This week was the first week of full day hearings. It made for some long days. Many bills were hot topics and had many testifiers coming to share their viewpoints for or against the bills being heard.

Bill Updates:

• LB535 (Voter ID) was heard on February 1st. Due to the voters supporting a change to the Nebraska Constitution in November, the Legislature is tasked with trying to figure out the best way to determine what type of photo identification will be acceptable. Senator Julie Slama introduced LB535 laying out the requirements for a valid form of photographic identification, including such document must:
  • Be issued by the U. S. government, the state of Nebraska, or a Native American tribe or band recognized by the U. S. government;
  • Show the individual’s name, which must conform to the name on the individual’s voter registration record;
  • Show a photograph or digital image of the individual to whom the document was issued; and
  • Not be expired, if an expiration date is included.
  • Senator Slama brought an amendment to the hearing that would replace the bill. Among the changes included in the amendment is a requirement that a voter wishing to vote by mail present their photo ID to a notary public, who then would stamp the envelope requesting a vote by mail ballot. The state would cover the cost of the notary’s services. (portions of this taken from Unicameral Update http://update.legislature.ne.gov/?p=33264)
• LB626 (The Nebraska Heartbeat Act) was heard on February 1st as well. It was a long six hour hearing. This will be my personal priority bill and I feel confident that it will pass out of committee and go to the floor for debate.

Upcoming Bills:
This upcoming week I have three bills being heard in committee.

• LB442 (Livestock Friendly County Funding) will be heard in the Agriculture Committee on Tuesday, February 7th at 9:30 a.m. This bill proposes legislation to allocate $2 million dollars from the general fund to the Livestock Growth Act Cash Fund administered by the Department of Agriculture to provide funding to counties who participate in the Livestock Friendly County Program. Dakota, Thurston, and Wayne Counties are considered Livestock Friendly Counties and would potentially benefit from this program if this bill moves out of committee.
• LB636 (Natural Gas/Propane Bill) will be heard in the Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, February 8th at 1:30 p.m. This bill allows Nebraskans to continue to choose the energy utilities of their choice.
• LB440 (Bonding Authority bill) clarifies that the special tax (building fund) under §79-10,120, could not be used to build a new school building, add additional footage to an existing school building, or purchase sites upon which new buildings will be located. School districts looking to use the building fund to build new buildings, add additional square footage to an existing school building, or purchase land for the site of a new building, must receive approval through a vote of its citizens at a general or special election under §79-1098.

We have now completed 22 days in our 90 day session. There is much work to be done as we continue moving forward in this legislative session.

As always, I invite you to let me know your thoughts, ideas, concerns, or suggestions by contacting me by calling (402) 471-2716 or emailing me at jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov.