Winter has once again reared its head with two winter storms back to back in the same week. A huge thank you goes out to the road crews that go out to clear county roads and highways so those who need to travel can get where they need to safely. Another thank you goes out to the Emergency Managers in District 17 that keep us informed and stay on top of changing weather patterns to keep the public abreast of the changes. I would like to thank the police officers and first responders for all their work to help those in need and for their work during cold and snowy weather. Your work does not go unnoticed. I want to remind you that if it is recommended that you stay home and off the roads, you should heed the warnings so you and others can go home safely to your families. Just a few reminders as winter continues in the coming months:

• The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) recommends checking 511, the state’s travel information system, before traveling. Details include road conditions and traffic cameras, in addition to weather radar and more.
• Have an emergency preparedness kit for each vehicle.
• The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) reminds motorists to maintain speed in accordance with road conditions, allowing for extra stopping distance between vehicles and adding extra driving time. Give snowplows plenty of room, especially when they are actively clearing snow or spreading salt and sand. Motorists in need of assistance can call the NSP Highway Helpline at *55 or 800-525-5555. That number is answered 24 hours a day.

Rules
On Monday, January 8th, the Rules Committee held their public hearing on the proposed rules. The Committee then voted out 17 potential rule changes to be debated on the floor. Due to weather delays, we didn’t begin debating the rules until Thursday, January 11th. During the six hours of debate, we did adopt two less controversial changes in hopes of restricting tactics that many senators portrayed as stifling meaningful debate. Of the two rules passed, one would prohibit a second vote on the same day on a priority motion to kill a bill or recommit it to committee if such a motion had already come to a vote. Another change would allow cloture votes–to cut off debate–on legislative motions, instead of just bills. Rules debate will take place again on Tuesday, January 16th. Speaker Arch has set a deadline of January 19th to complete deliberations over rules changes. Time is limited this session as we only have 60 short days to consider dozens of bills. As of Friday, January 12th, there have been 379 bills introduced and bill introduction will finish on Wednesday, January 17th. (Hammel, P. (11 January, 2024). “Debate over legislative rules moves slowly on mostly noncontroversial changes”. Nebraska Examiner. https://shorturl.at/eopBJ.)

News from Governor Pillen’s office
Governor Pillen has declared January as ‘Human Trafficking Awareness Month’. The governor was joined by Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly, Attorney General Mike Hilgers, and State Patrol Superintendent Colonel John Bolduc for the proclamation signing. The event highlighted Nebraska’s efforts in the last year to combat human trafficking in Nebraska including the adoption of a new human trafficking hotline. “Together through all these efforts, we can uncover and stop human trafficking in our state and protect the dignity of human life. I would ask everyone to join me, Attorney General Hilgers, and Colonel Bolduc in this fight by becoming more informed, staying vigilant, and telling law enforcement when you see signs of human trafficking,” said Governor Pillen. Following the proclamation signing, Attorney General Hilgers highlighted the following from the newly published report by the Nebraska Human Trafficking Task Force (NHTTF):

• 2,700 people trained across a spectrum of agencies and organizations to recognize human trafficking and its impacts
• In 2022 alone, 13 defendants were convicted of sex trafficking charges\
• In 2022, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB1246, which includes a confidentiality provision for victims as well as a requirement for those convicted to register as sex offenders
  The new hotline number has been very effective in producing tips about human trafficking, an average of 12 calls per month since it went into effect.

The hotline number is 1-833-PLS-LOOK or 1-833-757-5665. It is manned 24 hours a day by a highly trained dispatcher. To learn more, go to https://ago.nebraska.gov/nebraska-human-trafficking-task-force. (Strimple, Laura and Gage, John. “Governor Pillen Declares January ‘Human Trafficking Awareness Month’. Governor Pillen Press Release. 10 January, 2023. https://shorturl.at/mntuP)

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