2ND SESSION OF THE 107TH LEGISLATURE 

Breaking the halfway point in the Unicameral this Session is a welcome, yet surprising reality. Next week will be our last week of committee hearings and we will go into full swing of floor debate. Short sessions create a very intense dynamic for the Legislature, demanding focus on Priority Bills, which means the most important legislation rises to the forefront. 

Pro-Life 

Three major pro-life bills were heard by the Legislative Judiciary Committee.

I introduced LB 933 – the Human Life Protection Act which provides that if or when Roe v. Wade is overturned, the performance of an abortion in Nebraska will be an illegal act. There is an exception for a medical emergency to preserve the life of the mother. No woman who obtains or seeks an abortion may be prosecuted. Senator Julie Slama introduced LB 781 the Heartbeat Act which prohibits an abortion once a fetal heartbeat can be detected. Senator Suzanne Geist introduced LB 1086 – Chemical Abortion Safety Protocol Act which improves safety and reporting requirements for chemical abortion and prohibits chemical abortion after 7 weeks gestation.

Tax Reform Bill

Senator Lou Ann Linehan’s LB939 advanced to Select this week. A Revenue Committee Bill, LB939 is an income and corporate tax reduction plan that would attract businesses and talent to Nebraska, helping meet the challenge posed by our current workforce shortage and opening the door to growth in the state. The bill will reduce the top individual income tax rate from 6.84% to 5.58% as follows: TY 2023 6.34% TY 2024 6.14% TY 2025 5.84% bringing consistency between the top rate for both individual and corporate income taxes. This bill could be historical in the efforts to bring tax reform to help grow and keep people in our great state. I foresee amendments coming and will keep you posted to what happens with LB939.

Ethanol 

The state’s ethanol stakeholders asked me to carry LB596, which became a Speaker Priority Bill. The bill creates the Nebraska Higher Blend Tax Credit Act for Nebraska retail dealers that sell and dispense E-15 or higher blends. The Act would become effective January 1, 2022. The ethanol industry in our state supports jobs for more than 1,400 Nebraskans and directly impacts our state’s economy by $5 billion. There are 25 ethanol plants who have the capacity to produce more than 2.5 billion gallons of ethanol– making Nebraska the No. 2 ethanol-producing state in the country. Ethanol production increases demand for field corn, which helps Nebraska’s agriculture thrive.

Elective Soil Education

Senator Tim Gragert’s LB925 also advanced to Select this week. The bill would require the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to provide technical and legal assistance to a producer learning community — a nonprofit, voluntary membership organization led by agricultural producers — to foster skills and share knowledge related to healthy soils management. The proposal also would require the DNR to divide the state into different regions representative of each area’s diversity of soils, topography, rainfall, cropping systems and other factors. I voted in favor of the bill because it does not require producers to take part, but rather simply encourages producers to weigh in on best practices. It is my perspective that, if passed, I would like to see the DNR cover the cost. I foresee some amendments coming on this bill. Stay tuned.

Future Farmers of America Week

Governor Ricketts has proclaimed February 19-26 as FFA Week in Nebraska. Designated as a national week in 1947, selected to celebrate the impact George Washington had on agriculture, FFA chapters across the country are using this week to help others in their school and community learn about FFA and agriculture education. In 2020-2021 there were 200 FFA Chapters in Nebraska, involving 229 FFA teachers and advisors and over 10,000 members strong.

I always appreciate each of you who intentionally stays informed and engaged in the Legislative process. If you have taken the time to reach out to my office, please understand that with over 1200 bills being heard over the next 60 days, I am not able to personally respond to all of the emails and calls I receive. Have a great week!