As of February 18th, the climate of the Nebraska State Legislature is shifting. Committee hearings are winding down and floor debate is just starting. I am confidant a good number of the ten bills I introduced back in January will have a proper discussion on the floor as they move out of their various committees.

I want to thank all the constituents who came out to support my bills LB 643 and LB 644. LB 643 focused on individual liberties pertaining to an individual’s right to choose for themselves if they want to get vaccinated or not. LB 644 is a transparency bill that makes political subdivision mail out postcards informing the public if and when they will hold public hearings to discuss the potential of property tax increases. I always encourage the constituents of District 16 to reach out to my office and see ways they can stay informed or offer support for pending legislation.

Last week, I testified  for my bill LB 301, which will change drug schedules, penalties and adopt federal drug provisions under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. This bill would update the Nebraska Controlled Substances Schedule to conform to the federal Controlled Substances Schedule. It would also de-schedule FDA-approved drugs containing CBD for seizures, such as the brand named drug Epidolex.

On March 3^rd, I will testify on behalf of my 2^nd amendment bill that will change provisions relating to carrying a concealed weapon. This is a cleanup bill that would allow an individual to transport a firearm to and from a store without penalty. Example being, if an individual bought a firearm and was transporting it to his car or truck after purchase, there would be no penalty.

Ellie Stangl- Administrative Assistant and Committee Clerk for the Business and Labor Committee

Christopher Prosch- Legislative Aide

Benson Wallace- Legal Counsel for the Business and Labor Committee

The second week of February has been very energetic. As of February 11th, I have testified before the Health and Human Services Committee, the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, and the Revenue Committee for eight out of my ten bills. On Tuesday, I met with a number of constituents and colleagues to discuss various bill that will be coming up. Every bill is important and I greatly appreciate getting a broad spectrum of people’s thoughts and concerns before rendering my vote or deciding on what to move forward on in the Business and Labor Committee.

The rest of the week, I had two more committee hearings on Wednesday and Thursday. The first bill I had was on Wednesday, before the Revenue Committee. LB 644, better known as the Truth in Taxation bill, is a bill I feel particularly passionate about. Essentially, this bill is a transparency bill that would require a postcard to be mailed out to every taxpayer when a governing entity wants to raise their taxes. Also, a governing body that wants to raise your property taxes must hold a public hearing and demonstrate directly to the public why they want to raise property taxes. Other states have implemented the Truth-in-Taxation initiative and it has been a direct benefit to their high property tax issues. I’m not saying this will directly lower our property taxes, but this will make governing bodies more accountable to the taxpayers.

On Thursday, I testified in support of my bill LB 436. This bill will expand the scope of work the athletic trainers in the state. It would allow Athletic Trainers the ability to work on other patients outside the spectrum of just athletes, such as the elderly or ex-athletes. It has received support from the Nebraska Medical Association, Nebraska Chiropractic Physicians Association, the Occupational Therapy Association and the University of Nebraska. I believe in the state of Nebraska, athletic trainers have a wealth of knowledge and training that our healthcare system could benefit from and by stymieing them, we are not utilizing the full range of our healthcare workers.

It has been a great honor to be the Chair of the Business and Labor Committee and we have heard a wide variety of great bills that will have a significant impact on the business community of Nebraska. Additionally, my time with the Agriculture and Health and Human Services Committees has been of great importance. As we shift from committee hearings to floor debate, my staff and I will be prepared to fight for the issues that are important to District 16 and the rest of the state of Nebraska.

The first week of February has been incredibly active. As of February 5th, I testified for more than half of the bills I introduced before the Health and Human Services Committee and the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. As Chairmen of the Business and Labor Committee, Mondays are the scheduled time we hear testimony on the numerous bills that go through my committee.

On Tuesday I testified before the Transportation and Telecommunication Committee about LB581, a bill to modify the helmet law for motorcycle riders. This is a particular issue I have been working on for some time and have a strong passion for. The testimony I gave was well received and I appreciate constituents for their additional testimony of support, including former State Senator Dave Bloomfield.

I had two more committee hearings on Thursday. These two bills were an emphasis on government accountability, personal liberty, and parental rights. In the morning, LB 645 was heard which increases the fine or penalty for an elected official who signs off on a directed health measure and is caught breaking that mandate. In the afternoon, LB 643 was heard with an exuberant amount of supportive testimony. This bill would maintain ones right to accept or decline a mandatory vaccine during a declaration of emergency by the Governor. And finally, Friday morning I had my last hearing of the week with LB 435 that focuses on the continuation of election integrity for the state of Nebraska by watermarking mail-in ballots.

It was a very busy week and I appreciate all that my staff does for me and the great people of District 16. When not committee hearings, I am reaching out to my fellow colleagues to gain better understanding of the wide array of bills that are presented to me. I also take time to talk with and email back all the great Nebraskans who call my office or send an email. It is so important for the people of District 16 to reach out to me and my office for any thoughts, concerns or updates you may have. I encourage you to track bills of interest and to testify at the public hearings.

As I look ahead to next week, my staff and I will continue to prepare for the public hearings of the rest of the bills that I have introduced. There are 4 left and next week my Athletic Trainer Bill, LB 436, will go before the Health and Human Services Committee as well as my Property Tax Bill, LB 644, which will go before the Revenue Committee on Wednesday.

The first couple weeks of the 107th Legislature saw an uptick in activity as senators finalized bill introduction and committee hearings began.  As of January 19th, 500 bills have been introduced and counting – all during the first 12 days of the session.  Each of these bills will be routed to one of 14 standing committees and receive a public hearing where stakeholders will testify as proponents, opponents, or in a neutral capacity.  Public hearings are an extremely important part of the work we do in the Legislature.  Without input from our constituents, we will not have all of the information necessary to make the best decisions for our state.  I encourage you to track bills of interest and to testify at the public hearings.  If you need information about how or when to do so, please contact my office.

When I am not debating rules of the session on the floor or attending committee hearings, my schedule is full of meetings with constituents, government officials, and other individuals who will be resources as I represent everyone in District 16.

I will continue to serve on the Health and Human Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee. I am also pleased to announce I am the new Chairman of the Business and Labor Committee. This a tremendous responsibility to head up the issues surrounding labor rights that advance the cause of business and free market values all across Nebraska. On this committee, I will be able to ensure the state abides by sound policy implementation standards and the fiscal responsibility Nebraskans deserve. I believe one of my primary duties as your representative is to be a good steward of taxpayer money.

As I look ahead to next week, I’ll continue preparation for the public hearings of the ten bills I have introduced. The bills are of particular importance and I believe best reflect important issues that the voters of District 16 care about. The bills that have gone to committee hearings this week are LB 296 and LB437. Both of these bills were directed to the Health and Human Services Committee where I testified in support of both of them.