said ernment entity had a valid reason for said the compact would expand the use reflexologists in Nebraska must adhere filing late. of telehealth, particularly in rural areas. to the same licensing requirements as No one spoke in opposition to “The compact would therefore im- massage therapists even though much LB368 and the committee took no prove the continuity of care for citizens of the training does not apply to them. immediate action on it. in Nebraska,” Kimmerling said. “The state of Nebraska has the Dr. Cheryl Frickel, an occupational most burdensome licensing require- therapist, also testified in support, ments for massage therapy in the saying the bill would benefit military country: 1,000 hours at a cost of nearly spouses. $20,000,” Fox said. “The curriculum “Military families move every three provides very little, if any, instruction years on average,” Frickel said. “The on reflexology.” compact helps military spouses relo- Becky Ohlson, a reflexologist and Bill would adopt occupational cate and begin work without delay.” president of the American Massage therapy interstate compact No one spoke in opposition to Therapy Association’s Nebraska LB15 and the committee took no im- chapter, testified against LB211. Occupational therapists licensed mediate action on it. She said her organization does not in Nebraska would be able to practice support what would be a change in in certain other states under a bill Bill would remove licensing scope of practice for reflexologists and considered Jan. 28 by the Health and for reflexologists disagreed with the bill’s certification Human Services Committee. provision. LB15, introduced by Bellevue Sen. Reflexologists would no longer “[Licensing] is especially important Carol Blood, would adopt the Occu- have to be licensed with the state of in emerging professions gaining recog-

PAGE 10 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE January 25 - 29, 2021

nition because the industry-accepted could do — and pause proceedings as lord for a tenant to ask for postpone- certification can change quickly,” needed,” Hansen said. “Instead, evic- ment of an eviction hearing without Ohlson said. tion cases continued, even as court- paying back rent as a bond, he said. Steve Carper of the Nebraska houses closed to the public … while “The tenant would be allowed Massage Therapy Board also spoke in COVID cases continued to rise.” to continue living [rent-free] in the opposition to the bill. Reflexology is a Robert Larsen of Lincoln spoke property,” Tierney said. “How long modality that massage therapists use, in favor of LB45. The extraordinary should the have to continue he said, and not a separate practice. cause standard imposed upon ten- without rent?” “As a board, we don’t think there’s ants during eviction proceedings is a The committee took no immediate a need for the bill,” Carper said. higher standard than what is required action on the bill. The committee took no immediate of any other litigant in any other civil action on LB211. proceeding in Nebraska, he said. Updates to mobile landlord “I’m not advocating for anything and tenant act discussed that gives tenants a new, unfair advan- tage or a special exception for tenants Mobile home tenants would have within our legal system,” Larsen said. the same rights as residential ten- “I’m merely advocating for the repeal ants under a proposal considered by of a statute that is a clear, unique and members of the Judiciary Committee Bill would repeal eviction illogical outlier in Nebraska law.” Jan. 27. postponement standard Erin Olsen, representing Legal Aid In 2019, the Legislature approved of Nebraska, also supported the bill. changes to the Uniform Residential The Judiciary Committee heard The extraordinary cause standard has Landlord Tenant testimony Jan. 27 on a proposal to been applied inconsistently through- Act. LB277, spon- give judges increased discretion during out the state, she said, especially dur- sored this year by eviction court proceedings. ing the ongoing pandemic. Omaha Sen. Me- LB45, sponsored by Lincoln Sen. “LB45 effectively repeals a law that gan Hunt, would Matt Hansen, either doesn’t get applied at all in prac- update the Mobile would repeal a cur- tice or, if it does, is used inconsistently Home Landlord rent state law that to the detriment of tenants’ rights,” and Tenant Act to Sen. Megan Hunt prohibits judges she said. mirror those changes. from granting a Opposing the measure was Gene Hunt said the bill would help ten- continuance in Eckel, representing the Nebraska ants and avoid unnecessary eviction proceed- Association of Commercial Property confusion and litigation. ings unless extraor- Sen. Matt Hansen Owners. Eviction proceedings are not “This bill does not make it harder dinary cause is shown and back rent always initiated due to nonpayment of for landlords who are already using is paid. rent, he said, but also can stem from best practices,” she said. “Those Hansen said that it is important noncompliance with lease terms, in- landlords who are rightfully returning to make sure the court system is not cluding criminal conduct. deposits and lawfully handling evic- depriving people of their day in court “If that person is allowed to call in tions will not be affected.” due to circumstances outside of their to the court and just give a reason why LB277 would require a landlord control, especially when it involves the [the case] should be continued, that to provide the balance due on a secu- potential loss of their home. allows that tenant to remain at the rity deposit automatically to a tenant The ongoing coronavirus pan- property for a longer period of time, within 14 days of termination of a demic has made the issue more urgent, which could also be a danger to the rental agreement. he said. other residents,” Eckel said. If a landlord fails to return the secu- “Throughout the summer and fall, Dennis Tierney, representing the rity deposit within 14 days, the tenant officials pointed to this [statute] saying Metropolitan Omaha Property Own- could recover any property or money it tied their hands in doing what is ers Association also opposed LB45. It due to him or her, as well as liquidated right — what almost every other judge would be extremely unfair to a land- damages equal to one month’s rent

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 11 January 25 - 29, 2021 plus costs or twice the amount of the after paying back a security deposit, to juvenile court and we get them ad- rental deposit — whichever is less — he said, the landlord must absorb that judicated, that gives us very little time and reasonable attorney’s fees. additional cost. to give them rehabilitative services.” Landlords would be required to “The thing that we’re getting away No one testified in opposition to remit any unclaimed security deposit to from is tenant responsibility and the bill and the committee took no the state treasurer for disposition under [instead] placing everything on the immediate action on it. the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed landlord,” Pierce said. Property Act if returned undeliverable The committee took no immediate Bill of rights proposed for or if the deposit is outstanding 30 days action on the bill. youth in state care after the initial mailing. If a government entity deems a Bill would speed some juvenile Nebraska foster youth in out-of- residence to be uninhabitable due to court transfers home placements and in Youth Re- negligence, the tenant would not be habilitation and Treatment Centers liable for any damage as a direct result The Judiciary Committee heard would have explicit, enumerated rights of forcible removal. Finally, the bill testimony Jan. 28 on a bill to expedite under a bill heard by the Judiciary would extend the period of time for certain juvenile cases. Committee Jan. 28. payment of rent after a notice of intent LB354, spon- LB357, spon- to terminate from five to seven days. sored by Omaha sored by Omaha Supporting the bill was Ryan Sul- Sen. Steve Lath- Sen. Megan Hunt, livan of Lincoln. Currently, a person rop, would require would ensure who rents a mobile home and a mobile county and district youth are expressly home lot is governed by two different courts to rule on informed of their landlord and tenant acts, he said, motions to transfer rights at regular which can create unnecessary confu- jurisdiction of a Sen. Steve Lathrop intervals, in age- Sen. Megan Hunt sion and litigation. minor to juvenile court within 30 days. appropriate language, by their respec- “Consistency between the two acts Judicial expediency is especially im- tive caseworker. is of particular importance in situa- portant, Lathrop said, in cases when Hunt said that making sure youth tions when both acts are implicated,” a young person may be just months understand their rights upfront can Sullivan said. “Renters of mobile from becoming an adult. help alleviate mistrust and reassure home lots deserve the same rights as “In the event a judge determines a them that their development and well- renters of traditional homes.” case would best be handled in juvenile being are important. Scott Mertz, representing Legal Aid court, it is in the interest of the ac- “When a system removes you of Nebraska, also supported LB277. cused and the public that the transfer from your home or puts you in an He said current discrepancies between be made in a timely fashion so that the unfamiliar place, there is an inherent the two acts create a tiered system of youth can benefit from the services distrust of that system,” she said. “It’s tenant rights in the state. and structure provided by our juvenile essential that we’re doing everything “Right now, a tenant in a resi- courts,” he said. we can as a state to ease these kinds dential property will have more days Mark Hanna, representing the Of- of transitions.” afforded to them to procure late fice of the Douglas County Attorney, Under the bill, caseworkers would rent than a tenant in a mobile home spoke in support of the bill. LB354 be required to provide written copies space,” Mertz said. “This is a differ- would allow more time to provide of a system-involved youth’s rights ence of just two days, but when one adjudicated juveniles the services they within 72 hours of their initial place- is seeking rental assistance or waiting need, he said. ment, again two weeks later and then on unemployment benefits, those days “It’s very difficult as a prosecutor on a quarterly basis. can and do make a major difference to help rehabilitate juveniles who have The bill would ensure youth in to that tenant.” engaged in serious activities in such a placement have the right to attend or Opposing the bill was Pierce Car- short period of time,” Hanna said. “If not attend religious services, be free penter of Omaha. If a landlord discov- we have an individual who is 17 and from unreasonable search and sei- ers more extensive damage to a unit a half years old, by the time they get zure and be free from discrimination

PAGE 12 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE January 25 - 29, 2021 based on race, ethnicity, sex, gender, Constitutional amendment tutional [language] sends a message national origin, tribal membership, proposed to repeal marriage to the entire nation that Nebraska is religion, mental or physical disability, definition a welcoming, hospitable place for all.” gender identity or sexual orientation. Marion Miner, representing the Youth would retain the right to Removal of a provision in the state Nebraska Catholic Conference, spoke a free education provided for by constitution would be placed on the in opposition. The essential purpose the state, in their original school if ballot for voter consideration under a of marriage is to attach mothers and possible. Access to participation in proposal heard by the Judiciary Com- fathers to their children and to one developmentally and age-appropriate mittee Jan. 29. another, he said. extracurricular, enrichment, cultural Currently, the constitution states “Section 29 may be unenforce- and social activities — and access to that only marriage between a man and a able as a practical matter as long as trauma-informed health care — also woman shall be valid and recognized in Obergefell remains authoritative, but would be ensured. Nebraska. If passed by the Legislature, its repeal would signal that Nebraska Among other provisions, the bill LR20CA, spon- has abandoned the understanding of also seeks to protect a youth’s familial sored by Lin- marriage as the singular institution bonds, and a young person who is coln Sen. Patty for upholding the most basic natural pregnant or parenting would retain Pansing Brooks, right of children, after the right to life the right to make appropriate deci- would place a itself,” Miner said. sions for their child. proposed consti- The committee took no immediate Laura Opfer, representing the tutional amend- action on LR20CA. Nebraska Children’s Commission, ment on the No- Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks spoke in support of LB357. The bill’s vember 2022 general election ballot to provisions build on progress toward remove that provision. normalcy for youth in Nebraska, she Article I, section 29 of the state said, by providing a multi-disciplinary constitution was rendered obsolete system to ensure youth rights are pro- with the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court tected and their voices are heard. decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, Pansing Higher fees would help maintain “When we take time to build rela- Brooks said, which legalized same-sex two state recreation areas tionships with youth and explain the marriage throughout the country. [placement] process, we build engage- “It’s become clear that we have Out-of-state visitors to Lake Mc- ment,” Opfer said. “When youth are reached something close to a national Conaughy State Recreation Area and engaged and informed, we strengthen consensus of public opinion on this Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area their self-efficacy and gain their trust.” issue,” she said. “In light of this, the would pay a higher permit fee under Also testifying in support of the bill discriminatory language in our con- a bill heard Jan. 28 by the Natural was Jacob McKirdy, who was placed stitution banning marriage equality, Resources Committee. in the foster care system as a young as well as civil unions and domestic The state Game and Parks Com- person. He frequently felt unloved and partnerships, feels archaic and even mission currently issues annual, tem- unsafe while in foster care, he said, embarrassing.” porary and disabled veteran permits. and was unsure where to turn for help. Supporting the proposal was Sara LB336, introduced by Venango “If the caseworkers took just one Rips, on behalf of the ACLU of Ne- Sen. Dan Hughes, minute to actually spend time and get braska. She said it would bring the would require the to know the kids, it would make a big state constitution in line with the law commission to cre- difference,” McKirdy said. of the land. ate “regular” and No opponents were present at the “Just like the last vestiges of slavery “limited” annual hearing and the committee took no that haunted our constitution until and temporary immediate action on the bill. last November, section 29 is an out- nonresident motor dated relic that reflects poorly on our vehicle permits. Sen. Dan Hughes state,” Rips said. “Empowering our The annual limited permit, which voters to remove this harmful consti- would grant access to all permit areas

