My personal priority bill, LB626–Nebraska Heartbeat Act–was heard on Thursday, April 27th. Ralston Senator Merv Riepe offered an amendment during select file debate that would replace the bill and instead change the state’s current 20-week post fertilization ban to a 12-week ban. After four hours of debate, Senator Albrecht filed a motion to invoke cloture, which ceases debate and forces a vote on the bill and any pending amendments. The motion failed on a 32-15 vote. Thirty-three votes were needed. (“Abortion restrictions stall after failed cloture vote”. Unicameral Update. April 27, 2023. http://update.legislature.ne.gov/?p=34258) Unfortunately we didn’t have the 33 votes needed for cloture. It was disappointing that those who said they would vote for cloture did not vote for cloture. I will continue to fight for the unborn in Nebraska.

Arbor Day was started by Nebraska news editor and resident of Nebraska City, J. Sterling Morton. He had an enthusiasm for trees and advocated strongly for individuals and civic groups to plant them. On January 4, 1872, Morton first proposed a tree planting holiday to be called “Arbor Day” at a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture. The celebration date was set for April 10, 1872. It was estimated that more than 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. Arbor Day was officially proclaimed in 1874 by Nebraska Governor Robert W. Furnas. In 1885, Arbor Day was named a legal state holiday in Nebraska. Today all 50 states celebrate Arbor Day. The most common date for the state observance is the last Friday in April–National Arbor Day, but may vary in some states to coincide with the best tree planting weather. (“History of Arbor Day” https://www.arborday.org/celebrate/history.cfm. May 1, 2023) I hope you were able to get out and plant a tree in honor of Arbor Day.

Bill Updates

• LB562–Adopt the E-15 Access Standard–This bill was introduced by Senator Myron Dorn and would, with some exceptions, require motor fuel retail dealers in Nebraska to advertise and sell E-15 from at least 50% of their qualifying dispenser, beginning in 2024. The Agriculture Committee amendment states the 50% requirement would apply if a retail dealer builds a new retail motor fuel site or replaces more than 80% of the motor fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure at an existing site. A site that only has one dispenser or sells an average of 300,00 gallons of gasoline per year or less would be exempt from the requirement if it files a statement with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. The committee amendment would also increase the credit from 5 cents to 8 cents for each gallon of E-15 sold during 2024. The credit would be 9 cents/gallon in 2025; 8 cents/gallon in 2026; 7 cents/gallon in 2027/ and 5 cents/gallon in 2028. It also would increase the annual limit on credits from $4 million to $5 million for those years. After eight hours of debate on general file cloture was called and the vote was 37-0. The bill then advanced to select file on a vote of 32-1. (“E-15 requirement for retailers advances”. Unicameral Update. April 26, 2023. http://update.legislature.ne.gov/?p=34235)
• LB227–Health Services package–This bill was expanded to include several additional measures, including a SNAP benefit extension, before advancing from Select File (2nd reading). Bills amended into LB227 during this debate was Senator Jen Day’s LB84 which would extend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to sunset October 1, 2026. Also amended into this bill was Senator Merv Riepe’s LB586 which would provide $3 million in general funds in fiscal year 2023-2024 and $3 million in FY 2024-2025 to incentivize and expand opportunities for nursing education and the training of nursing faculty. Another amendment, offered by Senator Lynne Walz, was LB286 which provides confidentiality to physicians who participate in a wellness program unless a peer coach determines that the physician’s condition constitutes a danger to public health and safety. Other bills amended into LB227 were LB261 sponsored by Senator Riepe; LB245 sponsored by Senator Walz; LB345 sponsored by Senator Christy Armendariz; and LB357 sponsored by Senator Walz. Following the adoption of the select file amendments, the bill was advanced to final reading by voice vote. (“Health services package expanded to include SNAP extension, advanced”. Unicameral Update. April 26, 2023. http://update.legislature.ne.gov/?p=34227)
• LB254–Legislative video archive bill–This bill was broadened and advanced from the second round of debate on April 25th. An amendment offered by Senator Megan Hunt would require the closed-captioning to be provided in English and Spanish (adopted 35-0). An amendment offered by Senator John Cavanaugh would include provisions of his bill, LB552. Following adoption of the amendments, LB254 was advanced to final reading by voice vote. (“Legislative video archive bill expanded, advanced”. Unicameral Update. April 26, 2023. http://update.legislature.ne.gov/?p=34239)

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.