This column covers legislative days 8 through 11.

Jan. 27, 2020 – Lincoln, NE

Greetings from the Capitol as we end the third week of the 2020 Legislative session.  Sixty new measures were introduced Thursday, January 23^rd, the final day to introduce bills this session bringing the total number of new measures introduced this session to 496.  I’ve introduced six new bills this session – LB 1043, LB 1044, LB 1105, LB 1211, LB 1212, and LB 1213.

When I was considering running for the Nebraska State Legislature, and when I began my campaign, I was determined to do something about our high property taxes.  During my first year in the legislature, I came to understand that if we expect to do anything meaningful about property taxes we needed to think bigger.  Politicians have known Nebraska’s property taxes are high for years, and yet they continue to rise.  That’s why I introduced a series of bills, LB 1211, LB 1212, and LB 1213 this year.

LB 1211 is a simple bill that would require political subdivisions to begin the budget process by determining how much tax revenue they have to work with.  Any family or business owner in our state understand that you cannot spend more than you bring in.  When families or business owners sit down to determine their budgets, they first determine how much they expect to make that year, and then budget accordingly.  Our local governments often determine their budgets before determining how much money they expect to receive through taxes, raising taxes accordingly to fund the proposed budget.  LB 1211 simply requires that political subdivisions budget in the same manner that families and businesses across the state do.

LB 1212 is a bill requiring political subdivisions to give notice when their expected tax revenue will increase from the year before.  It also requires that if the revenue will increase from the year before, the subdivision must automatically lower its levy so that revenue does not increase without a specific vote of the officials governing that subdivision.  Governing bodies should not automatically receive more revenue from taxes than the year before, but instead must take deliberate action to increase revenue.  I anticipate making additional changes to LB 1212 before its public hearing.

LB 1213 is a bill I’ve worked on all interim.  I’ve consulted many stakeholders throughout the district to develop a solid policy, though I expect it will also go through some changes before its public hearing.  This bill is an effort to bring tax reform to Nebraska through changes in Nebraska’s property, sales, and income taxes.  Any serious effort to provide long-term tax relief for Nebraskans must be focused on reform and modernization, including of those taxing entities that will be affected by such changes.

This bill is tax reform, but it is also reform of our school funding system.  Our current funding model, TEEOSA, has become unsustainable and inappropriate for a term-limited legislature to manage and, in my opinion, unfair for most of the schools in District 16.  LB 1213 abolishes TEEOSA and replaces it with the New School Aid Act, providing per-pupil funding that ensures every public school student in the state receives state funding.  In the bill are special allowances for poverty, sparsity, English language learners, and incentives to limit spending increases and consolidate administrative costs.

I’m very excited about these bills and hope to start a conversation about per-pupil student funding and tax reform in Nebraska.  As always you can contact me at bhansen@leg.ne.gov or contact the office to speak with my Administrative Assistant, Ellie Stangl, or my Legislative Aide, Jacob Campbell.  To read all introduced legislation please visit nebraskalegislature.gov. You may watch the live stream of the session when available at netnebraska.org.

This column covers legislative days 4 through 7.

Jan. 17, 2020 – Lincoln, NE

The first full week of this year’s short legislative session brought with it the start of full days of debate and many more introduced bills.  Unlike a long session where there is little to debate until newly introduced bills are able to go through the committee process and receive a public hearing, short sessions start quickly with debate on bills that were carried over from the previous year.  By doing so we’re able to get much more work done in the first few days of the session.

We began quickly as senators debated LB 147, introduced by Senator Groene of North Platte, a bill allowing teachers the ability to use physical force for the purpose of protecting their classrooms and students.  The bill was supported generally by teachers across the state but was opposed by many administrators and other organizations. After three hours of debate, the bill failed to advance to Select File. Senator Groene must show he has enough votes to advance the bill for it to receive another round of debate.

LB 153, introduced by Senator Brewer of Gordon and prioritized by Senator Lowe of Kearney, would exempt 50% of military retirement pay from the Nebraska state income tax.  I cosigned the bill last year to support Veterans and allow them to keep more of their own money. In fact, I’d like everyone in the state to keep more of their own money and will continue to work towards that goal during my time in the legislature.  This bill had the support of other senators who are typically uninterested in income tax reform and moved forward on a 46-0 vote.   

