UNICAMERAL UPDATE
Senator Dave Bloomfield
January 27, 2012

Another week has gone by, with a variety of issues coming before the Nebraska Legislature. Several bills came before the Legislature during morning debates, and did not receive enough votes to advance further in the process. After eight hours of debate, sponsors of LB 418, a bill that would have changed provisions relating to robocalls (automated phone calls with a pre-recorded messages), did not receive the 33 votes needed to stop debate, which resulted in the bill being pulled from the agenda probably for the rest of the year. Senator Amanda McGill’s LB 304, a bill that would have allowed physicians to dispense medication (with immunity) to people who have sexually transmitted diseases AND their partners without ever seeing the partner or partners, failed to gather the necessary votes to advance to round two of debate. Senators spent time at the end of the week listening to debate on LB 276, the bill that would eliminate the death penalty and make the punishment for such crimes to be life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. I opposed LB 276 and in good conscience support the use of capital punishment when warranted. LB 276 did not advance after round one debate, and was removed from the agenda at the sponsor’s request.

The Health and Human Services Committee held a seven hour hearing (starting at 1:30 pm) on Thursday, January 26th. LB 961 would place all case management of child welfare services with the State of Nebraska, the entity who I believe has the legal responsibility for the children in its custody, and away from private entities who have this authority in certain parts of the state. The Health Committee introduced this bill after conducting interim hearings in locations throughout the state last year. Another bill (LB 957) was heard the same day. This bill would create the position of Inspector General to monitor all aspects of Nebraska’s child welfare system. I believe Nebraska’s current child welfare program has failed miserably, and that changes must be made to save the lives of the children in this system. Families of these children (both biological and foster) also deserve to be treated in a more timely and respectful way. These two bills are just part of a package of bills introduced by the Health and Human Services Committee in an attempt to change the child welfare system in Nebraska.

Days are sometimes long while the Legislature is in session, but they are usually busy and go by quickly. The day begins with meetings with groups and constituents between 7:00 – 9:00 am, then the Legislature usually convenes at 9:00 am and stays in session until noon. After lunch meetings with various groups or constituents, committee hearings begin daily at 1:30 pm. Committee hearings vary in length, but senators are encouraged stay and listen to testimony of any bill scheduled for hearings before their committees on that particular day. (Senators are also busy introducing bills in front of other committees holding hearings at the same time.) I have attended hearings under one hour in length, compared to this week’s Health Committee Hearing that lasted seven hours. At night, various groups schedule receptions and/or dinners, and try to meet with senators on various issues. Later in the session, when the hearings are completed, we will meet in the Legislative Chamber both morning and afternoon, and sometimes into the night.

On a personal note, I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to the family of Henry Trysla, who passed away on January 22nd. Henry loved his family and his community. He was an instrumental part of so many accomplishments in the South Sioux City area. Citizens of Northeast Nebraska owe Henry our gratitude for his many achievements as well as the example he provided by the way he lived his life. I will be introducing a Legislative Resolution to honor Henry Trysla’s life and acknowledge his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with Henry’s family and friends.

Unicameral Update
Senator Dave Bloomfield
January 20, 2012

It is good to live in Nebraska! While the rest of the nation struggles with unemployment in the range of 8.6%, we are blessed to be at about 4.2%.  While other states are considering tax increases, we are actually talking about possible tax cuts!  GO BIG RED!!! 

The first full week of morning debate and afternoon hearings has ended. Every session, the tenth day of that session is the last day for State Senators to introduce bills. A total of 468 (too many) bills were introduced this year. The first filibuster of the session is under way as well. The full Legislature has heard hours of debate on LB 418, nicknamed the robocall bill. LB 418, introduced by Senator John Nelson of Omaha, would change state regulations on robocalls.  (Robocalls are those automatically generated calls with a recorded message that we all get.) Currently, the Public Service Commission and the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission regulate these calls by requiring the sponsors to identify themselves and submit a script within 24 hours of placing a call. LB 418 would remove oversight by the Public Services Commission and leave the calls totally under the authority of the Accountability and Disclosure Commission.  Proponents claim that the current laws are burdensome and hard to follow because of the need to contact two different agencies with in the  government. Opponents of the bill say the current regulations are not burdensome and do not limit speech; the laws simply make people accountable for what they are saying. The debate will continue into next week.  I don’t know anyone who likes the robocalls, but they are protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. 

I introduced one of my three new bills on Wednesday before the Health and Human Services Committee. LB 723 was brought to me the the Department of Health and Human Services. It is a technical bill that brings Nebraska statutes back in line with federal law concerning the Nebraska Safe Drinking Water Act. It changes the term “small system” in the Act to “public water system serving fewer than 10,000 persons.” The Chief Medical Officer of the State (Dr. Joann Schaefer) testified in favor of the bill, and was the only other person offering testimony of LB 723. The Health Committee took no action on this bill to date.  My two other bills are concerned with issues pertaining to the Health and Human Services Department.

President Barack Obama announced a major decision that directly affects Nebraska this week. The Department of State, with the backing of the President, denied TransCanada’s request for a permit to build the Keystone Pipeline. In a written statement, the President said a February 21st deadline placed upon his Administration prevented a full assessment of the pipeline’s impact on the health and safety of the American people as well as our environment. TransCanada has said that it will submit a new permit application and will continue to work with the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality to find an alternative route through Nebraska. The Company has also said they still hope to have a pipeline in place and in service by 2014. I am personally disappointed that the Keystone Pipeline was not given a permit. This issue has become and remains a “political football”, it is too bad that presidential politics has gotten in the way of job creation and an increased supply of crude oil.  There is still hope, however, that Nebraska will not miss out totally on this opportunity.  The pipeline though delayed, is not necessarily completely dead.  

Unicameral Update
Senator Dave Bloomfield
January 13, 2012

The Pledge of Allegiance will be recited on a weekly basis in the Nebraska Legislative Chamber. I was honored to be the first State Senator to lead my colleagues in saying this oath last Monday. Last year, I asked the leadership of the Legislature if we could begin each day with the Pledge of Allegiance. Nothing was decided during session, so I asked again during the interim to consider this request. An agreement was reached to begin each legislative week with the Pledge of Allegiance and then make a decision on whether to keep saying the oath on a weekly basis, change to a daily basis, or stop it all together. My colleagues, including Speaker Mike Flood, have been supportive of this change in our weekly schedule. I am hopeful that it will become a daily event next year, and appreciate the opportunity to make this important change. (On a similar note, Senator Tony Fulton of Lincoln, who will lead the Pledge on Tuesday, January 20th, introduced LB 990, which would require public schools to display the flag of the United States, and recite the Pledge of Allegiance every day school is open and in session. I support this legislation.)

This week consisted of bill introduction, discussion of legislative rules, and the Governor’s State of the State Address. Two hundred ninety bills have been introduced so far this year, and there are three more days of bill introduction this session. At the beginning of each year, members are given an opportunity to change our rules that govern legislative procedures. One of the major changes debated last week was whether State Senators should be allowed to use their laptops during legislative hearings. Many senators spoke against this proposal, saying they did not want Nebraska citizens to feel as if they were not heard when they testified on legislation. No vote was taken on this change, as it was withdrawn after a lengthy discussion.

Governor Dave Heineman gave his State of the State Address to the Nebraska Legislature. This is the Governor’s opportunity to outline some of the key legislation that he would like to see passed during the upcoming session. It is also an opportunity for him to discuss his budget proposals. The Governor has proposed a number of tax cuts to be implemented this session. I am hopeful that we can accomplish many of them.

One important bill that was just introduced is LB 968. Senator Annette Dubas of Fullerton introduced the bill, which would eliminate sales and use taxes on the sale, lease or rental of repair or replacement parts for agricultural machinery or equipment used in commercial agriculture. I believe this is an important change, and I will be a co-signer of this legislation. For too many years, Nebraska agriculture producers and implement dealers have had a disadvantage compared to surrounding states who do not have to deal with this tax. I will keep you informed on any progress made on this bill.

You will also find my name attached to several bills coming out of the Health and Human Services Committee.  We are attempting to improve a system that has for too long been “out of whack.”  I will be mentioning these bills as the year progresses. These are, I think, the most important decisions that will be made by your legislators this year.  These will deal not just with the quality of life for our most vulnerable citizens, but in some cases the very difference between life and death.  This is not an area where we can make decisions based on just saving tax dollars.  I unashamedly ask for your prayers for wisdom not only for me, but for all of us, as we deal with this vital issue.

Next week, legislative hearings begin in the afternoons at 1:30 pm every day. Mornings consist of debate on the Legislative floor. You can find information on the Legislature, committees, proposed bills, and even watch morning debate and committee hearings on-line. The websites with this information are:  www.nebraskalegislature.gov and http://www.netnebraska.org/publicmedia/capitol.html .

Unicameral Update
Senator Dave Bloomfield
January 6, 2012

The Nebraska Legislature is back in session. Forty-eight (Senator Utter’s untimely death leaves not only a vacant chair, but also a huge hole in the heart of your legislature) state senators met in Lincoln on Wednesday, January 4th, to introduce bills, and prepare for legislative hearings and floor debate. During the first three days of the session, 173 bills were introduced. All of these bills will be assigned to legislative committees and each will be given a public hearing. Committees than have the option of (1) advancing a bill to the floor for further debate, (2) killing a bill, or (3) taking no action on a bill and holding it in committee.

I have introduced one bill so far. The Nebraska Department of Health asked me to introduce a bill on their behalf. Their bill, LB 723, alters the Nebraska Safe Drinking Water Act by changing a definition of small (water) system. The federal government no longer uses the words “small system” for water systems serving fewer than ten thousand people The Environmental Protection Act (EPA) calls such systems “public water systems.” LB 723, if passed, would put Nebraska statutes back in line with federal law by using the same terminology for the same water systems. I do not anticipate much, if any, controversy over this bill.  I am not a big believer in introducing bills just to say that I introduced one.  I have always thought that there were too many bills introduced each year.  I haven’t seen anything yet to change my mind.

The legislative process is important because it affects everyone’s life through the bills that are passed and become laws. I encourage each of you to watch floor debate when possible, either on-line http://www.netnebraska.org/publicmedia/capitol.html or through Nebraska Educational Television. Committee hearings, which occur in the afternoons during the first half of the session, are also broadcast at the above on-line site.

After one full year as your representative in the Nebraska Legislature, I can tell you that it is a steep learning curve to understand the way in which an idea becomes a bill and then moves from the committee hearing to the floor, and through three rounds of debate before passage. Information on legislative bills can be found at: www.nebraskalegislature.gov . I welcome your thoughts on proposals as they first move to the various committees. I only have a vote on the following three committees on which I am a member: General Affairs, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services. My contact information is:dbloomfield@leg.ne.gov . My phone number is: 402 – 471 – 2716. My mailing address is: Senator Dave Bloomfield, District #17, State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509 – 4604. I look forward to hearing from you.