Over the Fence
A bi-weekly newsletter from Senator Tom Hansen
January 21, 2011
The 102nd Legislature First Session convened on January 5th and by the end of the 10th legislative day a final total of 698 bills had been introduced.
Our highest priority, as always, will be to balance the state’s budget. We have our work cut out for us since we start out with a $986 million deficit. The Governor has proposed his budget plan to address the deficit with several bills: LB 383, 387, 388, and 389. The proposals contain provisions that reduce funding for many agencies and eliminate several programs. Most of the rest of the shortfall will be made up with a $260 million transfer from the state’s cash reserve. The Legislature’s Appropriations Committee, of which I am a member, will use the governor’s proposals as guidance as it forms its budget over the next few months.
I have introduced two bills this year: LB 181 – which will allow the Nebraska Brand Committee to implement a surcharge to help cover expenses incurred by traveling to perform brand inspections; and LB 182 – which will allow for only one license plate to be issued for farm trucks and commercial motor vehicles.
Bills I think that the citizens of Legislative District 42 may be interested in include:
LB 48 – Introduced by Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont would adopt the Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act.
LB 83 – Introduced by Sen. Colby Coash of Lincoln would rename and repurpose the Local Civic, Cultural, and Convention Center Financing Act.
LB 84 – Introduced by Sen. Deb Fischer of Valentine would adopt the Build Nebraska Act and authorize bonds for the highway system.
LB 101 – Introduced by Sen. Ken Schilz of Ogallala would eliminate daylight savings time.
LB 123 – Introduced by Sen. Lavon Heidemann of Elk Creek would provide for disciplinary actions and policies relating to cyber-bullying.
LB 145 – Introduced by Sen. Ken Haar of Lincoln would provide for school transportation safety committees.
LB 195 – Introduced by Sen. Kate Sullivan of Cedar Rapids would change the number of members of the Legislature from 49 to 50.
LB 233 – Introduced by Sen. Krist of Omaha would decrease the number of members of the Legislature to 45.
LB 235 – Introduced by Sen. Greg Adams of York would change provisions relating to state aid to schools.
LB 248 – Introduced by Sen. Annette Dubas of Fullerton would change provisions relating to burning permits and range-management burning.
LB 276 – Introduced by Sen. Brenda Council of Omaha would change a penalty from death to life imprisonment without possibility of parole and change other penalties as prescribed.
LB 305 – Introduced by Sen. Tyson Larson of O’Neill would implement a state meat and poultry inspection program.
LB 340 – Introduced by Sen. Annette Dubas of Fullerton would adopt the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Notification Act.
LB 355 – Introduced by Sen. Tom Carlson of Holdrege would provide for an agricultural trade representative and funding intent.
LB 433 – Introduced by Sen. Kathy Campbell of Lincoln would provide requirements for contracts for child welfare services between private agencies and the Department of Health and Human Services.
LB 473 – Introduced by Sen. LeRoy Louden of Ellsworth would adopt the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management Act.
LB 504 – Introduced by Sen. Kathy Campbell of Lincoln would increase the gas tax.
These are just a few measures of what has been introduced. You can obtain additional information from the Legislature’s website at http://www.leg.ne.gov/. And as I have encouraged in the past, I would like to hear from you about your thoughts on these or any of the 698 introduced bills. My email address is: thansen@leg.ne.gov or you can send mail to me at State Capitol, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509. You may also telephone me at my Capitol office at 402-471-2729.
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