Governor Ricketts delivered his State of the State address Wednesday morning, outlining his budget priorities and areas of importance for this session. The Governor thanked the many, many Nebraskans who stepped up with courage and bravery during the March flood and in the months afterward.  His recommendations for this session include roughly $500 million in property tax relief over the next three years and $59.2 million towards disaster relief projects.

One of my carryover bills from the last session, LB 381, came up for debate Thursday and advanced with 40 ‘yay’ votes and 0 ‘nay’ votes.  The bill would allow the state to move to a “per-diem” expense reimbursement method, effectively saving hundreds of hours a year that we currently spend on processing reimbursement requests.  These hundreds of hours could then be redirected towards more valuable work responsibilities, helping to make our state agencies more efficient and cost-effective.

Committee hearings will begin this next week and Senators have until January 23rd to introduce bills for this session.  My staff and I have been working on the final drafts of a few bills I’ll be introducing next week. 

As always you can contact me at bhansen@leg.ne.gov or contact the office to speak with my Administrative Assistant, Ellie Stangl, or my Legislative Aide, Jacob Campbell.  To read all introduced legislation please visit nebraskalegislature.gov. You may watch the live stream of the session when available at netnebraska.org

This column covers legislative days 1 through 3.

Happy New Year to everyone in Legislative District 16!  I hope you and your families had a terrific 2019 and are looking forward to great things in 2020.  The 60-day legislative session kicked off Wednesday, January 8th in Lincoln with big issues on the agenda for the short session including property taxes, business incentives, and flood relief. 

This session starts my second year in service in the Unicameral.  My staff and I worked hard over the interim period and will be picking up where we left off the last session as well as bringing new bills this session.  Four of the bills I introduced last session – LB 312 regarding Dental Hygienists, LB 321 regarding the Department of Agriculture, LB 378 regarding the motorcycle helmet law, and LB 381 regarding per-diem reimbursement for state agencies have all been carried over from the last session.  I expect LB 381 to make some progress this year with progress on the other bills depending on how the schedule advances for this session.

Over the interim, I’ve worked with leaders in the area to put together a tax reform bill.  Property tax relief has been a topic of discussion in the Unicameral for quite some time, but meaningful relief has been hard to come by.  I hope to start working towards tax reform this session through changes in our sales tax, income tax, and budgeting process in addition to changes in how we fund our public schools.  Nebraskans have been patient, but the reality is that many families, farmers, and businesses are struggling to make ends meet because of a tax system that is outdated. We need tax reform, and I plan to provide that leadership.

The Health and Human Services Committee, of which I am a part of, will take up the effort of addressing Youth Rehabilitation in the state after examining some of the shortcomings of our system over the interim session.  We held many committee hearings over the Summer and Fall, listening to Department of Health and Human Services officials and other leaders of rehabilitation service providers. This has been a complex issue that will continue to be discussed in this session. 

As of adjournment on Friday over 200 bills and resolutions were introduced in the first three days of session.  You can view all of the introduced legislation on the Unicameral’s website with the link provided below. 

Looking forward to next week, Governor Ricketts will present his State of the State on Wednesday, January 15th offering a review of the previous year and laying out some of his goals for this session and beyond in 2020.  I continue to work on the final drafts of bills I’ll be introducing this session – senators have until January 23rd, the 10th day of the session, to introduce new legislation. 

As always you can contact me at bhansen@leg.ne.gov or contact the office to speak with my Administrative Assistant, Ellie Stangl, or my Legislative Aide, Jacob Campbell.  To read all introduced legislation please visit nebraskalegislature.gov. You may watch the live stream of the session when available at netnebraska.org. 

This column covers legislative days 83 and 84.

The final day of the 2019 legislative session came to a close on Friday, May 31^st.  Originally scheduled for 90 days, the session ended early and comprised of 84 days total.  Of note was the passage of LB 209 on Final Reading Thursday, May 30^th.  This bill would require information be given to patients seeking an abortion in Nebraska on how to find medical assistance to support a viable pregnancy after taking the first of two pills required for a medication abortion.  Passing this bill was a long and hard fight, but one that was well worth it.  By passing the bill we ensure that women who begin a medication abortion and change their mind during the process are able to find the necessary medical assistance to maintain a viable pregnancy.  Throughout the session, we heard so many heart-wrenching stories from women who wish they would have had information like this – now they will be given the opportunity to avoid something they may regret.

Before adjourning, we took up a motion to override a Gubernatorial veto of Senator Wayne’s LB 492.  This bill creates a Regional Metropolitan Transit Authority with the ability to levy property tax.  The RMTA, a new body of government, gives Omaha and the surrounding area the authority to levy property taxes in order to provide public transit expansion.  Though the bill is limited to the Omaha area, those in urban areas have not been immune to rising property taxes.  Omaha citizens are in need of public transport, but it is inappropriate to continue raising property taxes to pay for additional bodies of government.  We must provide property tax relief, rather than create new programs and services that worsen the problem.  That’s why I voted to sustain the Governor’s veto.

My first session as your senator was very educational.  I was a bit disappointed that we adjourned early when we could have, and should have, worked the remaining six days in the session debating and discussing property tax, even if that debate continues into the next session.  Though we did accomplish much, of the 739 bills introduced 294 were passed, I gained some perspective for the next few years.  As a body, we could be more productive with our time during the session.  Too much time is spent discussing hurt feelings and not enough time is spent discussing sound policy required to help the citizens of Nebraska.  Senators must work together to provide solutions rather than focusing on our differences.  We were successful in providing $102 million more in property tax relief this biennium through the property tax credit relief fund but our ag producers need even more substantial relief.  After this session, I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands and intend to work on a property tax/school funding bill over the interim providing a solution to the reliance on property taxes for school funding.

This will be my final column for the session, but I may write from time to time as issues arise during the interim.  If you have questions or comments, please contact the District 16 office at (402)-471-2728 to speak with my Administrative Assistant, Ellie Stangl; or my Legislative Aide, Jacob Campbell.  You can also email me at bhansen@leg.ne.gov.  To follow along with the session please visit nebraskalegislature.gov or you may watch the live stream when available at netnebraska.org

This column covers legislative days 79 through 82.

The last full week of this year’s legislative session was very eventful.  After a recess day on the 20^th, we worked late into the night Tuesday and Wednesday, adjourning around 11:45 pm Wednesday.  Though these were long days, I’m happy we worked so late.  Nebraskans throughout the state expect us to work long and hard, passing sensible laws that advance their opportunity to live the American dream and laws that steward taxpayer resources well.  When we conclude the session next week I hope to say we have given it our best this session.

We debated a number of major proposals last week, including LB 657 to adopt the Nebraska Hemp Farming Act.  This bill was introduced by Senator Wayne of Omaha and prioritized by Senator Brandt of Plymouth.  No opponents testified in the bill’s public hearing and it was supported widely during floor debate.  I’ve received many phone calls and emails from constituents in the district who support industrial hemp as a new crop for our farmers and see it as an opportunity to expand agricultural capacity in the state.  I was happy to support the bill on the floor.

Another bill supported widely by senators was LB 519 introduced by Senator Slama of District 1.  This bill extends the statute of limitations for those who commit the offense of labor or sex trafficking or benefit from labor or sex trafficking.  Awareness of human trafficking in Nebraska has increased over the past few years as efforts like this bill are discussed more.  With I-80 running right through the heart of the state, Nebraska is used by traffickers to transport victims across the country.  Omaha and Grand Island are two of the biggest hubs for traffickers in Nebraska.  By extending the statute of limitations on traffickers we are better prepared to bring them to justice.

Many have asked about property tax relief.  Senators were successful in securing an additional $51 million in property tax relief by allocating $275 million to the property tax relief credit fund after that allotment was initially allocated elsewhere in the budget.  This comes after no additional money being directed towards the fund last year.  , LB 289, the major proposal to provide property tax relief and change how public schools are funded, did not receive enough votes to come back to the agenda for debate this year.  I’ve said it throughout the session and before while I was walking the district and talking to voters – Nebraskans need meaningful property tax relief.  Though the increases to the credit fund do accomplish some level of relief, it is not sufficient for the challenges that our ag producers are facing.  Nebraska can support its public schools sufficiently, providing education for our children, while also providing meaningful property tax relief.  I’ve committed to studying this problem closely throughout the interim and plan to introduce a bill of my own next year.  Due to the way our public schools are funding, meaningful property tax relief can only happen if we make changes to how our schools are funded.

