I hope that everyone had a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend! As we spent the long weekend with family and friends, I hope each of you joined me in remembering the brave servicemen and women who sacrificed themselves to give us the freedom and liberties we enjoy every day in the great state of Nebraska.

Bill Update
This week I would like to go over LB1073 which was introduced by Senator Julie Slama of Dunbar and become one of the two priority bills of the Business, Commerce, and Insurance Committee. This bill contained the provisions of eleven other measures considered by the committee this session.

LB1073 eliminates a requirement that at least one operations review of a third-party administrator within a semiannual review period be conducted onsite. The bill instead gives the director of the state Department of Insurance discretion to require an onsite evaluation if deemed necessary.

• Provisions of LB446, sponsored by Senator Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, provides a regulatory framework for peer-to-peer vehicle sharing in Nebraska and determines the priority of insurance liability. They require that the owner and driver be insured under a motor vehicle liability insurance policy during each sharing period and specify what such a policy must include.
• LB873, sponsored by Senator Beau Ballard of Lincoln increases from $500 to $5,000 the amount of “good funds” a person acting as a real estate closing agency must have available for disbursement at the time of closing a real estate transaction.
• Provisions of LB885, sponsored by Senator Bostar, creates a lung cancer screening mandate for individuals between 50 and 80 years of age who currently smoke or who quit within the past 15 years and had a 20-pack per year smoking history. The provisions prohibit a deductible, coinsurance or cost-sharing requirement for qualified individuals.
• LB990, sponsored by Senator Bostar, alters the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Licensure and Regulation Act.
• LB1024, also sponsored by Senator Bostar, changes provisions related to documents and information provided to an independent review organization under the Health Carrier External Review Act.
• LB1135, sponsored by Senator Robert Dover of Norfolk, prohibits the use of right-to-list home sale agreements and changes provisions of the Nebraska Real Estate License Act.
• Provisions of LB1136, sponsored by Senator Dover, increases the maximum civil fine that the state Real Estate Commission may impose on an individual performing brokerage activities in Nebraska without a license. The provisions raise the cap from $2,500 per complaint to $5,000 or the total amount of commission earned by the licensee in each transaction subject to a complaint.
• LB1147, sponsored by Senator Bostar, provides requirements for separate investment accounts that hold assets of index-linked variable annuity contracts.
• LB1148, sponsored by Senator Ben Hansen of Blair, changes requirements relating to insurance coverage of step therapy for certain drugs.
• LB1227, sponsored by Senator Ballard, allows a professional employer organization to offer its covered employees any health benefit plan that meets the requirements of the Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement Act and the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
• LB1409, sponsored by Senator Bostar, changes provisions of the Nebraska Condominium Act related to notification requirements regarding the subdivision of a unit, creation of timeshares or proposed amendment to a declaration that adversely affects the priority of the mortgagee’s right to foreclose its lien or otherwise materially affects the rights and interest of the mortgagee or beneficiary. (“Insurance omnibus measure clears final round”. Unicameral Update. 15 April, 2024. https://update.legislature.ne.gov/?p=36449)

LB1073 passed on a 44-0 vote and took effect immediately. It was approved by Governor Pillen on April 15, 2024.

News from Governor Pillen’s Office

Governor Jim Pillen, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) encourage Nebraskans to register for the One Nebraska Ag & Economic Development Summit. This year’s event will take place August 7-8, 2024 at the Younes Conference Center North in Kearney. Registration for the Summit is now open at govsummit.nebraska.gov. Troy Dannen, Athletic Direct for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will be the keynote speaker.

“The key to our success is working together as one Nebraska to grow our state,” said Governor Pillen. “At this summer’s Summit, we’ll unite around a shared vision to create great opportunities for our kids and grandkids. We have the most sustainable ag supply chain on the planet, and we’re sitting on our pot of gold–the Ogallala Aquifer. The potential is sky high for Nebraska to be a hub for advanced fermentation, biomanufacturing, and production of next-generation biofuels.”

The One Nebraska Summit convenes economic developers and industry leaders in agriculture and business to discuss how to best grow Nebraska. This year, breakout sessions will cover talent attraction, the emerging bioeconomy, housing and childcare solutions, stewardship of water resources, manufacturing, and much more.

“We’re revolutionizing our approach to economic development in Nebraska,” said DED Director K. C. Belitz. “We’re now competing for people, not only jobs. It’s critical that we retain more of our grads and recruit top talent to the state. At the same time, we’re redoubling our efforts to encourage homegrown entrepreneurship by supporting the businesses that give so much to our communities. It’s crucial that Nebraska’s leaders understand where we’re going and how we intend to get there. I encourage you to join us for the 2024 Summit in Kearney.”

The 2024 Summit officially kicks off on Wednesday night, August 7th, with a reception and banquet hosted by the Nebraska Diplomats. The evening event includes an awards ceremony to honor leaders, businesses, and communities who have made key contributions to the state’s economic success over the previous year. Thursday, August 8th, is the primary day of the Summit. It features opening and closing remarks from Governor Pillen, a keynote from Troy Dannen, and a full slate of breakout sessions–each led by a panel of subject matter experts.

To register for the Diplomats Banquet and Summit, visit govsummit.nebraska.gov. A full Summit agenda is also available through the website. For questions, contact Lori Shaal at lori.shaal@nebraska.gov or (402) 890-4624. (Strimple, Laura and Urlis, Allan. Press Release. “Gov. Pillen Invites Nebraskans to Register for the One Nebraska Ag & Economic Development Summit Headlined by Husker AD Troy Dannen”. 29 May, 2024. https://shorturl.at/4El0y)

As always, I invite you to let me know your thoughts, ideas, concerns, or suggestions by calling my office at (402) 471-2716 or emailing me at jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov.