UNICAMERAL UPDATE News published daily at Update.Legislature.ne.gov Vol. 42, Issue 20 / May 21 - 31, 2019 Legislature adjourns sine die Senators override he first ses- veto; regional public sion of the 106th Leg- transit approved T awmakers successfully overrode islature adjourned a veto May 31 of a bill that sine die May 31, adopts the Regional Metropoli- the 84th day of the L tan Transit Authority Act. scheduled 90-day Under LB492, introduced by session. Sen. Justin Wayne Speaker Jim of Omaha, an ex- Scheer of Norfolk isting transit au- said among the ac- thority that serves complishments this one or more mu- session, senators nicipalities located passed a strategic within the same and balanced bud- metropolitan sta- Sen. Justin Wayne get and enacted leg- tistical area or combined statistical islation to assist ac- area can convert to a RMTA. Omaha tive duty and retired Speaker Jim Scheer told fellow senators that many of the measures has the only transit authority created military families, in- approved this session will make a meaningful difference in the lives under existing state law that falls un- crease government of individual Nebraskans. der the bill’s provisions. transparency, spur economic develop- however, Scheer noted that several An ordinance to create, join or ment and address ongoing problems major issues were left on the table. leave a RMTA will require a two-thirds with the state’s corrections system. “It certainly was not all blue skies,” vote of the governing authority of each “Thanks for all your hard work, he said. municipality involved. If a RMTA is your dedication to this session,” he Two of the most contentious pro- created, it will be governed by a seven- said. “It will pay off. The citizens of Ne- posals were not brought to final votes person board and have the power to braska were well served and they will this year. LB183, a property tax relief issue revenue bonds. be better off than when we started.” proposal, and LB720, which would LB492 passed final reading 32-11 The speaker congratulated senators create a new business tax incentive on May 24. on collaborating with other branches program, were subjected to filibusters. In his veto message, Gov. Pete of government, most notably on a Bill sponsors were unable to garner Ricketts said the bill creates a new package of bills developed with the the 33 votes necessary to cease debate political subdivision with broader state treasurer to expand access to on either bill. taxing authority. and strengthen the state’s college sav- “Instead of working together to “LB492 amounts to an incredible ings plan. ensure that both sides could achieve a $17 million property tax increase for “Because of the multi-branch col- victory, when one bill failed the other all residents of Omaha and Douglas laboration, Nebraska children will quickly followed,” Scheer said. “In the County because it moves the transit now have a 529 account opened for end, we all walked away empty-handed authority’s property tax levy authority each one of them at birth … to help again.” outside of the city and county tax lids kickstart their own college savings He encouraged senators to spend and authorizes the new authority to plan,” he said. time learning to trust one another double its existing property tax levy Despite passing 294 of the 739 bills introduced in an “ambitious” session, (continued page 2) (continued page 2) INSIDE: Hemp industry framework authorized • Restraints for pregnant prisoners, detainees prohibited May 21 - 31, 2019 Legislature Senators override veto; regional public adjourns sine die transit approved (continued from front page) (continued from front page) before the Legislature convenes next amount.” tion was Norfolk Sen. Jim Scheer. He January so that they are able to tackle He added that residents in neigh- said city leaders in the Omaha metro tough issues during the 2020 session. boring Sarpy County could see their area should be allowed to determine “I ask all of you to take a step back property taxes increased if a RMTA whether joining a RMTA would ben- over the interim and get to know each were created. efit their communities. other again,” he said. Wayne filed a motion to override “This bill is permissive,” Scheer Gov. Pete Ricketts, in his address the veto, saying public transportation is said. “It’s not a tax increase. We’re to the Legislature, thanked senators essential to economic growth. Property allowing local entities to determine if for taking time away from their fami- taxes would not increase, he said, be- they want to participate.” lies to serve their fellow citizens. He cause a RMTA’s taxing authority would Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte also applauded their efforts to help be subject to an elected oversight board. opposed the motion to override. Omaha Nebraskans recover from the year’s “In order for Omaha to move needs expanded mass transit, he