The 107th Legislature, Second Session is upon us and will convene on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, just a few months since the special session on redistricting adjourned. This is the short 60-day session and is a continuation of the last one, meaning that bills from last session that weren’t passed or killed are still in play to go along with new bills that will be introduced. I expect there to be major proposals to address taxes and how to spend Nebraska’s allocation of covid-19 relief dollars that will probably take up a lot of floor debate.

My bill LB91, which changes the frequency of testing native flower and grass seed germination percentage from every nine months to every fifteen months is the first bill on the list for General File debate and should come up fairly soon on the agenda. LB242, my bill to allow counties to pay for bridges on a payment plan instead of all up front, is the 13th bill on General File.

I will be introducing new legislation in January to: add early childhood education to the statewide farm to school program; update the definition of meth lab; create a Nebraska Domestic Abuse Death Review Team after consultations with affected families; and call for $10,000,000 in covid-19 relief funds for the Independent Processor Assistance Fund that was created in LB324 for small meat producers from last session. If you have questions about bills or the upcoming session, please contact my office. 

Nebraska experienced unprecedented extreme weather last Wednesday, including hurricane-force winds that led to property damage and power outages, but thankfully no fatalities as was the case in Kentucky recently. I would like to thank the hardworking linemen and crews who worked to restore power to LD32 residents and all over the state. 

On that note, it is time again for the Nebraska Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest. The contest is sponsored by Nebraska Association of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, the Nebraska National Guard and the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. The poster contest is open to all third-grade students in Nebraska. Teachers are encouraged to have students participate while teaching them about the hazards of severe weather such as tornadoes (the most common theme chosen for posters), lightning and flooding. The first-place winner wins a $125 gift card, second-place a $100 gift card, third-place a $75 gift card, and fourth-place a $50 gift card. For the rules of the contest or questions about it, contact Laura Hintz at 402-288-5613 or knoxema@knoxcountyne.org.

Finally, I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas full of happiness, warmth and relaxation. I extend joy and blessings from my family to yours. And remember, Jesus is the reason for the season.