Weekly District 30 Update – 3/7/25

State Senator Myron Dorn

March has certainly come in like a lion with the snow and high winds, then nicer, then maybe more snow, rain and sunshine. It’s Nebraska. Most senators were able to make it to the Capitol to continue work on Wednesday March 5th, but it impacted a number of people who wanted to testify.

LB 88 is a bill I introduced on behalf of Main Street Nebraska. This organization helps communities keep our downtowns vibrant, growing and thriving. Main Street helps downtown commercial businesses with rehabbing historical buildings, technical expertise in promotion and marketing the community’s downtown area, bringing together community leaders and developing a common goal for growth and sustainably. Beatrice’s downtown is an excellent example of their work. However, the state is facing a shortfall in funding and I doubt any new appropriations will be made this year.

The State Forecasting Board met on February 28th and provided an advisory forecast on the state’s revenue projections. In my years here, they have been pretty accurate. The board raised the projected revenue for the current fiscal year by $175 million in corporate incomes tax receipts which then were offset by projected decreases in miscellaneous and individual income tax receipts. Basically, it leaves an increase of approximately $100 million above the previous projection. The board also raised the projected revenue for the budget we are currently working on 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 by $65 million, which still leaves a deficit of over $280 million.  The Appropriations committee was also made aware that the federal government has reduced Medicaid reimbursements, which also contributed to why we have a budget deficit. There are hard budgetary decisions that will have to be made.

The Legislature debated LB 113 by Senator Dan Quick from Grand Island. His bill would increase the amount of alcohol that a micro-distillery can self-distribute to retail licensees in Nebraska. The amount would go from 500 gallons to 5,000 gallons. It would also increase the number of licensed premises and retail locations a craft brewery or micro-distillery is permitted to operate from five to ten locations. The adopted committee amendment reduced the amount from 5,000 gallons to 3,500 and the locations from ten to eight. The bill advanced to the next stage of debate and I supported this bill.

The General Affairs Committee heard testimony on two bills related to the medical cannabis initiative petition passed by 70% of the voters in November. LB 651 by Senator Danielle Conrad of Lincoln and LB 677 by Blair Senator Ben Hansen. Both bills set various regulations and creates a Medical Cannabis Commission to oversee the industry. Both bills limit the number of licenses issued and give the commission until October 1, 2025 to establish criteria for registering cannabis establishments. Applications for the licenses could begin January of 2026. The hearing went well into the evening. The committee has not taken action on the bills and most likely will work with the two senators to develop a compromise to advance to the floor. I will support the vote of the people and work to see this bill advance when it comes to the floor.

Lastly, LB 140 by Senator Rita Sanders of Omaha, at the request of the Governor, introduced this bill to require school boards to adopt a policy for prohibiting student use of cellphones while on school property or attending school functions. Cellphones have become a distraction for students and limiting the access will help students focus in class. There are exceptions for cellphone use such as in the case of an emergency, necessary to manage a student’s health care, etc. The Education Committee offered an amendment to limit the policy to school instructional functions and all electrical devices. The school may permit the devices for educational purposes which would be spelled out in the policy. The committee amendment was adopted. Senators voted 44-0 to advance the bill to Select File. I supported this bill,

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.