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 13 January 25 - 29, 2021 except those at Lake McConaughy and room facilities to serve the tens of ployee, up to $1,800 for each quali- Lake Ogallala, would cost no more thousands of visitors, many of them fied employee. A business could earn than $65, the same as the current from outside Nebraska, who visit the credits for up to 20 employees each annual nonresident motor vehicle lake on holiday weekends. taxable year. permit. An annual regular permit for Timothy McCoy, deputy director Day said the credit would encour- a nonresident motor vehicle, which of the state Game and Parks Com- age the pursuit of higher education would grant access to all areas, would mission, testified in opposition to the and help employers recruit and retain cost $80. bill. Although the commission needs talented workers. A 2019 Blueprint A temporary limited permit for more resources to manage Lake Mc- Nebraska report found that approxi- a nonresident motor vehicle would Conaughy and Lake Ogallala, he said, mately 3,000 Nebraskans with bach- cost no more than $12, the same as the proposed annual regular permit elor’s degrees leave the state each year, the current temporary permit for a fee could disqualify the state for cer- she said. nonresident motor vehicle. The fee tain federal funding used to develop “Not only are we losing talented for a temporary regular nonresident those recreation areas because it is workforce, but we’re losing taxpayers motor vehicle permit would be $15. more than twice the cost of a resident to other states,” Day said. “In many At least 95 percent of the additional permit, which is $30. cases, we’re making the expensive in- funds from the new permits would be McCoy said introducing two new vestment for youth on the education designated to help defray operational, types of nonresident permits also side and then watching the other states maintenance and improvement costs could delay park entry on busy week- get the benefit.” at Lake McConaughy State Recreation ends and confuse nonresident visitors A qualified employee would be a Area and Lake Ogallala State Recre- and vendors who sell the permits. college graduate who worked for the ation Area. The committee took no immediate employer for at least 480 hours during Hughes said those recreation areas action on the bill. the taxable year and who received a are top Nebraska tourist attractions ev- student loan to attend a postsecondary ery year but that the influx of visitors educational institution. has caused problems for Game and The department could approve up Parks personnel and local law enforce- to $1.5 million in credits each year. At ment. He said the higher fees would least 25 percent would go to employers allow the commission to hire more Employer tax credit for student with no more than 30 employees or personnel and improve facilities to loan repayments proposed that are located in first- or second-class help alleviate crowding of public ac- cities or villages in Nebraska. cess areas at the two lakes. Nebraska employers would receive The department estimates that On busy holiday weekends, such a tax credit for repaying qualified LB69 would reduce state general fund as Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor employees’ student loans under a revenue by $1.4 million each year be- Day, Hughes said, approximately 90 proposal heard Jan. 28 by the Revenue ginning in fiscal year 2022-23. percent of the 100,000 daily visitors Committee. Mike Riordan of BenefitEd testi- are from other states. Under LB69, introduced by Omaha fied in support of the bill. He said “It only makes sense to allow the Sen. , busi- businesses could use the proposed people utilizing that space to pay for nesses could apply credit as a way to differentiate them- the improvements,” he said. to the state Depart- selves from employers in other states Deb Schilz of the Keith County ment of Revenue when recruiting and retaining work- Visitors Committee testified in sup- for the nonre- ers. Employers that already offer port of LB336, saying that Lake Mc- fundable income student loan repayment benefits have Conaughy’s infrastructure has been tax credit, which reported decreased turnover rates and stressed for several years. would be available Sen. Jen Day quicker hiring, he said. She said the proceeds from the for tax years beginning Jan. 1, 2022. Mike Baumgartner, executive direc- new permits could help pay for road The credit would equal 50 percent tor of the Coordinating Commission upgrades, improved beach access, of the student loan repayment made for Postsecondary Education, also campgrounds and shower and bath- by an employer on behalf of an em- testified in support, saying that the

PAGE 14 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE January 25 - 29, 2021 state continues to struggle with out- make to certain scholarship-granting in the quality of education provided migration of college graduates with a organizations. to my son,” she said. “These are the bachelor’s degree or higher. Only Nebraska residents would be improvements that can help when a As of September 2020, he said, eligible for the scholarships, which parent has a choice.” more than 242,000 Nebraskans owed could be used to pay tuition and fees at Rick Bettger testified in support a total of $7.7 billion in federal stu- a qualifying privately operated elemen- of the bill on behalf of three private dent loan debt, and the average gradu- tary or secondary school in Nebraska. Catholic schools in Omaha. He said ate of a four-year public educational Students would be eligible for the the schools, which primarily serve institution owes a median of $20,000. scholarships if, among other require- inner-city students from low-income Baumgartner said several studies ments, they are a dependent member families, are funded primarily through have found that student loan debt of a household with a gross income private donations. impacts where students settle and that does not exceed the eligibility The tax credit scholarship pro- can inhibit homeownership, entre- guidelines for reduced-price meals posed in LB364 could help secure preneurship and family formation. under the National School Lunch the schools’ financial future and help He said student borrowers from rural Program. more students enroll there, Bettger areas, especially those with high loan Linehan said children who cur- said. balances, are more likely to live and rently are enrolled in a private school “This bill is about giving families work in metro areas after graduation. would not qualify for the scholarships, the opportunity to place their children “The tax credit established by LB69 which are intended to go only to in a school that they feel gives their would be a helpful tool for addressing students whose family income does child a better chance at success,” he out-migration, in-migration and migra- not exceed 185 percent of the federal said. tion within the state to urban areas,” poverty level. Renee Fry, executive director of Baumgartner said. “These are not wealthy students,” OpenSky Policy Institute, testified No one testified in opposition to she said. “These are not even middle- in opposition to the bill, saying the the bill and the committee took no class students — these are low-income credit would be much more gener- immediate action on it. students.” ous than similar programs in other LB364 would allow the state De- states as well as the existing state tax Tax credit scholarship partment of Revenue to grant $10 deduction for other types of charitable program proposed million in credits in 2022. After that, contributions. if at least 90 percent of the credits in Fry said the program would divert Individuals and businesses could any given year are claimed, the annual taxpayer dollars that could be used claim a state income tax credit for limit would increase by 25 percent. for public K-12 education to a second, contributions they make to nonprofit Assuming that the limit would private school system. A better way to organizations that grant scholarships increase each year, the department es- help low-income students would be to students who attend private schools timates that the bill would reduce state to direct more state funding to public under a bill heard Jan. 28 by the Rev- general fund revenue by $10 million schools in high-poverty areas, she said. enue Committee. in fiscal year 2022-23, $12.5 million in Anne Hunter-Pirtle, executive LB364, introduced by Elkhorn FY2023-24 and $15.6 in FY2024-25. director of Stand for Schools, also Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, would al- Suraya Wayne of Omaha testified testified in opposition. She said the low individuals, in support of LB364. She said her bill would prohibit scholarship grant- passthrough en- son’s education suffered after he was ing organizations from discriminating tities, estates or labeled disruptive as a kindergartner against students based on race but not trusts and corpo- while enrolled in Omaha Public religion, gender, sexual orientation, rations to claim a Schools. With help from family to disability and other factors. nonrefundable in- pay the tuition, Wayne moved him to If the amount of credits grows by come tax credit of St. Cecilia Cathedral School, she said, 25 percent per year as allowed under up to 50 percent of Sen. Lou Ann Linehan where individualized instruction has the bill, Hunter-Pirtle said, the pro- the taxpayer’s state income tax liability helped him thrive. gram could reduce state revenue by for the tax year on contributions they “I have seen firsthand a difference approximately $332 million over the

