Hilkemann’s Highlights

The Speaker allowed one morning this week for committees to meet in “Executive Session,” which is a private meeting to determine which bills to advance for debate. A majority vote is required to forward a bill to the entire legislature.

I was disappointed that the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee deadlocked at 4-4 on sending LB 373, which I introduced, to the floor. The bill would require school buses manufactured after 2016 to have shoulder-lap belts for all passengers. Students would be required to have training and wear the belts. I was planning to designate LB 373 as my priority bill for this session. Priority bills are guaranteed debate before the end of the session. I will be studying other issues to use as my priority for this year.

A bill with much discussion this past week was LB 366, to increase for Medicaid eligible aged, blind, and disabled persons, who reside in an alternative living arrangements, the personal needs allowance from $50 to $75. I supported this bill, which was amended and moved to second round debate with a $10 increase, to $60 per month.