Hello my friends,

The second session of the 108th Nebraska Legislature began last Wednesday. My office worked quite a bit over the interim to make sure we had good legislation ready to introduce on day one, and that’s what we did. We introduced 15 bills on day one, with 18 bills in total and one constitutional amendment.

The first week of session flew by very quickly, as senators introduced their own bills. This week should bring about more interesting conversations on the floor as the rules debates begin.

Before you read the bills below, please keep in mind to contact my office if you’re interested in testifying in support for legislation or writing a letter of support. You can call the office by calling 402-471-2627. You can also email my staff below:

Alex: amaycher@leg.ne.gov
Gabriel: ghinrichs@leg.ne.gov

Here are some brief descriptions of each bill.

LB821 Special Needs Children and Military Families
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54821
-minimizes delays for children of active service military families to be enrolled in a new school district
-comparable services to the child are immediately in effect when they arrive as LB821 transfers their IEP or special education plan over
-with due process hearing parents fees are covered for witnesses and burden of proof is shifted to the state

LB822 Social Workers Compact 
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54637
-allows Nebraska to join the social workers compact where licensed social workers in a compact member state can practice in Nebraska

LB823 PA Compact 
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54638
-allows Nebraska to join the Physician Associates Compact to allow licensed PA’s of member states to practice Nebraska 
-remove licensure hurdles when moving to a compact member state

LB824 Dentist/Dental Hygienists Interstate Compact 
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54636
-Nebraska will become a member of dentist/dental hygienist compact where those licensed in these professions will be able to practice in a compact member state
-remove licensure hurdles when moving to a compact member state

LB825 Farmers of Color Opportunity Act 
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55054
-a dollar for dollar tax break for grant organizations that give grants to farmers of color that can prove food production is their main source of income

LB826 Reduced Games and Park Passes for Veterans/Active Duty
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54905
-reduces the annual games and parks fee to $5 for active military members or veterans regardless of their state residency status

LB827-Child Labor and Entertainment 
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54766
-adds new regulations for child performers in the entertainment industry
-new requirements for child performing arts permit
-Department of Labor has new requirements enforcing this

LB828 Apiary Bill 
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54753
-update language to current Nebraska Apiary Act
-create Pollinator Task Force and provide certain duties for them
-establish a Nebraska Apiary registry

LB829 Colonoscopy Screenings 
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54878
-insured patients will not be subject to additional charges for any medical service associated with a colonoscopy
-this includes discovery and removal of polyps, lab services and anesthesia

LB830 State Tartan
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54859
-establish the Nebraska State Tartan

LB831 Re-define Noxious Weeds
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54954
-update outdated and ineffective regulations to redefine what a noxious weed is and create an invasive species list to prevent further environmental degradation
-enforcement mechanisms include daily fine maxed out to %1500 with $100 a day
-prevents these plants being sold and planted but does not put new obligations on landowners

LB832 Juvenile Jurisdiction Military Children
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54811
-authorize acceptance of cession or retrocession of federal jurisdiction for juvenile matters

LB833 Prescription Drug Affordability Board 
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54767
-creates a drug review board comprised of experts reviewing price of certain prescription drugs in the state
-Governor appoints the board members; limited to 15 prescription drugs available to review annually

LB834 Dental Residence License 
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54785
-allows a temporary license for postgraduate dental student who has proof of graduation to be able to practice dentistry at an approved residence site they are enrolled at

LB835 Interstate Compact School Psychologists 
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55199
-allows Nebraska to join this compact (ICSP) for licensed school psychologists that are licensed in a member state to practice in Nebraska and vice versa

LB911 Indian Child Welfare Act
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55316
-Require the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Probation Administration to make reports and collect data under the Nebraska Indian Child Welfare Act

LB976 Training for Judges
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55332
-Provide for an education and training program for judges and court staff specifically for child abuse and custody determinations

LB977 Military Anti-Discrimination
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54810
-Prohibit discrimination based on military or veteran status

LR275CA Ending Right to Work 
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54764
-a constitutional amendment to repeal provisions prohibiting a person being denied employment because a person’s membership in a labor organization

Thank you very much for being subscribed to the newsletter. If you have any friends or family that you think would enjoy receiving this newsletter, please contact my Administrative Aide, Gabriel through his email ghinrichs@leg.ne.gov and he’ll add them to the recipients list. Once again, thank you for being a subscriber and feel free to contact the office if you have any questions or concerns about legislation or if you have an issue that needs to be addressed with local or state government.