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 15 January 25 - 29, 2021 first 10 years. “This will be the additional amount to approach us, we would not have “I don’t think anyone can seriously [of money] to fill that gap so that proj- the ability to apply this designation suggest that that amount of money will ect now makes sense.” to these areas and therefore the city not impact public school funding and Dan Marvin, Director of Urban would lose out on potential economic … the funding of other state priorities Development for the city of Lincoln, development opportunities,” Walz like higher education, health care and also testified in support of the bill. He said. public safety,” she said. said extending the repayment period Dan Marvin, Director of Urban The committee took no immediate would enable Lincoln to build more Development for the city of Lincoln, action on the bill. affordable housing. spoke in favor of the bill. Lincoln No one spoke in opposition to would like to use the extremely blight- LB25. The committee advanced the ed designation to enable homeowners bill to general file on a 7-0 vote. to receive a federal tax credit available to people living in those areas, he said, Bill would remove percentage without impacting the city’s ability to cap on extremely blighted also use the designation elsewhere to Bill would extend TIF repayment designation promote development. “To me, it’s a fairness issue,” Mar- The provisions of a constitutional Nebraska cities would have greater vin said, adding that homeowners amendment approved by Nebraska flexibility in designating areas as across the city should be eligible for voters last November would be imple- extremely blighted under a bill con- such tax credits. mented under a bill considered Jan. sidered Jan. 26 by the Urban Affairs No one spoke in opposition to 26 by the Urban Affairs Committee. Committee. LB99 and the committee took no im- LB25, introduced by Omaha Sen. Introduced by Sen. mediate action on the bill. n Justin Wayne, would extend the repay- of Fremont, LB99 ment period of tax- would exclude increment financ- areas deemed ex- ing from 15 years tremely blighted to 20 if more than from the percent- one half of the age limitations land in a project is currently placed designated as ex- on blighted areas Sen. Lynne Walz tremely blighted. Sen. Justin Wayne under the state’s Community Devel- “LB25 would help incentivize the opment Law. use of TIF where it is needed,” Wayne Walz said that metropolitan, pri- said. “Since the passage of Amend- mary and first class cities currently ment 2, multiple developers have can deem only 35 percent of land as reached out to the city of Omaha to blighted or extremely blighted. Cities inquire about the possibility of using of the first class are impacted most the extremely blighted provisions to significantly by the restriction, she build affordable housing.” said, with cities like South Sioux City, Jennifer Taylor, an Omaha city Kearney, Scottsbluff and Grand Island attorney, spoke in support of LB25. all near their limit. She said projects in extremely blighted Following a devastating flood in areas often require new sewers, side- 2019, a significant area of Fremont is walk repair, updated utilities and other eligible to be designated as extremely infrastructure upgrades, making them blighted, Walz said, but doing so more expensive and less profitable. would put the city near the 35-percent “[The bill] will go a long way to limit, hindering future growth. helping certain areas,” Taylor said. “Currently, if a developer were

PAGE 16 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE January 25 - 29, 2021 Committee Hearings Current hearing schedules are available at: NebraskaLegislature.gov/calendar Further committee information is available at: NebraskaLegislature.gov/committees/standing-committees.php

Monday, Feb. 1 Compensation Act General Affairs Banking, Commerce & Insurance LB463 (Arch) Change provisions Room 1510 - 1:30 p.m. Room 1507 - 9:30 a.m. relating to physical examinations of LB560 (Briese) Change provisions LB337 (Kolterman) Adopt the Step- injured employees under the Nebraska relating to the Nebraska Racetrack Therapy Reform Act Workers’ Compensation Act Gaming Act LB487 (Arch) Change insurance LB122 (Hunt) Change provisions LB561 (Briese) Change provisions coverage provisions for mental health relating to the minimum wage relating to the State Racing conditions and serious mental illness LB660 (McDonnell) Change collective- Commission and provide regulatory LB314 (Pahls) Change provisions bargaining provisions relating to authority of the Nebraska Racetrack related to insurance coverage of the University of Nebraska and the Gaming Act telehealth Nebraska state colleges LB608 (Hilgers) Eliminate obsolete provisions relating to the State Racing Banking, Commerce & Insurance Education Commission Room 1507 - 1:30 p.m. Room 1525 - 9:30 a.m. LR26CA (Lindstrom) Constitutional Appointment: Kelly J. Lammers - Dept. LB327 (Slama) Require a personal amendment to allow the Legislature of Banking and Finance finance or financial literacy credit for to authorize, regulate, and tax sports LB509 (Lindstrom) Change provisions high school graduation wagering relating to the State Treasurer and LB452 (McKinney) Adopt the Financial LB545 (Wayne) Adopt the Games of treasury management Literacy Act Skill Act, provide for excise taxes, and LB532 (Lowe) Change provisions LB675 (Linehan) Adopt the Education use proceeds to reduce school district relating to property under the Uniform Lobbyist Pay Transparency Act property tax levies Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act and the School Employees Retirement Education Transportation & Telecommunications Act and change a security deposit Room 1525 - 1:30 p.m. Room 1113 - 9:30 a.m. provision under the Uniform Residential Appointment: Molly S. O’Holleran LB164 (Erdman) Change provisions Landlord and Tenant Act - Coordinating Commission for relating to the establishment of speed Postsecondary Education limits by local authorities Business & Labor LB60 (Kolterman) Change provisions LB226 (Hilkemann) Change motor Room 1524 - 9:30 a.m. related to community college levies vehicle tax exemptions as prescribed LB665 (Business & Labor) Deny claims LB587 (McDonnell) Adopt the Career under the Motor Vehicle Registration Act against the state Mentoring Grant Act LB666 (Business & Labor) Provide for LB641 (Day) Change provisions Transportation & Telecommunications payment of claims against the state regarding school district salaries during Room 1113 - 1:30 p.m. LB567 (Business & Labor) Change an epidemic LB293 (Flood) Change the number of provisions relating to the maximum and qualifications for members of the annual amount of benefits under the General Affairs Public Service Commission Employment Security Law Room 1510 - 9:30 a.m. LB619 (Sanders) Change excavation LB450 (McKinney) Adopt the Nebraska LB73 (Geist) Direct a portion of the requirements under the One-Call Innovation Hub Act proceeds from the Nebraska Racetrack Notification System Act LB598 (Wishart) Adopt the Small Gaming Act to county agricultural LB344 (Friesen) Change provisions of Business Stabilization Grant Program societies the One-Call Notification System Act Act cancelled LB580 (Moser) Change provisions and create the Underground Excavation relating to the operation of games of Safety Committee Business & Labor chance under the Nebraska Racetrack Room 1524 - 1:30 p.m. Gaming Act Tuesday, Feb. 2 LB407 (McDonnell) Include certain LB371 (Aguilar) Provide for games of Agriculture county correctional officers in chance under the Nebraska Racetrack Room 1524 - 9:30 a.m. provisions governing mental injuries Gaming Act at state, district, and Appointment: John E. Walvoord - and mental illnesses under the county fair locations Beginning Farmer Board Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act LB536 (Aguilar) Change provisions LR5 (Gragert) Accept the findings and LB256 (M. Hansen) Change provisions relating to distribution and use of recommendations of the Healthy Soils relating to lump-sum settlement certain proceeds from horseracing Task Force submitted to the Governor approval and the filing of releases and the Agriculture Committee under the Nebraska Workers’ LB584 (Vargas) Adopt the Mobile Food

