We have just come off of a week that had some highly contested and hotly debated issues.  In the beginning of the week, we debated LB698 introduced by Senator Christensen.  LB698 would change labeling requirements for alcohol-blended fuel.  It eliminates the current provision that requires pump labeling when dispensing product containing 1% or more ethanol by volume.  The Agriculture Committee offered an amendment, AM650, which would retain the labeling requirement for alcohol-gasoline blends but only when the alcohol content exceeds 11% of product by volume.  I have received much correspondence in opposition to removing labeling alcohol-blended fuel.  During the debate on General File, it was brought forward that people want to know what is in their gasoline.  I did vote to move the bill to Select File, where we will get to see an amendment that is being worked on at this time.  I am waiting to see what the amendment will do but I am inclined to vote for not changing the labeling requirements at this time.

On Wednesday, LB105 was debated on Select File.  LB105 is a bill I introduced, which would require anyone born after December 31, 1985 to successfully complete a boating safety course and acquire a valid boating certificate to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft.  There was a bit of opposition to this on the floor in the floor of an amendment, AM818 that would have changed the date from 1985 to 1990.  A floor amendment was also offered FA10, which would make the age requirement the same as the age-of-majority.  This floor amendment did not hold up under scrutiny and was withdrawn.  I introduced an amendment, AM763, which is clean-up language that was suggested to us while the bill was in Enrollment and Review (E&R).  Enrollment and Review is where a bill goes after being passed on General File and Select file to make sure it is fluid within the current statute, and to clean up and clarify language.  This amendment passed, and the bill advanced to Final Reading by a majority voice vote.

Thursday and Friday the Legislature debated LB84, introduced by Senator Fischer.  LB84 creates the State Highway Capital Improvement Fund and directs a half-cent of existing state sales tax to the Fund to be used for construction of high-priority highway projects. It is estimated that a half-cent of sales tax generates approximately $125 million per year.

The revenue would be split between the state (83%) and cities and counties (17%). Local governments would allot their portion as provided through the current Highway allocation formula and would be required to use the revenue for road and street purposes. The diversion of the existing sales tax would begin in 2013 and continue for twenty years until 2033. The Department of Roads, in conjunction with the State Highway Commission, would be authorized to issue up to $500 million in highway bonds to accelerate construction of high priority, high-dollar projects. Any bonds would be required to issue by 2018 and paid off within twenty years (2038). Debt service would be capped at $25 million per year paid off through the Capital Improvement Fund. The bill would require at least $15 million per year in the Fund be used for the construction of the expressway system as determined by the department.

There was quite a bit of opposition and heated debate on this issue for the full eight hours it was debated.  Multiple amendments were introduced to filibuster the bill, as well as a motion to bracket the bill. I support LB84 because investing in our infrastructure is critical for growth and economic development, which is a great need in western Nebraska.

Thank you for taking interest in your Nebraska Legislature.  As always, feel free to contact me by phone: (402) 471-2616 (office), by mail at: State Capitol, District 47, PO Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509, or by email at kschilz@leg.ne.gov where you can also ask to be added to my personal email list for updates.

This past week marks the end of Committee hearings.  Starting Tuesday, March 22, we will begin all day debate.  I have introduced quite a few bills this year, many in response to concerned constituents, and I believe we could see as many as eight of these bills get passed this year.

LB 105, which I have mentioned previously, would change restrictions on the operation of motorboats and personal watercraft.  This bill passed the first round of debate and is currently on Select File to be debated a second time.  LB 106 is a bill that would expand existing county sales tax so it can be used for transportation and infrastructure.  The Revenue Committee has offered an amendment so that the use of the county local option sales tax will be limited to crime prevention, offender detention, and police services.  Senator Louden prioritized LB 106 as amended, and the bill will be scheduled for debate on General File.  LB 394 would change Dry Bean Commission membership provisions.  This bill has also been amended by the Agriculture Committee so that if a seat remains vacant for more than one year, the Governor can appoint someone to that position.  The other change in the amendment requires 10 petition signatures rather than 25.  LB 394 was voted out of committee as amended and placed on General File.  Since this bill has not been prioritized, there is a chance that we will not debate until next session.  LB 459 would limit the adoption of any law by a political subdivision regarding the ownership of an animal.  This bill was also amended by the Agriculture Committee to clarify the language, and voted on to General File.  LB 684 formalizes the Tourism Division advisory committee, and develops a statewide strategic plan to cultivate and promote tourism in Nebraska.  I offered an amendment, which will become the bill that cleans up and clarifies the language.  It was placed on General file and prioritized by Speaker Flood, so we will debate this bill this session.  LB 687 would provide for the issuance of a veterinarian locum tenens in Nebraska. Locum tenens is a person who temporarily fulfills the duties of another. The bill would allow the department, with recommendation of the board, to issue a veterinarian locum tenens to an individual who holds an active license to practice veterinary medicine and surgery in another state, with equal requirements as Nebraska. A veterinarian locum tenens would be issued for a period not to exceed ninety days in any twelve month period.

The Legislature will be debating priority legislation as we take on full day debate.  A Senator may choose only one priority bill, Committees can choose two priority bills, and the Speaker can designate up to 25 bills for priority status.  Any bill must also have the consent of the principle introducer to be designated as a priority bill.  This allows the principle introducer the first opportunity to designate the bill as a priority bill.  Late April through mid-March we will be debating budget bills, and mid-late March we will start debating redistricting bills.

I would like to take this time to inform you of a great opportunity for our youth.  The Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute will be held in Lincoln from July 11-15, 2011.  The selection of delegates to the Institute is based on the application form which is available online at www.agr.ne.gov.

Thank you for taking interest in your Nebraska Legislature.  As always, feel free to contact me at my Lincoln office either by phone: (402) 471-2616 (office), by mail at: State Capitol, District 47, PO Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509, or by email at kschilz@leg.ne.gov .