Sen. Mike Flood
Sen. Mike Flood
Speaker of the Legislature

Speaker Flood Announces Cancellation of Legislative Hearings Due to Winter Storm Warning

February 2nd, 2012

On Thursday, February 2, 2012, Speaker of the Legislature Mike Flood, announced legislative hearings scheduled for the afternoon of February 3, 2012, have been cancelled due to numerous blizzard warnings and winter storm watches across the state of Nebraska. The hearings originally scheduled for Friday afternoon will be rescheduled for Monday, Februrary 13, 2012, at 9:30 a.m.

Senator Flood stated: “Bill hearings are an integral part of the legislative process. It is important for both senators and citizens to be able to attend public hearings. The change in schedule will keep folks off the roads during potentially unsafe conditions.”

Posted in Uncategorized |

Speaker Announces Key Session Dates for 2012

January 4th, 2012

January 5

  • Convene at 10:00 a.m.and adjourn by noon or when introduced bills have been processed by the Clerk’s office

January 6

  • Convene at 10:00 a.m.and adjourn by noon or when introduced bills have been processed by the Clerk’s office

January 9

  • Convene at 10:00 a.m.and adjourn by noon or when introduced bills have been processed by the Clerk’s office
  • Speaker’s office will begin accepting committee and senator priority bill designations (Please note: scheduling of priority bills will be subject to my discretion and early designation does not guarantee early debate of a measure)

January 10

  • Convene at 9:00 a.m. and debate motion to adopt permanent rules
  • Begin floor debate of carryover legislation
  • Bill introduction
  • Adjourn by noon or when introduced bills have been processed by the Clerk’s office

January 11

  • Convene at 9:00 a.m.for floor debate
  • Bill introduction
  • Adjourn by noon or when introduced bills have been processed by the Clerk’s office

January 12

  • Convene at 9:45 a.m.
  • Governor’s State of the State Address –10:00 a.m.
  • Bill introduction
  • Continue floor debate and adjourn around noon

January 13

  • Recess Day
  • (Tentative) Last day to submit bill requests to Revisor of Statutes/Bill Drafting Office

January 17

  • Convene at 10:00 a.m.and adjourn at noon
  • Bill introduction and floor debate
  • Committee hearings begin at 1:30 p.m.

January 18

  • Convene at 9:00 a.m.and adjourn at noon
  • Bill introduction and floor debate

January 19

  • Convene at 9:45 a.m.
  • Chief Justice Heavican’s State of the Judiciary Address-10:00 a.m.
  • Last day of bill introduction
  • Adjourn at noon or when introduced bills have been processed by the Clerk’s office

January 20

  • Convene at 9:00 a.m.and adjourn at noon

February 6

  • Speaker’s office will begin accepting requests for speaker priority designations

February 15, by 5:00 p.m.

  • Deadline to submit a letter to the Speaker requesting designation of a bill as a 2012 speaker priority bill

February 16, Prior to Adjournment

  • Deadline for designation of committee and senator priority bills

February 21

  • Speaker priority bills announced prior to adjournment

February 27

  • Tentative date to begin all day floor debate

Posted in Speaker Memos |

Speaker Duties

August 5th, 2008

The Speaker of the Legislature is elected by the membership every two years. Speaker responsibilities and privileges include:

  • setting the session calendar and daily agenda;
  • serving as the Legislature’s presiding officer in the absence of the Lieutenant Governor;
  • working with fellow legislators to overcome differences as legislation is considered;
  • selecting up to 25 bills or resolutions as his or her priorities. Priority bills are generally considered ahead of other bills. Other senators may select one priority bill per session, while committees may select two; and
  • designating up to five bills or resolutions each session as his or her major proposals with scheduling priority. Major proposals must already be designated as a senator’s priority bill and must be approved by two-thirds of the Executive Board.

Posted in Speaker Duties |