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 17 January 25 - 29, 2021 Committee Hearings Current hearing schedules are available at: NebraskaLegislature.gov/calendar Further committee information is available at: NebraskaLegislature.gov/committees/standing-committees.php

Unit Act and change fees for a mobile LB117 (M. Cavanaugh) Adopt the Inland Port Authority Act food unit Hunger-Free Schools Act LB332 (Wayne) Change provisions LB528 (Walz) Provide, change, and relating to the city council of a city of Agriculture eliminate provisions relating to education the metropolitan class Room 1524 - 1:30 p.m. LB235 (Brewer) State intent regarding Nebraska Retirement Systems Wednesday, Feb. 3 implementation of a meat processing Room 1525 - 12:00 p.m. Executive Board establishment inspection program LB586 (Clements) Require an annual Room 1524 - 12:00 p.m. LB324 (Brandt) Change provisions report regarding police and firefighter LB409 (Brewer) Provide a moratorium on of the Nebraska Meat and Poultry retirement plans in certain cities construction of electric transmission lines Inspection Law cancelled and create the Electric Transmission Line Study Committee of the Legislature Banking, Commerce & Insurance Transportation & Telecommunications Room 1507 - 9:30 a.m. Room 1113 - 9:30 a.m. Government, Military & Veterans Affairs LB177 (Lindstrom) Change provisions LB343 (Friesen) Change identification Room 1507 - 9:30 a.m. relating to under the Uniform inspection provisions under the Motor LB283 (Briese) Provide for year-round Commercial Code Vehicle Certificate of Title Act daylight saving time LB234 (Flood) Change corporate LB581 (B. Hansen) Change motorcycle, LB59 (Stinner) Change provisions reporting and occupation tax provisions moped, and autocycle helmet provisions regarding sales of tourism promotional LB253 (Williams) Change provisions products by the Nebraska Tourism relating to series limited liability Transportation & Telecommunications Commission and distribution of revenue companies Room 1113 - 1:30 p.m. LB275 (Brewer) Create the LB574 (Bostar) Change motor vehicle Semiquincentennial Commission Banking, Commerce & Insurance identification inspection requirements Room 1507 - 1:30 p.m. LB534 (Day) Change provisions relating Government, Military & Veterans Affairs LB535 (Kolterman) Provide for notice to renewal of operators’ while Room 1507 - 1:30 p.m. to life insurance assignees of default, in the foreign service of the United LB263 (Briese) Require occupational lapse, and termination States boards to issue certain credentials LB503 (Flood) Authorize attorney’s fees LB448 (Morfeld) Impose a surcharge based on credentials or work to be paid from trustee’s sale proceeds on operator’s licenses and permits and experience in another jurisdiction for certain actions and judgments state identification cards issued under LB250 (Hunt) Adopt the Interior Design under the Nebraska Trust Act the Motor Vehicle Operator’s License Voluntary Registration Act LB510 (Lindstrom) Change provisions Act for the Nebraska State Patrol LB50 (Groene) Change voice analysis of the Nebraska Installment Loan Act Retirement System examiner and voice stress analyzer LB508 (Bostelman) Provide motor provisions under the Licensing of Truth Education vehicle tax exemptions for certain and Deception Examiners Act Room 1525 - 9:30 a.m. veterans and spouses LB132 (DeBoer) Create the School LB616 (Hughes) Change abandoned Health & Human Services Financing Review Commission motor vehicle provisions Room 1510 - 9:30 a.m. LB3 (Briese) Change notice LB143 (Kolterman) Require notice to requirements for school district budget Urban Affairs school districts regarding changes in hearings and require access to school Room 1510 - 9:30 a.m. child placement district data LB228 (Morfeld) Change the Property LB425 (Health & Human Services) LB529 (Walz) Change provisions for the Assessed Clean Energy Act Require the Department of Health and distribution of lottery funds used for LB265 (Blood) Change provisions of the Human Services to complete a needs education, transfer powers and duties, Property Assessed Clean Energy Act assessment and cost analysis for an create new acts and funds, and change LB405 (Lowe) Change provisions inpatient adolescent psychiatric unit education provisions relating to village boards of trustees LB427 (Health & Human Services) State intent that substance abuse and Education Urban Affairs behavioral health treatment for juveniles Room 1525 - 1:30 p.m. Room 1510 - 1:30 p.m. by the Department of Health and LB607 (Hilgers) Correct references LB515 (McKinney) Adopt the Municipal Human Services not be delayed to a federally defined term relating to Police Oversight Act education LB156 (Wayne) Adopt the Municipal

PAGE 18 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE January 25 - 29, 2021 Committee Hearings Current hearing schedules are available at: NebraskaLegislature.gov/calendar Further committee information is available at: NebraskaLegislature.gov/committees/standing-committees.php