If you have questions or comments, please contact the District 16 office at (402)-471-2728 to speak with my Administrative Assistant, Ellie Stangl; or my Legislative Aide, Jacob Campbell.  You can also email me at bhansen@leg.ne.gov.  To follow along with the session please visit nebraskalegislature.gov or you may watch the live stream when available at netnebraska.org

This column covers legislative days 75 through 78.

Last week in the Unicameral was another with plenty of heavy lifting.  We took votes on the state’s budget, a bill relating to the Department of Corrections, and a bill relating to human trafficking, passing all three.  We also debated bills relating to tax incentives for businesses, opportunity scholarships, and medical cannabis, taking no vote on those bills.  After a long week of intense debate, I was thankful to come home and spend some time working in my chiropractic clinic and with my family.

On May 14^th we debated the state’s $9.3 billion budget.  I and other senators took some issue with the size of the budget and some of the things we are spending money on.  Unfortunately, we were blocked from voicing our concerns. A group of senators took enough time that we were unable to debate a meaningful amendment brought by Senator Clements of Elmwood that would have decreased our overall spending.  This effort to delay backfired a bit as a cloture vote that would have passed the budget through Select File without discussing Sen. Clements’ amendment failed.  I and other senators were given the opportunity to voice our concerns when the budget returned on May 15^th.  I proposed a plan that would decrease spending by 1 penny for every dollar spent, effectively and efficiently reducing the size of government. I also expressed my concerns that the budget did not prioritize meaningful property tax for Nebraskans, specifically ag producers.  Nebraska’s constitution requires a balanced budget, so at the end of debate we upheld our constitutional duty, voting to advance the budget for final consideration.

The newly proposed business tax incentive program also came up for debate on May 15^th.  Tax incentive programs are controversial topics in Nebraska because the last few attempts at creating a plan that would contribute to Nebraska’s economy have ended up costing the state more than they were worth.  Though LB 720 does better support small business growth more than previous programs, I believe it should do more.  To qualify for incentives at the lowest level, companies must create 5 new jobs or invest $1 million.  For most businesses, especially rural businesses, this is simply out of reach.  Perhaps the plan should be changed to incorporate incentives for creating 3 new jobs, this would be more in alignment with the reality for most businesses; setting a substantial but attainable goal. The bill did not come up for a vote but is likely to return before adjournment.  Nebraska’s current program is set to expire in 2020.

The Speaker of the Legislature announced on May 16^th that we will be ending this session on May 31^st rather than the originally scheduled June 6^th.  According to the Speaker, we have enough time between now and May 31^st to execute our responsibilities for the rest of the session.  Many of you have asked about LB 289 and property tax relief.  I am in support of bringing the bill back for more debate, but at the time of writing this column, it remains unclear whether the bill will have enough support to return this year.

If you have questions or comments, please contact the District 16 office at (402)-471-2728 to speak with my Administrative Assistant, Ellie Stangl; or my Legislative Aide, Jacob Campbell.  You can also email me at bhansen@leg.ne.gov.  To follow along with the session please visit nebraskalegislature.gov or you may watch the live stream when available at netnebraska.org

This column covers legislative days 71 through 74.

Greetings to all in District 16 and the surrounding area.  Another week has passed in the Unicameral as we near the end of the session.  As of May 10^th, only 15 days remain in the 2019 legislative session.  The past week was one of the more intense weeks we’ve had this year as we took up issues of property tax relief, education funding, and a pro-life bill that went to a cloture vote in order to pass.

LB 209, a bill introduced by Senator Albrecht of District 17 that I cosponsored, would require doctors to give proper informed consent in regards to medication abortions, which are how a majority of abortions are performed in Nebraska today. Doctors would be required to inform the patient seeking an abortion that there is the possibility of a reversal medication after the initial medication has been administered.  This bill came under attack from others in the legislature who claim it supports faulty science.  I, along with other co-signers of the bill, vigorously defended the scientific studies supporting the bill and the underlying reason it should be passed.  Any woman who chooses to undergo a medication abortion should have all the information presented to her.  If putting the correct information into the hands of a conflicted woman saves one innocent child’s life, it will have been worth it.  I am incredibly honored to have supported and defended this bill that has the potential to be literally life-giving to Nebraskans across the state.

