Happy Easter, District 1! This week’s column will cover recent bills that have passed or advanced in the Legislature

LB 22 was introduced by Senator Williams on behalf of the Department of Insurance. The legislation proposes to adopt the latest National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) amendments to the Nebraska Protection in Annuity Transactions Act. The NAIC is the United States’ standard-setting and regulatory support organization created and governed by chief insurance regulators and works for the best interest of consumers. The revisions in LB 22 would allow states to continue protecting consumers by requiring insurance producers to act in the best interest of the consumer when making a recommendation of an annuity and through requiring that insurers maintain a system of supervision so that the insurance needs and financial objectives of consumers are addressed. LB 22 passed on Final Reading with a vote of 41-0. It will now be presented to the Governor to sign into law.

LB 338 was introduced by Senator Bostelman and is intended to grow rural broadband access. It passed through General File on a unanimous vote of 40-0. The Public Service Commission adopted rules in 2018 to withhold support from telecommunications carriers that do not offer broadband services. Instead, they redirected that funding to eligible carriers who could provide broadband in the same exchange area. LB 338 would authorize a second method to redirect funds known as a rural-based plan. LB 338 would allow the Public Service Commission to consider a rural-based plan that has been created with the input of local residents. This way, local communities can decide which provider would be best for their needs. LB 338 is a great step towards providing our rural communities with the broadband networking they need.

Senator Gragert’s LB 78 passed General File on a unanimous vote of 45-0. This bill would create new requirements for individuals seeking certain armed services license plates. LB 78 would require an individual to register first with the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs before being issued a license plate designating a Gold Star Family, Ex-Prisoner of War, Disabled American Veteran, or Purple Heart/Combat Wounded. This is an important bill because the Nebraska Veteran’s Council has received complaints that individuals have received military honor license plates when they were not qualified to receive. We should only be issuing this honor to those that deserve it, and LB 78 would ensure that happens.

Finally, my bill, LB 152 passed through General File this week. This bill would change our fireworks definitions to match federal definitions and would broaden the definition of consumer fireworks. We see, especially in our district, thousands of Nebraska residents drive to Missouri to buy their fireworks since there is a greater selection across the border. In fact, in 2019, the state of Missouri made $51 million in revenue due to fireworks sales, while our state only made $6.6 million. By changing the definition of consumer fireworks, we can make Nebraska more competitive in this industry.

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.