Health & Human Services policies on excessive force amendment to require enactment of a Room 1510 - 1:30 p.m. LB551 (Wayne) Change and provide consumption tax and prohibit certain LB428 (Health & Human Services) State qualifications for and duties relating other forms of taxation that juveniles at youth rehabilitation to certification of law enforcement and treatment centers are to receive officers, require accreditation of Thursday, Feb. 4 an appropriate education equivalent law enforcement agencies, prohibit Government, Military & Veterans Affairs to educational opportunities offered in chokeholds in law enforcement, require Room 1507 - 9:30 a.m. public schools policies on excessive force, and create LB414 (Wishart) Change provisions of LB429 (Health & Human Services) a public data base of law enforcement the Political Subdivisions Construction Require notification by the Department officer misconduct Alternatives Act of Health and Human Services to the LB601 (McKinney) Require law LB242 (Brandt) Provide for county Legislature prior to implementation of enforcement agencies to maintain bridges under the Political Subdivisions substantial changes to facilities and records regarding officer discipline Construction Alternatives Act programs under the Office of Juvenile and create a public data base of law LB105 (Friesen) Change certification Services enforcement officer misconduct dates for unpaid county claims LB490 (M. Cavanaugh) Require youth rehabilitation and treatment centers to Natural Resources Government, Military & Veterans Affairs obtain a license from the Division of Room 1525 - 9:30 a.m. Room 1507 - 1:30 p.m. Public Health Appointments: Jim Hellbusch; Mark LB41 (Dorn) Change provisions relating Quandahl - Neb. Environmental Trust to certain payments of funds to Judiciary Board townships Room 1113 - 9:30 a.m. Appointment: Gregory Eugene Moen - LB267 (McCollister) Change provisions LB138 (Vargas) Require jails and law Neb. Power Review Board relating to municipal counties enforcement agencies to provide public Appointment: Thomas L. Knutson - LB345 (Friesen) Provide a budget notice before entering into agreements Neb. Natural Resources Commission limitation exception as prescribed to enforce federal immigration law LB507 (Bostelman) Prohibit the use LB303 (M. Hansen) Provide a budget LB151 (Morfeld) Adopt the of treated seed corn in the production limitation exception as prescribed Prosecutorial Transparency Act of agricultural ethyl alcohol in certain LB663 (Geist) Require the Nebraska circumstances Health & Human Services Commission on Law Enforcement and LB615 (Erdman) Provide for the election Room 1510 - 9:30 a.m. Criminal Justice to create a mental of members of the Game and Parks LB645 (B. Hansen) Provide for health indicator in a criminal justice Commission enhanced penalties for violations of information system to alert emergency directed health measures committed by dispatch operators Natural Resources public officials Room 1525 - 1:30 p.m. LB251 (M. Cavanaugh) Change the age Judiciary LB513 (Brewer) Change qualifications for organ and tissue donation Room 1113 - 1:30 p.m. and terms of public power district LB51 (Lathrop) Change and provide board members Health & Human Services qualifications for and duties relating LB627 (Morfeld) Change provisions Room 1510 - 1:30 p.m. to certification of law enforcement relating to qualified voters for certain LB569 (Pansing Brooks) Provide for officers, require accreditation of public power district elections certain treatment options for patients law enforcement agencies, prohibit with Lyme disease chokeholds in law enforcement, and Revenue LB643 (B. Hansen) Protect an individual require policies on excessive force Room 1524 - 9:30 a.m. liberty right to accept or decline a LB110 (Pansing Brooks) Change and LB422 (Briese) Change the sales tax vaccination under a mandatory directive provide duties relating to use of force in rate and impose sales tax on additional LB447 (M. Cavanaugh) Change law enforcement services provisions relating to immunization LB216 (Wayne) Prohibit certain public under the Child Care Licensing Act communications by a peace officer Revenue LB217 (Wayne) Provide a penalty for Room 1524 - 1:30 p.m. Judiciary filing a false report by a peace officer LB133 (Erdman) Adopt the Nebraska Room 1113 - 9:30 a.m. LB472 (DeBoer) Require law EPIC Consumption Tax Act and LB348 (Morfeld) Change provisions enforcement officers to intervene when eliminate certain other taxes relating to succession to real property excessive force is used and require LR11CA (Erdman) Constitutional by affidavit

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 19 January 25 - 29, 2021 Committee Hearings Current hearing schedules are available at: NebraskaLegislature.gov/calendar Further committee information is available at: NebraskaLegislature.gov/committees/standing-committees.php

LB403 (Slama) Change provisions LB305 (Erdman) Change appointment LB383 (Speaker Hilgers) Appropriate relating to recovery of medical and removal provisions for the secretary funds for capital construction assistance debt from an estate of the Game and Parks Commission LB384 (Speaker Hilgers) Provide LB470 (DeBoer) Adopt the Uniform LB589 (Groene) Change requirements for transfers of funds and change Powers of Appointment Act for integrated management plans by permitted use of a fund LB501 (Flood) Adopt the Uniform natural resources districts LB385 (Speaker Hilgers) Change provi- Relocation Act sions relating to the Cash Reserve Fund LB593 (Slama) Adopt the Uniform Revenue Foreign-Country Money Judgments Room 1524 - 9:30 a.m. Appropriations Recognition Act and the Uniform LB38 (Lindstrom) Change provisions re- Room 1525 - 1:30 p.m. Registration of Canadian Money lating to tax credits and retaliatory taxes Agency 18: Dept. of Agriculture Judgments Act LB366 (Briese) Change the Nebraska Ad- Agency 18: Dept. of Agriculture vantage Microenterprise Tax Credit Act Note: Potato Board & Poultry/Egg Judiciary LB531 (Briese) Adopt the Nebraska Agency 39: Neb. Brand Committee Room 1113 - 1:30 p.m. Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Act Agency 60: Neb. Ethanol Board LB196 (Vargas) Prohibit discrimination Agency 56: Neb. Wheat Board based on lawful source of income Revenue Agency 61: Neb. Dairy Industry under the Nebraska Fair Housing Act Room 1524 - 1:30 p.m. Development Board LB309 (Clements) Adopt the Assistance LB74 (Geist) Eliminate funding for the Agency 86: Dry Bean Commission Animal Integrity in Housing Act Nebraska Advantage Microenterprise Agency 88: Corn Development, LB394 (Morfeld) Adopt the Public Tax Credit Act and state intent Utilization and Marketing Board Health Emergency Housing Protection regarding use of funds Agency 92: Neb. Grain Sorghum Board Act and change deadlines for trials in LB176 (Lindstrom) Provide an income Agency 95: Dry Pea & Lentil Commission actions for possession and forcible tax credit for certain agricultural Agency 97: Hemp Commission entry and detainer producers Agency 45: Board of Barber Examiners LB402 (DeBoer) Require a report by LB194 (Vargas) Change the Nebraska Agency 30: State Electrical Board the Supreme Court regarding eviction Job Creation and Mainstreet Agency 74: Neb. Power Review Board proceedings Revitalization Act Agency 41: State Commission LB419 (J. Cavanaugh) Require LB254 (Williams) Extend the date Agency 53: Real Property Appraiser Board appointment of counsel in eviction for applications under the Beginning Agency 57: Neb. Oil and Gas Conservation proceedings and provide for a filing fee Farmer Tax Credit Act Commission LB453 (McKinney) Require landlords Agency 63: Neb. Board of Public to comply with certain ordinances and Friday, Feb. 5 Accountancy change provisions relating to remedies Appropriations Agency 58: Board of Engineers and under the Uniform Residential Landlord Room 1525 - 9:30 a.m. Architects and Tenant Act Budget bills scheduled at this time for Agency 59: Board of Geologists official record purposes. Testimony Agency 62: State Board of Examiners Natural Resources on the overall budget is appropriate, for Land Surveyors Room 1525 - 9:30 a.m. however testimony on specific issues Agency 66: Abstracters Board of Appointment: Timothy E. Krause - Neb. and/or agencies should be presented Examiners Natural Resources Commission at the date scheduled for the relevant Agency 73: State Board of Landscape LB562 (Erdman) Relocate the Game agency Architects and Parks Commission headquarters to LB379 (Speaker Hilgers) Provide, the city of Sidney, Nebraska change, and eliminate provisions Government, Military & Veterans Affairs LB668 (Hughes) Relocate the relating to appropriations Room 1507 - 9:30 a.m. headquarters of the Game and Parks LB380 (Speaker Hilgers) Appropriate LB435 (B. Hansen) Require an official Commission funds for the expenses of Nebraska watermark on certain ballots under the State Government for the biennium Election Act Natural Resources ending June 30, 2023 LB285 (Brewer) Change provisions Room 1525 - 1:30 p.m. LB381 (Speaker Hilgers) Appropriate relating to elections conducted Appointment: Bradley B. Dunbar - Neb. funds for salaries of members of the pursuant to the Election Act Natural Resources Commission Legislature LB514 (Brewer) Change procedures for Appointment: Rodney R. Christen - LB382 (Speaker Hilgers) Appropriate forming a new political party under the Neb. Environmental Trust Board funds for salaries of constitutional officers Election Act

