These companies are already here and already doing business in the state. My bill would make sure we’re not the “wild west” of Fantasy Sports and we have some way to regulate and get a little revenue from these types of companies while making sure no one is behaving unscrupulously. 

Hearing for the Nebraska Children’s Hearing Aid Act

Earlier in the day, LB15  went in front of the Banking and Insurance committee. Otherwise known as the Children of Nebraska Hearing Aid Act, this would make it easier for parents to provide their children with hearing aids by making it a requirement for health insurance companies to cover them in certain circumstances. I believe this is incredibly important for the children of the state of Nebraska.

Prior to the hearing for LB15 a Press Conference was held to announce the bill and to hear from sponsoring Senators, families affected by hearing loss, and speech and hearing professionals in support of the bill.

Sponsor Senators present from L-R: Senator Matt Hansen, Lincoln, Senator John McCollister, Omaha, Senator Blood, Senator Megan Hunt (front) and Senator Sue Crawford, Bellevue.

A Visit from Future State Senator Bailey Mooney 
For the second year in a row, high school student Bailey Mooney of Bee, Nebraska, came to the Legislature to spend the day shadowing myself and staff. Bailey is a senior at Seward High School where she participates in Debate, and enjoys all things Nebraska Legislature. In the photo below, Bailey is showing off her photo featured in last week’s Unicameral Update announcing the dates for this year’s Unicameral Youth Legislature. The Youth Legislature, in which Bailey is an Alum, is a summer program where student senators learn the inner-workings of the Legislature through simulation. I predict that someday the Unicameral will include a Senator Bailey Mooney. 

If you know a high school student you think would be interested in taking on the role of a state senator at the Unicameral Youth Legislature this June 10-13, please have them call 402-471-2788, or visit www.nebraskalegislature.gov/uyl 
The deadline for registration is May 15, 2019

More Bill News
As far as bills that have already been heard and are winding their way towards passage, LB11, LB7, LB12, and LB115 were all passed on final reading over the last week and were sent to the governor. He has signed LB12 and I expect the other three will be the law of the land soon enough!

LB8, my medical director flashing lights will be joining the quartet quickly. It was placed on final reading on Wednesday and will hopefully get a final vote next week. LB9, my Digital Ledger Technology bill was voted out of committee earlier this week as well. It’s now on General File and I look forward to the debate in front of the full legislature.

Suicide Prevention Outreach sponsored by the America Foundation for the Prevention of Suicide
Advocating on behalf of family and friends in need of necessary mental health care, and for those who are caregivers, our guests shared their stories and spoke of their support for legislation to help ease the burdens faced by those in need of assistance.

L-R: Senator Blood, Linda Jensen, NAMI and OTOC, Papillion, Sarita Troia Penka, NAMI and OTOC, Omaha, and Jennifer Alquicira, NAMI at UNO, Omaha

A Naval Command
On a lighter note, it’s always a pleasure to meet visiting dignitaries when they visit the legislature. I was honored to be able to meet and talk briefly with Commander Alex Baerg of the USS Nebraska. Commander Baerg was joined one his visit by his wife, Nicole. 

Birthday our Way
It was also an honor to take in the “Birthday Our Way” celebration last week. This is a celebration of birthdays of people with developmental disabilities put on by the Nebraska Association of Service Providers.

USSTRATCOM Strategic Fellows Luncheon
The USSTRATCOM Strategic Leadership Fellows Program is a graduate-level leadership development program for civilian employees of the military and is based at the University of Nebraska Omaha’s College of Business Administration. Following lunch at Selleck Dining Hall on the campus of UNL, the Senators in attendance shared information and answered questions regarding their respective districts, the legislative process and current legislation being considered. Attending from the Legislature: myself, Speaker Jim Scheer of District 19 and Senator Tom Brewer of District 43.

L-R: Speaker Scheer, Senator Blood, Senator Brewer (back with yellow shirt)

End of the Week Update
My bills have now all had their committee hearings and focus will move to getting them passed on the floor. However, hearings for various other bills will be going on for a few more weeks. If there are any bills you see that are scheduled for a hearing in any committee, always remember you have a say in what decisions the committee may make and how legislature may vote on the bill.

APPLY FOR A BOARD OR COMMISSION
It’s that time of year again when there are all kinds of boards and commissions in the state that are looking for dedicated citizens to serve. These positions are appointed by the governor and range in topics from Juvenile Justice to Geology. 

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, please visit to the Governor’s website here. You will be able to find a listing of every board that has an opening, as well as a brief synopsis of what is involved. You can also find an application here. Our state is a better place to live and raise our families when our citizens step up Save & Closeand get involved.

MEET OUR TEAM
Dee Austin-Administrative Aide

Did you know that there is a long list of items available for free to the public relating to the Nebraska Legislature? Here is a list of only a few that you might find interesting. If you are receiving this email digitally, you should be able to link to the information from your newsletter.

1. Unicameral Update
2. About the Legislature
3. Unicam Kids
4. Inside Our Nation’s Only Unicameral
5. Poster of Nebraska Senators
6. Membership & Committees Card
7. Lines of Government

For hard copies of these documents, please call my office at 402-471-2627 and we will be happy to place one in the mail to your home address.