Other bills hotly debated last week include LB 289 – the Revenue Committee’s proposal for property tax relief and basic education funding.  I’ve received many calls, texts, and emails about LB 289 from constituents in the district.  Some passionately support the bill and others oppose it.  I’ve decided to keep my mind open and listen to the thoughts and opinions of constituents and the arguments of other senators before making a decision on the bill.  Please continue to reach out to me and my office; your input helps me do my job as your representative in Lincoln.  LB 289 received 3 hours of debate last week and will likely receive another round of debate before coming to a vote.

Finally, on Friday, May 10^th we took action on 30 bills.  One of my bills, LB 260 introduced to eliminate a requirement for the state to hire a Recovery Audit Contractor, or RAC, to audit Medicaid claims advanced. This bill will make our state more efficient and allow it to better allocate resources regarding Medicaid.  This is a step in the right direction in resolving some of the Medicaid issues our providers are facing across the state.

If you have questions or comments, please contact the District 16 office at (402)-471-2728 to speak with my Administrative Assistant, Ellie Stangl; or my Legislative Aide, Jacob Campbell.  You can also email me at bhansen@leg.ne.gov.  To follow along with the session please visit nebraskalegislature.gov or you may watch the live stream when available at netnebraska.org

This column covers legislative days 67 through 70.

It was a big week in the legislature as my priority bill, LB 304 passed Final Reading on April 29^th and was approved by the Governor on May 1^st.  The bill allows producers to sell from their homes or by mail the same foods that could previously be sold at farmers markets and other events.  I named this my priority bill because of the potential for increased or new business it will bring to many families around the state.  When I considered how popular farmers markets are, and how well they support entrepreneurship and individual enterprise, I saw how LB 304 could springboard these small producers into potential new businesses.  I want to thank Senator Crawford of Bellevue for introducing the bill and for working with me to get it over the finish line.

The Revenue Committee released its main proposal for property tax relief last week.  Senators and staff were briefed May 2^nd and will be briefed again May 7^th on the details of the proposal.  By raising the state sales tax, eliminating sales tax exemptions, and changing how the state funds public schools the bill claims to provide up to a 20% reduction in property taxes.  I want to see how the sales tax increases will affect the budget of everyday Nebraskans before making a decision on the bill.  One thing is for sure though – there will be some heated debate when the bill comes before the legislature.

LB 209 introduced by Senator Albrecht to require information be given to women choosing to undergo a medication abortion was debated twice last week.  Medication abortions require that women take a combination of two pills, the second of which is taken a few days after the first.  Under LB 209, doctors administering the abortion pills would be required to inform patients that, once the first pill is taken, there still may be time to stop the abortion if she were to change her mind.  This information would direct the patient to a hotline where she can get information about halting the abortion and be directed to a medical professional who can help.

I spoke often about the “informed consent” part of this bill on the floor.  As a physician, I know how incredibly important it is for patients to know about all of their options before and after treatment.  A woman’s decision to have an abortion is life-changing in many ways.  If she were to decide to have an abortion, and then change her mind during the process, it is imperative that she know options exist to help her stop the abortion.  This is part of a physician’s duty of informed consent, and in this case, could literally save a life.  I was proud to support and defend the bill on the floor.

If you have questions or comments, please contact the District 16 office at (402)-471-2728 to speak with my Administrative Assistant, Ellie Stangl; or my Legislative Aide, Jacob Campbell.  You can also email me at bhansen@leg.ne.gov.  To follow along with the session please visit nebraskalegislature.gov or you may watch the live stream when available at netnebraska.org

This column covers legislative days 63 through 66.

I hope you’re all enjoying the Spring weather, the return of green grass, and the budding and blooming of the trees as we approach the end of April and move into May.  Friday, April 26^th was recognized as Arbor Day, a day to recognize and support the planting of trees.  The first Arbor Day originated in Nebraska City in 1872 and it’s estimated that 1 million trees were planted on that day.  Although Arbor Day is recognized as a state holiday, the legislature was still in session, passing bills on final reading, advancing them to the governor for his signature.

