After several days of my priority bill waiting on the agenda for debate, we were able to discuss LB 1108 in the full Legislature on Thursday. The goal is to double the funding for the Emergency Medical Systems operation fund. This small investment pays big dividends in the training and testing of Emergency Medical Technicians and their continuing education. 

As you may recall, I have served as a volunteer EMT for 38 years.  I can state emphatically that when called to an accident on the roads, or to an emergency in a home or on a farm, the quality of medical intervention depends on a well-trained responder.

The program supports emergency medical programs for children and recruitment, retention, and training of emergency medical responders. It also manages the ENARSIS system (Electronic Nebraska Ambulance Rescue Service Information System) and the statewide trauma registry. These reports are used at the state and national level to improve patient care and point of care services. We learn from our past responses and hopefully, we turn that into better outcomes for patients on future calls.

In looking for ways to support the EMS program, it was brought to our attention that the Capital Maintenance fund of the Game and Parks Commission was a potential source. Like any site or facility across the state, Game and Parks relies on local EMTs and first responders when our citizens are in need. By moving $1.275 million from that fund to the EMS practice act, we can help sustain emergency services across Nebraska.

Our state has a proud tradition of volunteer services. I applaud all of those who are willing to take the time for extensive training, rigorous testing; and then interrupt their lives to go out on a call. And I know we are all extremely thankful that when we place that emergency call, whether we are in the city or in rural areas, qualified people will respond. To have this level of service is something we should never take for granted.

After a short discussion on the floor, LB 1108 was amended and passed on to the second round of consideration on a 33-0 vote. I am pleased to have this legislation moving ahead and proud to have it as my priority bill.

The Legislature has moved several key bills forward in the past week. LB 262 from the Agriculture Committee was packaged to contain provisions for hemp, grain dealers and warehousing, as well as food inspectors. It advanced on a 33-1 vote. The bill removes conflicts between state law and the USDA hemp provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill; defines grain as it relates to categories such as “certified organic”; raises licensure requirements for grain dealer security and warehouse bonds, and specifies the posting of storage rates and related charges. It also allows a local regulatory authority to choose to use only registered environmental health specialists as food inspectors.

Another committee package, LB 1200 from Transportation and Telecommunications, ensures the state will not lose federal highway dollars. It also would allow a single-step process for entering into a construction manager/general contractor contract. A portion of the bill deals with Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Act, increases the maximum truck length from 40 to 45 feet, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to work with the Public Service Commission to connect callers on the Suicide and Crisis Line to 911 services, with this dual capability in place by 2025. Finally, this measure would govern flashing yellow arrows and steady red arrows, and increase the precision of calculating the state’s fuel tax rate. It advanced on a 42-0 vote.

Thursday was the 40th day of the session, which is the day the Appropriations Committee presents the  mid-biennium budget proposal to the Legislature. A copy of that report can be found here:  https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/reports/fiscal/2024_Committee_Recommendation_Report.pdf.  Senators have a long weekend to review the report before we begin debate sometime next week. 

Please continue to contact me if you have any concerns or questions. mdorn@leg.ne.gov or call 402-471-2620. You can find complete information at www.nebraskalegislature.gov. Thank you.