Senator Tom Brewer
43rd District
2-14-2020

A bill by Sen. Stinner (LB 1165) would do away with the Brand Committee. The constituents who have contacted me have grave concerns with this idea. We have had brand registration and inspection in Nebraska since before we were even a state.

In response to LB 1165, the Brand Committee drafted a bill (LB 1200) and presented it to Sen. Halloran, who chairs the Agriculture Committee. Since my legislative district is what makes Nebraska “The Beef State,” Sen. Halloran asked me if I would like to introduce the bill, and I am glad he did. This is an incredibly important bill to my district, and Sen. Halloran has also agreed to put a committee priority designation on LB 1200. The committee hearing for this bill will be Tuesday the February 18th. I encourage those with an interest in saving the Brand Committee to testify in support during the hearing, or provide a letter of support to the Agriculture Committee if you cannot make the trip.

The Brand Committee has done a good job of updating the law with LB 1200, but there will likely be an amendment to the bill to address some specific details that may need to be changed. I encourage those interested in this to read the bill and give me your feedback. It can be found at:

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/106/PDF/Intro/LB1200.pdf

In other news, LB 58 (the gun confiscation “Red Flag” law) has been voted out of the Judiciary Committee and advanced to General File. However, the bill has not been prioritized. In the short session (60 days) we are in, bills that have not been prioritized will essentially be dead. I am closely following this bill and will make sure the word gets out if this bill is ever prioritized and put on the agenda. I want to thank the hundreds of people who have contacted me and my staff about this bill. The outpouring of support pledging to fight this bill is simply amazing. Let your voice be heard!

Sen. McCollister’s LB 816 will be heard in the Judiciary Committee Friday, February 21st. I am also strongly opposed to this bill, which would restrict our ability to buy and sell many common rifles and shotguns. I encourage folks who oppose this bill to contact the Senators of the Judiciary Committee and urge them to vote NO on LB 816. I have been told by many gun owners are planning to make the trip to Lincoln for the hearing on this bad bill. It has also not been prioritized as of this writing. I will keep a close eye on this one as well and be sure to inform the public if this is ever up for debate before the full Legislature.

The plain truth of all this is so simple: these two bills violate the oath senators took to “support and defend” the Constitution. I cannot understand how a person could swear such an oath and then turn around and vote for either of these bills. They are a direct assault on a number of our constitutional rights. On top of this, these bills don’t work. Restricting the constitutional rights of law abiding citizens doesn’t stop or reduce gun-related violence.

Please contact my office with any comments, questions or concerns. Email me at; tbrewer@leg.ne.gov. Mail a letter to; Sen. Tom Brewer, Room #1101, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509 or call us at (402) 471-2628.