The Education, Retirement, and Revenue Committees held a joint hearing for property tax relief on Wednesday, April 24^th.  The hearing began at 4:00 pm and lasted well into the night.  In all, 60 testifiers voiced their support, opposition, or neutral testimony on LB 289 introduced by Senator Linehan.  LB 289 has become the primary focus for property tax relief this session, though it and other property tax relief proposals are still held in the Revenue Committee.  There has been much discussion amongst senators and in the media about the bill’s intent to raise sales taxes and eliminate sales tax exemptions.  Any bill brought out of committee must deliver meaningful and substantial tax relief for Nebraskans.  If the Revenue Committee members cannot agree on a bill to do that, it is unlikely that whatever proposal advances will receive enough support on the floor to pass.  Though I do not serve on any of the committees involved in the hearing, I watched the entire hearing on NETV.  I have decided to withhold judgment on the bill until final changes are made and the language is presented to the full legislature for consideration.

On Thursday, April 25^th the legislature debated a bill that would eliminate the death penalty in Nebraska.  After hours of debate, the bill received 17 of the 25 votes needed to move to the next round of debate.  This bill comes just a few years after Nebraska voters overwhelmingly supported the death penalty in the 2016 elections.   In Cuming, Burt, and Washington counties, voters chose to uphold the death penalty by margins of 70%, 72%, and 73%, respectively.  I stood with the vast majority of District 16 and 25 other senators who voted to keep the death penalty as an option for justice in Nebraska.

If you have questions or comments, please contact the District 16 office at (402)-471-2728 to speak with my Administrative Assistant, Ellie Stangl; or my Legislative Aide, Jacob Campbell.  You can also email me at bhansen@leg.ne.gov.  To follow along with the session please visit nebraskalegislature.gov or you may watch the live stream when available at netnebraska.org

This column covers legislative days 55 through 58.

Greetings to all in District 16 and the surrounding region.  I hope you’ve all had a meaningful and reflective Easter weekend.  Easter is a time we come together as family, friends, and set aside time as individuals to reflect upon the gift of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Celebrating the Easter holiday is a needed reminder that our hope is not in Washington D.C. or even in Lincoln, NE.  Our hope comes from something far greater than we can ever imagine.

A bill that received a fair amount of publicity last week was LB 693 introduced by Sen. Halloran of Hastings.  The bill gives the Nebraska Attorney General authority to pursue action against so-called “spoofers” who use fake phone numbers to make fraudulent calls.  This is an issue that almost everyone in Nebraska with a cell phone has experienced.  Scam telephone calls used to display on caller id with obvious fake or fishy phone numbers.  Scammers have begun using phone numbers with Nebraska area codes to initiate the call, making it much more likely that people will answer the phone.  Though this bill will not stop the calls from happening, it does allow criminal proceedings against those who make the calls.  The federal government is the only place where changes can be made stopping the phone calls themselves.

The Revenue Committee announced a plan for property tax relief during a press conference last Wednesday.  The proposal is reported to provide $540 million in property tax relief through a sales tax increase, changes in education aid, and elimination of some sales tax exemptions.  A hearing on the plan is scheduled for Wednesday, April 24^th and is open to the public.  As I’ve said in past columns, property tax is the reason I ran for the legislature.  I’m excited to review the Revenue Committee’s plan and hear feedback from both proponents and opponents of the bill before making a decision on it.  Ag producers desperately need tax relief, and any measure that is brought before the legislature must be able to get enough votes for passage.  We cannot afford to let property tax relief slip through our fingers another year, pushing it off to address in future legislative sessions.  As senators, we must be thoughtful and intentional in our approach to tax relief bringing a solution that is substantive and meaningful but also being a good steward of taxpayer dollars.  With roughly 30 days left in the session this year, we must have a sense of urgency in addressing this problem.

If you have questions or comments, please contact the District 16 office at (402)-471-2728 to speak with my Administrative Assistant, Ellie Stangl; or my Legislative Aide, Jacob Campbell.  You can also email me at bhansen@leg.ne.gov.  To follow along with the session please visit nebraskalegislature.gov or you may watch the live stream when available at netnebraska.org