On Friday, March 22nd, I had the opportunity to meet with the emergency managers and communities leaders of Dakota, Thurston, and Wayne Counties. We are so lucky in District 17 to have amazing leaders, law enforcement, and first responders that worked with the community to address the damage from the recent floods. The emergency managers of each county deserve special recognition for all the hard work they have done. Deanna Hagberg of Dakota County, Tom Perez of Thurston County, and Nic Kemnitz of Wayne County have done an amazing job and we are so blessed to have them.

It is possible that more flooding will come with weather changes this spring. Please be mindful of your surroundings and local weather reports. Refer to Nebraska 511 to stay up to date with road closures at http://511.nebraska.gov/ or by calling 511. The Nebraska State Patrol Highway Helpline is available 24 hours a day for motorists in need of assistance. Drivers can reach NSP by dialing *55 from any cell phone or 911 in an emergency.

On Wednesday, March 20th, I introduced LB 209 to the Judiciary Committee, which I designated as my personal priority bill this year. LB 209 will benefit all women who, after beginning the abortion pill process, want a second chance at choice. LB 209 would add a new section to Nebraska’s informed consent law to include information to help women access the abortion pill reversal process. The legislation simply requires that when a woman walks into an abortion facility, she must be given all the information she needs to make a truly informed choice about her pregnancy, including the information she needs to find help and reversal treatment if she happens to change her mind after taking the abortion pill mifepristone. In Nebraska, 55% of abortions are so-called “medication” abortions – those caused by abortion-inducing drugs. Recent studies have demonstrated it is possible to greatly increase the chance that a mother can save her baby if she begins a standardized abortion pill reversal protocol soon after ingesting the abortion pill, but only if she knows it is possible and where she can find medical help.

Wednesday, it was announced that two bills I am sponsoring have been designated as Speaker Priority bills: LB 222, Change the Volunteer Emergency Responders Incentive Act, and LB 595, Change Office of Dispute Resolution to Office of Restorative Justice and Dispute Resolution and change powers and duties of the office. The Agriculture Committee also designated LB 320, Change various provisions of the Pesticide Act and update federal references, which I introduced, as a committee priority bill. I look forward to working with my colleagues to passing these bills this year.

Live coverage of committee hearings and the full session of the Unicameral is available at www.netnebraska.org/capitol. This week will conclude committee hearings and next week we will begin full day debate.

It is of great importance that I hear from my constituents to effectively do my job as your voice in the Legislature. I encourage my constituents to reach out to me and I look forward to hearing from you.

402-471-2716

jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov