State Senator Myron Dorn

February has come to an end and we are at day 35 of the 90-day session with only 4 weeks of committee hearings yet to be held. The various committees have heard some controversial issues and some bills that propose minor adjustments to statutes but no matter the subject content, each bill receives a public hearing.

This past week I presented LR 7CA to the Executive Board of the Legislature. LR 7CA is a constitutional amendment proposal to increase senators’ pay from $1,000 a month ($12,000 a year) to $30,000 a year. If passed by the Legislature, it would go on the ballot at the next general election in 2026. Senators’ salaries were last increased in 1988 from $4,800 a year to the current $12,000. If an inflation factor were applied, it would be over $32,000 today.

NCSL (National Conference of State Legislatures’) is an organization which includes all 50 states. NCSL reviewed all 50 states and ranked them as full-time, hybrid (works more than 70% of the year) and part-time. Nebraska ranked as a hybrid Legislature where state senators worked a great deal outside the 60- and 90-day session. We attend meetings with the county board, various associations, and individual constituents. We are making calls regarding state agency issues, attending interim hearings, and working on Select Committees we serve on.

Senator Ben Hansen’s proposal would have a senator’s salary based on minimum wage and health care. However, he offered an amendment that would establish an independent commission to review and propose a salary. The commission could not have any current or former senators, no former legislative staff, or lobbyists or state employees. I could see the commission having an economist, a business owner, an employment specialist etc. 22 other states have this type of commission. Neither Senator Hansen or I would benefit since we are both term-limited out of the legislature in 2026. I hope an increase in salary would reduce the financial burden that serving in the legislature places on a family. The board has not taken action on any of these proposals to date.

And speaking of ballot issues, last November voters approved an increase in the state minimum wage to $15 per hour by January 1, 2026. The wage would be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. Senator Jane Raybould of Lincoln offered LB 258 which would establish a youth minimum wage of $13.50 per hour for new employees ages 14 and 15 and adjust the 90-day training wage for new employees under age 18 to $13.50 per hour through 2026. After 2026, the new training wage will be 75% of the newly CPI adjusted minimum wage. If the on-line comments submitted to the hearing are any indication, the bill will not be successful. The comments submitted for the record were, 5 proponents and 324 opponents.

We have all witnessed distracted drivers with their cell phones to their ears, or trying to send texts. Current law prohibits drivers from using a handheld wireless communication device to read, type or send a written communication while operating a moving motor vehicle that is in motion, basically texting. Freshman Senator Jason Prokop of Lincoln introduced LB 594 which would allow Nebraska law enforcement to stop motorists for holding or otherwise using a handheld device while driving, basically talking on the cell phone. This bill would not apply if the device is not being held but on speaker. The bill would make this a primary offense. According to Vicki Kramer, the director of the state Department of Transportation, “Nebraska is one of five states without a ‘hands-free driving or primary enforcement of texting and driving.” The Transportation and Telecommunications committee has not taken action on the bill.

I would like to close with a tribute to former State Senator Bill Burrows. George “Bill” Burrows who passed away on February 21. Bill served District 30 from 1975 to 1983. He lived in Adams Nebraska his entire life and fought to protect the small family farm and against corporate farming. He was married to his wife, Norma, for 71 years. Our sympathies to the family.

For more information on the Nebraska Legislature, the link is: nebraskalegislature.gov   

Here you can find all the information on bills, hearing schedules, information on senators, legislative divisions, and legislative reports etc.

My contact information is mdorn@leg.ne.gov and 402-471-2620. As always, I appreciate hearing from you.