PAGE 20 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE January 25 - 29, 2021 Committee Hearings Current hearing schedules are available at: NebraskaLegislature.gov/calendar Further committee information is available at: NebraskaLegislature.gov/committees/standing-committees.php

Government, Military & Veterans Affairs LB118 (Morfeld) Change duration LB568 (Pansing Brooks) Change provi- Room 1507 - 1:30 p.m. of harassment, sexual assault, and sions relating to truancy, juvenile courts, LB362 (Halloran) Change provisions domestic abuse protection orders and the Community-based Juvenile Services relating to ballots for early voting under change requirements for affidavits Aid Program, the Commission Grant the Election Act LB372 (Day) Change provisions relating Program, and compulsory education LB11 (Blood) Change provisions to applications under the Nebraska LB638 (Health & Human Services) regarding voter registration and Crime Victim’s Reparations Act Require a report by the State Court requests for ballots for early voting LB461 (Pansing Brooks) Require human Administrator regarding juveniles trafficking informational posters in casinos discharged from youth rehabilitation Health & Human Services LB497 (DeBoer) Provide for and treatment centers Room 1510 - 9:30 a.m. compensation under the Nebraska LB413 (Wishart) Require coverage of Crime Victim’s Reparations Act for Revenue medications for substance use disorder health care providers examining or Room 1524 - 9:30 a.m. treatment and addiction medicine ser- treating victims of sexual assault or LB272 (Morfeld) Adopt the Apprenticeship vices under the Medical Assistance Act domestic assault Training Program Tax Credit Act LB400 (Arch) Change requirements LB519 (Morfeld) Provide immunity from LB318 (J. Cavanaugh) Increase the related to coverage of telehealth by arrest and prosecution for certain drug earned income tax credit insurers and medicaid and alcohol offenses for witnesses and LB346 (Wishart) Adopt the Fueling victims of sexual assaults Station Tax Credit Act Health & Human Services LB682 (Linehan) Change the New Room 1510 - 1:30 p.m. Judiciary Markets Job Growth Investment Act LB592 (Stinner) Change provisions of Room 1113 - 1:30 p.m. the Automated Medication Systems Act LB445 (M. Hansen) Change Revenue LB252 (Williams) Provide for refills of requirements for peace officers taking Room 1524 - 1:30 p.m. veterinary drug orders by veterinary juveniles into custody or interrogating LB182 (Linehan) Exclude certain income drug distributors juveniles and prohibit use of statements from the definition of gross receipts LB583 (Murman) Require electronic taken in violation of such requirements LB596 (Albrecht) Adopt the Nebraska prescriptions for controlled substances LB492 (M. Cavanaugh) Create the Higher Blend Tax Credit Act Nebraska Integrated Juvenile Data LB597 (Albrecht) Provide a tax credit Judiciary Governing Body and the Nebraska for the parents of stillborn children Room 1113 - 9:30 a.m. Juvenile Justice Information System LB674 (Linehan) Change provisions LB7 (Blood) Provide immunity from LB537 (Geist) Change provisions relating to the allocation and use of arrest and prosecution for witnesses relating to placement and commitment credits under the Affordable Housing and victims of violent crimes of juveniles Tax Credit Act n

s part of the Legislature’s procedural modifications in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, four options A have been approved for public input this year. 1. As always, individuals may testify in person at committee hearings. Hearing room capacity will be limited due to social distancing. 2. The public may submit written testimony in person on the day of a public hearing — between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. in the room in which the hearing will take place. These submissions will be included in the official committee hearing record. 3. Individuals wishing to provide public comment without appearing in person may submit a position letter by emailing the committee’s account by 12:00 p.m. CST on the last work day prior to the public hearing. A list of committee email accounts is available on the Legislature’s website at NebraskaLegislature.gov/ committees/committee-emails.php. 4. Online comments may be submitted through a new feature on the Legislature’s website, which is available on each individual bill page. Online written comments will not be included as part of the official legislative record. For details, visit NebraskaLegislature.gov/committees/public-input.php n

