Many days, debate about legislation here at the Unicameral deals with “everyday” topics like locksmiths, bridges, school lunches and distributing funds to townships. But other days we deal with the major issues of our time, such as free speech, gambling regulations, health care and juvenile justice. This is a small sampling of bills that are on the agenda.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, our main concern is the budget. The impact of state funding reaches far beyond dollar amounts as it touches our lives on a daily basis, affecting everything from individual citizens to our state infrastructure and vital services. We take our job in committee very seriously, studying each request and weighing that against the financial health of our state.  We have just a few days left to finish our work before presenting a completed budget to the full legislative body for consideration.

My priority bill, LB 103, has been advanced out of the Appropriations Committee with Amendment 588. AM588 would increase the appropriation to $5 million per year, for each of the next two years, to counties paying on a federal judgment; and direct the appropriation to the State Treasurer for dispersal. A county is eligible if it: (1) has a judgment against it from a federal court in excess of $25 million, if the total cost of the judgment exceeds 20% of the county’s annual budget; and (2) has set its property tax levy at the maximum for each year it receives aid. Aid can be used only for payment of the judgment. Gage county meets these requirements. I will be talking with my fellow senators to answer any questions they may have about the legislation and impacts felt by Gage county, before it comes up on the agenda for debate. 

Bills discussed this week included a couple of gambling issues. Sen. Ray Aguilar, who represents the city of Grand Island, brought LB 371. Historically, the Legislature has permitted forms of gaming as they have been authorized, including bingo, lotteries, raffles, pari-mutuel betting, and pickle cards. However, the law does not permit games of chance to be conducted at or near an enclosure where a fair is occurring. There are three fairs in Nebraska which are held at licensed racetracks, including the state fair grounds in Grand Island, and in Columbus and Hastings. If these racetracks choose to construct a casino, current statute would dictate that they must stop their gaming operations for the duration of the fair, or the fair must identify a new venue. LB371 would authorize games of chance but would not authorize any party besides the licensed gaming operator. The bill would not intertwine a fair and a casino but would allow both to operate parallel to each other. It advanced with a 38 to 5 vote.

The other issue pertaining to gambling, LB 561 by Sen. Tom Briese, was discussed at length on the floor and had four amendments. This bill would merge racing and gaming into one commission to regulate games of chance and wagering on horse racing. Amendments dealt with the addition of sports betting, keno and payment options, and the composition and appointment of the commission. After several hours of deliberation, the bill passed to the next round on a vote of 37 to 5. Because sports betting and keno were new issues, a public hearing will be held in the next couple of weeks on those amendments. There are several more bills regarding gambling yet to come, as a result of the passage of ballot initiatives last fall. 

Early in the pandemic last year, a bottleneck formed in the meatpacking industry. Beef producers in particular, were left scrambling to find ways to process and sell cattle that were ready for market. LB324, introduced by Sen. Tom Brandt, makes it easier for the consumer to purchase individual packages of meat directly from the producer or processor. The bill allows the producer and consumer more flexibility when deciding where their meat is processed. It also creates the Independent Processor Assistance Program which provides a roadmap for increasing local processing capacity and expanding market access for small producers. This bill advanced to the next round of debate without any dissenting votes.

Rounding out the “everyday” topics this week, a bill dealing with Daylight Saving Time has been designated a speaker priority bill, ensuring some floor debate on the issue. As written, it will require Congress to allow it first, and that neighboring states also adopt it. 

We will be in floor debate all day now through the end of the session. My staff is always available to talk with you, and I check my emails throughout the day. mdorn@leg.ne.gov  402-471-2620