Your Weeks 8 and 9 Legislative Updates
Hello my friends,
The past two weeks at the legislature were the last days of committee hearings, meaning that all day floor debate will begin next week. I introduced my final 4 bills, LB823, LB1337, LB825 and LB833 over the past two weeks. I can’t believe it’s my last time introducing legislation as your State Senator from LD3 but I can’t be more proud about the legislation my office crafted and introduced this session. We brought up important issues that must be addressed in Nebraska especially with health care, jobs, military issues and more. I’m looking forward to finishing up the year on a high note with the majority of my legislation being passed.
LB823 allows Nebraska to become a member of the Interstate Compact for Physician Associates. The compact would remove licensure hurdles for licensed physician associates moving to Nebraska to practice through granting a multi-state license and a shared database between Compact member states for background checks. Active-duty military spouses and others licensed in this profession who have moved to Nebraska will be able to enter the workforce sooner. LB823 has been voted out of committee to General File with no opposition.
LB1373 allows Nebraska to join the Dietician Licensure Compact. This compact eases licensure hurdles for licensed dieticians entering the state to practice in Nebraska through granting a multi-state license and a shared database between Compact member states for background checks. Active-duty military spouses and others licensed in this profession who have moved to Nebraska will be able to enter the workforce sooner. LB1373 has been voted out of committee to General File with no opposition.
LB825 establishes the Nebraska Farmers of Color Opportunity Act. It grants tax breaks to any organization awarding grants to black farmers/food producers. The bill has not been voted out by the committee as of yet.
LB833 adopts the Prescription Drug Affordability Act. The act establishes the Nebraska Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board and the Nebraska Prescription Drug Affordability Council. The 5 member board, appointed by the governor, subject to approval by the legislature, are required to have expertise in health care economics or clinical medicine. The board is able to establish an upper payment limit for prescription drugs after performing an affordability review. The board is limited to reviewing 12 drugs per year unless other prescription drugs are deemed worthy for a review. The bill has not been voted out by the committee as of yet.
Floor Debate
Last week, morning floor debates were filled with a lot of legislation that are considered to be “clean-up language” bills or bills that aren’t considered to be divisive. One of the more interesting debates that occurred on the floor last week wasn’t for a bill but for a legislative resolution. LR298 creates the Legislative Oversight Review Special Committee. This helps to resolve issues with oversight that have been discussed for months at the legislature. This all stems from an opinion written by Attorney General Mike Hilgers that questioned the constitutionality of the Inspector General Acts. After this opinion, executive branch departments such as the Department of Health and Human Services didn’t assist the Inspector General of Child Welfare or the State Ombudsman’s office when asking for new data and information. While this resolution answers many questions, the fact that this even happened in the first place was not needed. The months spent without the Inspectors General Act was a negative for oversight for the wellbeing of children, incarcerated Nebraskans, the foster system and other groups of people that are under the state’s watch.
From Tuesday the 27 to Wednesday the 28th, the legislature debated LB1067 which was introduced by Senator Clements. The bill would end the Inheritance Tax over a 5 year period. Much of the debate surrounded how counties would be able to continue to fund themselves without inheritance tax. The bill has close to 3 hours left for debate on General File.
On Thursday the 29th, the legislature was business as usual for most of the morning, with 15 bills passing on final reading. LB1288 introduced by Senator Raybould would allow the Nebraska Mental Health Commitment Act to include recognition of tribal mental health and dangerous sex offender commitment orders, allow for transportation of persons civilly committed under tribal law, and provide for reimbursement for transportation and other expenses prescribed. The bill passed General File with a vote of 25-10. |
