Afternoons at the Legislature are full of activity as committee hearings began this
past week.  Although I enjoyed serving as a member of the Government,
Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee, I took my new position as a
member of the Revenue Committee.  I am excited about this new
opportunity to represent District 16 on this important committee as
we address taxation and economic development policy in our state.

I returned to the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee to introduce
LB 775 on behalf of State Auditor Foley.  The bill streamlines the
process for the auditor to disclose audit working papers to law
enforcement agencies for the purpose of a criminal investigation.
Current law only allows the auditor to provide the audit working
papers to the Attorney General or county attorney, as well as the
Legislative Performance Audit Committee.  Additionally, the bill
allows for disclosure of these working papers to an outside
contractor that the auditor may employ for an extraordinary audit.
At this time, the committee has taken no action on LB 775.

During General File debate, the Legislature took up a bill of particular importance
to City of Blair.  LB 352 was introduced by Senator Lautenbaugh, who
represented Blair prior to it becoming part of District 16.  This
legislation amends the Airport Zoning Act by extending the instrument
runway approach from three to ten miles.  In doing so, it protects
the air space for airport use and associated economic development and
airports in our state will be in compliance with Federal Aviation
Administration standards, which also means qualifying for life-flight
landings.  I support this legislation, and LB 352  advanced to Select
File.

The Legislature spent the majority of the week debating LB 418.  This legislation,
introduced by Senator John Nelson, exempts auto-dialing campaign
calls from registration under the Public Service Commission, giving
sole regulation of the calls to the Nebraska Accountability and
Disclosure Commission rather than requiring registration with both
agencies.  Opponents of LB 418 filibustered the bill, questioning the
need for the change and  a level of regulation of the calls.  I
support the bill and do not consider it efficient or necessary to
have two agencies monitoring the same calls.  Debate on LB 418 will
continue.

In light of the recent Missouri River flooding, I introduced two bills pertaining to
natural disasters.  LB 1109 deals with agriculture land valuations,
and LB 1110 addresses the need for permanent and temporary housing
assistance.  I will explain these in greater detail in future
columns.

Chief Justice Michael Heavican presented his State of the Judiciary Address to the
Legislature on January 19.  Chief Justice Heavican spoke about
legislation passed last session (LB 157) that benefits our aging
population as adult guardianship and conservatorship issues become
more prevalent with an increasing number of elderly citizens.  Chief
Justice Heavican said recent statutory changes amount to more checks
and balances and greater protection for vulnerable elderly.  He also
spoke about child welfare cases and the courts as we continue to
identify how, through interbranch cooperation, we can best and more
speedily address solutions and programs for foster children, child
welfare cases, and abused and neglected children.  He also touched
upon meaningful, effective, and less costly incarceration
alternatives, as well as the court’s efficiency and use of technology
in establishing an electronic pay system online for fees and fines.
Lastly, with budget constraints, the Chief Justice spoke about the
courts doing more with less while meeting constitutional
responsibilities.

I had the opportunity to visit with a number of constituents.  During the week,
I attended events with dental hygienists and volunteer firefighters
from our district and also attended a luncheon hosted by Great Plains
Communications.  On Friday evening, my husband, Lee, and I attended
the Blair Area Chamber of Commerce Awards and Banquet Ceremony.  I
enjoyed meeting and visiting with many constituents who have great
visions.

Serving you in the Nebraska Legislature to keep the good life growing,

Senator Lydia Brasch

The second week of the Legislature continued with the introduction of
bills. I continue to work on preparing bill drafts to be introduced,
and I did introduce one bill this week, LB 930. This proposal was
brought to me by constituents in Burt County who would like to be
able to drive golf carts in town.  The bill was initially a request
from a constituent and petition initiated in Oakland.  However, this
legislation is most recently also important to Tekamah residents and
golfers should the golf course be annexed and thus, fall within city
limits. To summarize, LB 930 grants cities and villages the ability
to authorize the use of golf car vehicles, and they may place
additional safety requirements and further restrictions on the use of
golf carts within their jurisdiction. Several senators signed onto
the bill as co-sponsors, and a public hearing will be scheduled
before the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee.

On January 12 Governor Heineman gave his State of the State Address.  He
acknowledged the eight senators who will be leaving the body after
this session due to term limits.  The governor also pointed to a more
promising financial outlook with increased tax receipts of $349
million.  With this in mind, the governor pointed to notable
legislation to reduce the burden placed upon our taxpayers, in
particular the middle class.  Also, as part of his tax proposals, he
expressed intent to provide state corporate tax relief and to
eliminate Nebraska’s inheritance tax.  Additional legislative matters
that the Governor mentioned in his State of the State included the
focus we will place this session on child welfare reform and the need
to work together on a resolution for the benefit of struggling
children and families.  Also acknowledged was the state’s need to act
on creating a health care exchange, despite the fact that the federal
health care law is tied up in court at this time.  Merging two state
departments, the Department of Labor and the Department of Economic
Development are also items on the legislative agenda. Rightly so, the
Governor, myself, and other senators and elected officials share
enthusiasm about the future of our state and the potential for
further success going forward.

