Speaker's Office News and Information

Speaker Reschedules 60th Day

lweber — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:21:03 +0000

The speaker announced today that the 60th day of the 2012 Session will be held Wednesday, April 18th, not on April 12th as previously scheduled.

Speaker Announces 2012 Late Night Schedule

lweber — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:22:22 +0000

I have finalized the schedule for “late nights” and a change this session will be that for each scheduled “late night,” we will convene session at 8:00 a.m. except for the first day of our work week which will continue to begin at 10:00 a.m. The following dates are reserved for the body to work during the evening hours:

Monday, March 19;
Tuesday, March 20;
Wednesday, March 21;
Tuesday, March 27;
Wednesday, March 28;
Thursday, March 29;
Monday, April 2;
Tuesday, April 3;
Wednesday, April 4; and
Tuesday, April 10.

Dates in bold will include an early 8:00 a.m. start, in addition to the scheduled “late night.” Also, I reserve the right to cancel a scheduled “late night.”

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

lweber — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:51:41 +0000

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.”

Speaker Announces Key Session Dates for 2012

lweber — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:17:02 +0000

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

Speaker Duties

admin — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:27:00 +0000

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.