said, historic floods. forward, we need this,” Wayne said. but he could not support creating an- Ricketts thanked senators for pass- “Public transit is the lifeline of every other entity with the power to raise taxes. ing a bill to provide property tax relief community.” “We have too many elected boards for victims of natural disasters and Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha sup- in this state,” Groene said. “This is a providing a total of $11 million in aid ported the veto override motion. He huge, huge increase in government.” to the governor’s disaster program. said that residents in his South Omaha Also opposing the motion was Sen. “Because of [those] efforts, we will district have lower labor participation Tom Briese of Albion. He said local rebuild bigger, better and stronger rates because they do not have access political subdivisions in Nebraska are than ever before,” he said. “I know to reliable transportation. too dependent upon property taxes to that when you go home, you’ll con- “I need people in my community to fund programs and projects. tinue to work to help the people of get back to work and have opportuni- “Find me a different funding solu- your districts [to] recover.” ties,” Vargas said. “If you don’t think tion for what we’re trying to do here Senators voted 37-9 to adjourn sine regional transit and public transit aids and I’m all in,” Briese said. die. The second session of the 106th with that, then I implore you to come Senators voted 33-16 to override Legislature is scheduled to convene down to my district.” the governor’s veto. Thirty votes were Jan. 8, 2020. g Also supporting the override mo- needed. g UNICAMERAL UPDATE The Unicameral Update is a free, weekly newsletter published during the legislative session. It is produced by the Clerk of the Legislature’s Office through the Unicameral Information Office. For print subscriptions, call 402-471-2788 or email [email protected]. Visit us online at Update.Legislature.ne.gov, twitter.com/UnicamUpdate and facebook.com/UnicameralUpdate. Clerk of the Legislature: Patrick J. O’Donnell Editor: Kate Heltzel; Writers: Kyle Harpster, Ami Johnson, Mike Malloy; Photographer: Bess Ghormley Printed copies of bills, resolutions and the Legislative Journal are available at the State Capitol room 1023, or by calling 402-471-2709 or 800-742-7456. Status of bills and resolutions can be requested at that number or can be found on NebraskaLegislature.gov. Live video of hearings and floor debate can be viewed on NET2 and at NetNebraska.org/capitol. Senators may be contacted by mail at this address: Senator Name, District #, State Capitol, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604 Assistance provided by the Clerk of the Legislature’s Office, the Legislative Technology Center, committee clerks, legal counsels, journal clerks, pages, transcribers, mail room and bill room staff and the State Print Shop. The Unicameral Update is available as an audio recording from the Nebraska Library Commission’s Talking Book and Braille Service. Call (800) 742-7691 for more information. THE NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE’S OFFICIAL NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1977 PAGE 2 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 106TH LEGISLATURE May 21 - 31, 2019 grown in accordance with the law. provide the required documentation. The bill requires the department’s Failure to produce documentation will director to submit a state regulatory constitute probable cause to believe plan to the U.S. Secretary of Agricul- that the hemp may be marijuana or Hemp industry framework ture no later than Dec. 31, 2019. any other controlled substance, which authorized The plan will describe practices to could result in arrest of the individual maintain information regarding land and seizure of the substance. Nebraskans may grow, process and where hemp is cultivated, handled Any person intentionally violat- handle hemp and hemp products in or processed; procedures governing ing the law will be guilty of a class the state under a bill passed by the the sampling and testing of hemp; IV misdemeanor and fined not more Legislature May 24. procedures for destroying hemp plants than $1,000. Congress legalized the cultivation or products that violate the act; proce- The amendment also authorizes and sale of hemp with the 2018 Farm dures for implementing the act’s en- the department to use two existing Bill by removing it from the federal forcement provisions; and a procedure cash funds to defray the act’s imple- Controlled Substances Act. States that for conducting annual inspections of mentation costs. wish to regulate hemp production first a random sample of hemp cultivators. After voting 44-2 to adopt Wayne’s must submit a plan to the U.S. Depart- Prior to the state plan’s approval, amendment, senators advanced the ment of Agriculture for approval.