A bill I introduced last session, LB 343, was carried over to this year
and taken up by the Legislature on General File.  The bill was
brought to me by the Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors and would
have allowed the Board to set their own educational requirements for
land surveyors through the rules and regulations process.  They
sought this legislation because of their intent to gradually increase
educational requirements over a period of time, and they determined
it to be more sensical to do this through the rules and regulations
as similar industries already do.  However, during debate some
concerns were raised about taking away necessary legislative
oversight, and the decision was made to lay over the bill
indefinitely, meaning we will not see LB 343 debated again this
session.  Instead, I fully expect to carry a bill next session for
the Board that will include elevated education requirements that will
be part of and remain in state statute.

Committee hearings begin on Tuesday, January 17.  The Legislature will convene
for debate in the morning, and hearings will begin in the afternoon
at 1:30.  Please contact me if you have an interest in testifying at
a committee hearing as the public’s input is crucial to the process
and the outcome of legislation.

Outside of the legislative chambers, I have met with constituents across the
district who have come to Lincoln to visit on issues of significance
to them.  Various organizations have sponsored events where I have
had the opportunity to visit with professionals in our district.  It
is encouraging to see involvement in the legislative process and get
direct feedback on the implications of legislation that I will be
voting on.  As always, please feel free to contact me with questions
or concerns, and stop by your District 16 office if you visit Lincoln
or the State Capitol.

Serving you in the Nebraska Legislature to keep the good life growing,

Senator Lydia Brasch

District 16

Wednesday, January 4, marked the start of the second session of the 102nd Legislature. Bill introductions began continue until the tenth day, Thursday, January 19. Sadly, this session began with only 48 of our 49 senators. Prior to the start of session, Senator Dennis Utter, District 33, passed away. Senator Utter was a respected member of the Legislature, and his presence and work will be missed. My condolences to his family, including his son, Mark, a distinguished, former District 16 member.

I am continuing work on draft proposals and have introduced a bill at the request of State Auditor, Mike Foley. This bill, LB 775, allows the auditor to assist with law enforcement agency investigations by making audit working papers available to law enforcement. Current law only allows the auditor to provide these working papers to the Attorney General, a county attorney, or the Performance Audit Committee who direct the auditor to law enforcement agencies. LB 775 allows the auditor to directly provide the working papers to law enforcement agencies for conducting criminal investigations that may be revealed in the course of an audit. The bill was referenced to the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee for a public hearing.

Some of the legislation I am working on has come directly from you, our District 16 constituents. This includes proposals allowing cities to authorize the use of golf carts locally, increasing penalties for violating school bus laws, and legislation that pertains to the recent Missouri River flood events and aftermath. I will talk more specifically about each bill in future columns.

I also co-signed several bills introduced by other senators: LB 815, changes the penalty and statute of limitations regarding concealing the death of another person; LB 766, extends the authority of the Adjutant General to cover hazmat emergency response; LB 876, requires that a patient who receives a mammography is provided with breast density information; LB 850, creates an income tax incentive for individuals moving to certain rural communities with decreasing populations; and LB 781, makes the excise tax on products manufactured by Brewpubs, Microbreweries, Farm Wineries, and Micro Distillers consistent with the federal tax.

As a member of the Rules Committee, as is standard at the start of each session, we conducted a hearing on proposed Rules of the Legislature. The Rules Committee will meet to discuss which proposed rule changes will advance and be debated by the full Legislature on January 11.

Debate of carry over legislation will also begin on Wednesday, January 11. LB 343, to change land survey registration requirements, is one of the bills I introduced that is on General File to be taken up by the Legislature. We will begin public hearings on bills introduced this session on January 17. The standing committees I serve on are Agriculture, General Affairs, and Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs.

We will have much to accomplish in this short, 60-day session. A major issue to address is child welfare reform. The Speaker of the Legislature and the Health and Human Services Committee indicated that this will be a priority as there are many critical issues that must be addressed to improve the system impacting the well-being of our children and ensure funds are efficiently used.

To our District 16 clergyman and ministers, we welcome you to serve as “Chaplain of the Day” and say a prayer before the start of legislative session. Please contact Jamie Kruse in the Clerk’s Office at jkruse@leg.ne.gov with your name, church, address, and phone number if you are interested in volunteering for the morning prayer during the 2012 session.

If you have the opportunity to come to Lincoln and visit the State Capitol Building, I welcome you to visit your District 16 office, Room 1529. Your interest and views on legislation is appreciated, and I do hope to hear from you on important policy proposals.

Serving you in the Nebraska Legislature to keep the good life growing,

Senator Lydia Brasch, District 16