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 21 January 25 - 29, 2021 LEGISLATIVE GLOSSARY “A” Bill - see Appropriation Bill. Engrossment - the process of preparing a bill for Final Read- Amendment On File - an amendment of 10 or more pages, ing by incorporating all adopted amendments. not printed separately or in the Journal, that is available in Enrollment and Review (E&R) - the process of incorporating the Clerk’s Office (Room 2018). adopted amendments into a bill and reviewing the bill for Amendment Printed Separate - an amendment of 10 or more technical and grammatical accuracy. pages, printed separately from the Journal, that is available Executive Session - a closed meeting of a committee to dis- in the Bill Room (Room 1102). cuss and act on bills and resolutions. An executive session Appropriation Bill (“A” Bill) - a bill to appropriate funds to is open only to committee members, committee staff and finance another bill bearing the same number. the media. Attorney General’s Opinion - a written analysis of a question Final Reading - the third and last stage at which a bill is of law prepared by the attorney general for the governor, considered by the entire Legislature. The clerk reads the the head of an executive department or any state senator. entire bill aloud, unless final reading is waived, and sena- Bill - see Legislative Bill. tors vote without debate on whether to submit the bill to Bracket - to delay consideration of a bill. the governor. Call of the House - a procedure used to compel attendance Fiscal Note - a statement prepared by the Legislative Fiscal of unexcused senators in the chamber. Office estimating the effect a bill would have on state and/ Carry-over Legislation - bills and resolutions introduced or local expenditures and revenue. during the regular session in an odd-numbered year and Floor - the area of the legislative chamber where the senators held over for consideration during the regular session in sit. When a committee advances a bill “to the floor,” it means an even-numbered year. the bill is being sent to the full Legislature for consideration. Chair - the presiding officer. General File - the first stage at which a bill is considered by Cloture - a parliamentary action to cease debate on a bill and the full Legislature. Bills on General File may be amended, vote immediately on its advancement. A motion for cloture returned to committee, indefinitely postponed or advanced may be made after eight hours of to Select File. debate on most bills and after 12 Hearing - a regularly scheduled hours on appropriation bills in- committee meeting to receive troduced by the Appropriations public comment on proposed bills Committee. and resolutions. Constitutional Amendment Reso- House Under Call - the term used lution - a proposal to amend when all unexcused senators are the state constitution, ratify or required to be in their seats in reject an amendment to the U.S. the chamber and unauthorized Constitution, or petition Con- personnel must leave the floor. gress about amending the U.S. Indefinitely Postpone (IPP) - to Constitution. State CA resolu- kill a bill. tions have the suffix “CA” by Interim - the period between regu- the resolution number, and they lar legislative sessions. must be approved by the voters as well as the Legislature. Interim Study Resolution - a resolution authorizing a Consent Calendar - a portion of the agenda in which relatively committee to study an issue following adjournment of a noncontroversial bills are considered and quickly advanced legislative session. to the next legislative stage. Usually, a bill on consent cal- IPP - see Indefinitely Postpone. endar can be debated for no more than 15 minutes. Journal - see Legislative Journal. “E” Clause - see Emergency Clause. Laws of Nebraska (Session Laws) - bound compilation of all E&R - see Enrollment and Review. laws and constitutional amendment resolutions passed in Emergency Clause (“E” Clause) - a provision that allows a a legislative session, the state Constitution, and subject bill or a portion of a bill to take effect immediately after and section indexes. the governor signs it or after the Legislature overrides the Legislative Bill (LB) - a proposal to create, change or delete governor’s veto. one or more laws.

PAGE 22 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE January 25 - 29, 2021

Legislative History - the committee and floor debate records may be printed in the Legislative Journal. for any bill. A history includes transcripts of the bill’s hear- Select Committee - a permanent committee with a subject- ing and all floor debate. matter jurisdiction related to the administration of the Legislative Journal - official record of legislative floor Legislature. action, including all motions, the number of yeas Select File - the second stage at which a bill is con- and nays on each vote, etc. sidered by the entire Legislature. Bills on Select Legislative Resolution (LR) - a proposal to File may be amended, returned to committee, make a formal expression of opinion, in- indefinitely postponed or advanced to Final tent or recognition; amend the state or Reading. federal constitution; or authorize a study Session - a period of time, usually a num- of an issue during the interim. See also ber of days, during which the Legislature Constitutional Amendment Resolution, meets and transacts business. Interim Study Resolution. Session Laws - compilation of all laws Line-Item Veto - the power of the governor and constitutional amendment resolu- to make specific reductions in any part tions passed in a session. of a budget bill passed by the Legislature. Sine Die - without setting a future date Machine Vote - a vote taken by electronic for reconvening. When the Legislature voting system. The voting board shows adjourns sine die, the legislative session how each senator voted, but only vote is finished for the year. totals are entered in the Legislative Journal. Slip Law - a bill or constitutional amend- Major Proposal - a bill or constitutional amend- ment resolution printed individually in its ment resolution that the speaker designates as approved form after being enacted into law or important enough for scheduling priority. Each submitted to voters. session, up to five bills may be chosen as major proposals, Speaker of the Legislature - the officer of the Legislature, all of which must be senator priority bills and must get the elected from among the senators, who prepares the daily approval of two-thirds of the Executive Board. agenda and the session calendar and presides in the absence One-liner - a one-line description of a bill or resolution. of the lieutenant governor. Override a Veto - see Veto Override. Special Committee - a committee created by law for a specific President of the Legislature - the lieutenant governor. While reason. Except for the Executive Board, special committees senators address whomever is in the chair as Mr. or Madam have no jurisdiction over bills or resolutions. President, the lieutenant governor alone holds the official Special Session - a limited legislative session called for a spe- title. cific purpose by the governor or two-thirds (33 members) Presiding Officer - the senator currently presiding over leg- of the Legislature. islative proceedings. Standing Committee - a permanent committee with subject- Priority Bill - a bill that has priority status and generally is matter jurisdiction related to an area of public policy. considered ahead of other bills in debate. Each senator may Almost all bills and resolutions are referred to one of the select one priority bill, each committee may select two prior- 14 standing committees. ity bills, and the speaker may select up to 25 priority bills. Summary Sheet - a daily list of all legislative activity that has Record Vote - a vote on which a record is kept of how each taken place in one legislative day, including action taken senator voted. The vote is taken by electronic voting system on bills and resolutions. and the senators’ names and corresponding votes are then Veto - the power of the governor to reject bills passed by the printed in the Legislative Journal. Legislature. The governor has five days, excluding Sundays, Regular Session - the annual session that begins the first to either sign or veto a bill. The Legislature then has an Wednesday after the first Monday in January. opportunity to override the veto. Resolution - see Legislative Resolution. Veto Override - the power of the Legislature to pass a bill over Revisor Bill - a bill, prepared by the Office of the Revisor of the governor’s veto. A veto override requires the approval Statutes, proposing a technical correction or the repeal of of three-fifths (30 members) of the Legislature. an obsolete statute. Voice Vote - a vote in which senators cast their votes orally Roll Call Vote - a vote during which the senators vote one at and no totals are recorded. a time as the clerk reads their names. Senators cast their Worksheet - a list, prepared daily, that indicates the status of votes verbally, and their names and corresponding votes all bills and resolutions at the end of that legislative day.

107TH LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 23 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