The Legislature continues to move along. Monday, February 10 marks Day 23 of the 90-day session. The Legislature will continue floor debate each morning with standing committee meetings beginning at 1:30. So far, the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee holds the record for the longest committee hearing this session when they adjourned their hearing on LB89, Stand With Women Act, at 11:56 p.m. this past Friday.

The Legislature conducts a hearing for every bill and makes every effort to hear the testimony of anyone who wishes to testify. Generally, we hear all the proponents first, then opponents, followed by neutral testifiers. In the case of bills like LB89 where many testifiers are likely to attend, the Legislature uses annotated procedures where an overflow room is setup to divide the testifiers. Monitors are set up in the overflow to allow testifiers in the overflow room to view the ongoing testimony. The proponents are allowed to testify for one hour, then the opponents are brought in to hear their testimony for one hour, followed by any neutral testimony. Then the process is repeated until everyone has had an opportunity to testify in person should they choose to do so.

Of the 15 bills I introduced this session, two of the bills are referred to as “shell” bills. Shell bills are introduced so that the introducer can modify the bill during the session after the 10-day bill introduction is over. Any bill can be completely dismantled and rebuilt as an entirely different bill in committee after the hearing on the bill is held. The only other way to introduce a bill after the 10-day bill introduction is over is to introduce a bill on behalf of the Governor.

Of my remaining 13 bills, three have moved to Select File:

• LB250, relating to composition of bank directors;
• LB251, an omnibus banking bill; and
• LB108, updating the firefighters pension plan,

LB38, a bill relating to professional geologists, is on Final Reading. The geologist’s bill was brought to me last summer by a constituent from Maxwell who is a licensed geologist. It may now be one of the first bills to reach the Governor’s desk for his signature. So, in many ways, this bill “rocks.”

This week, LB240, which updates notice dates for County officials on any newly approved TIF project, will be heard on General File. It was voted out of the Urban Affairs Committee unanimously and should move through the process quickly. I will be presenting LB527, Medical Access and Quality Act, on the floor as well. This bill resembles LB1087 from last year that granted access to over $1 billion in Federal Medicaid funds to help hospitals based on the number of Medicaid patients they serve. LB527 accesses over $100 million of federal funds to help physicians and medical personnel who treat Medicaid patients. I am hopeful that this bill moves on its own without the need for a Priority designation. Given the timing of its General File scheduling, I think we are in good shape moving forward.

One other bill I would like to mention this week is a bill introduced by Senator Hardin. LB168 would implement the 340B Contract Pharmacy Protection Act. This bill was heard last week in the Banking, Commerce, and Insurance Committee, and I have agreed to hold an executive session on Monday morning to accept an amendment to the bill and advance it to General File. This bill is essential to small rural non-profit hospitals. The bill allows these hospitals to purchase drugs at a reduced cost and use the spread to help fund essential needs. The large drug manufacturers have been running a misleading ad campaign suggesting that patients are being taken advantage of. The fact is, many of these hospitals would close if they did not have access to this program. This is a good bill and should be passed.

This will be a very busy week. Friday, February 14, will be our first recess day since January 21, and I know I share many of my colleagues’ enthusiasm to be able to spend some time back in our districts. So far, it’s been a productive session, but much of our important work is yet to come.

I look forward to continuing to hear from you about issues that are important to you. It is a privilege to serve as your State Senator, and I will continue to give my full effort to make a positive difference for the District and the State. You can reach me at mjacobson@leg.ne.gov or 402-471-2729.