Tuesday January 30, 2024
Agriculture
Room 2102 – 1:30 PM
OPPOSE: LB828
Introducer: Blood – cblood.leg.ne.gov
Description: Change provisions of the Nebraska Apiary Act and provide for the Pollinator Task Force, the Nebraska Apiary Registry, and immunity for certain damages relating to bees
* If you cannot join us in person, please submit online testimony, comments must be submitted by Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 8:00 AM! *
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54753
More Information:
This bill creates a task force that gives non-experts and UNL researchers oversight and policy writing powers over beekeepers across the state. Additionally, this act creates a registration list and fund that charges the beekeeper a fee for every hive in use.
ALSO Email the Agriculture Committee Members:
Sen. Steve Halloran, Chairperson – shalloran@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Teresa Ibach, Vice Chairperson – tibach@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Tom Brewer – tbrewer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Ben Hansen – bhansen@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Rick Holdcroft – rholdcroft@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jana Hughes – jhughes@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jane Raybould – Jraybould@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Merv Riepe – mriepe@leg.ne.gov
NEUTRAL: LB1142
Introducer: Wayne – jwayne.leg.ne.gov
Description: Require and restrict certain actions of any animal control facility, animal rescue, animal shelter, or rabies control authority
* If you cannot join us in person, please submit online testimony, comments must be submitted by Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 8:00 AM! *
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54915
More Information:
LB1142 would at least require rescues and shelters to make their best attempt at contacting an animals owner.
It would be recommended that the requirement to prove vaccination be stricken. This places unnecessary burden on owners and can lead to the over vaccination of an owned pet.
ALSO Email the Agriculture Committee Members:
Sen. Steve Halloran, Chairperson – shalloran@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Teresa Ibach, Vice Chairperson – tibach@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Tom Brewer – tbrewer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Ben Hansen – bhansen@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Rick Holdcroft – rholdcroft@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jana Hughes – jhughes@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jane Raybould – Jraybould@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Merv Riepe – mriepe@leg.ne.gov
Education
Room 1525 – 1:30 PM
NEUTRAL: LB1306
Introducer: Education Committee
Description: Eliminate the Professional Practices Commission and provide, change, and eliminate provisions relating to standards for and conduct of teachers and administrators
* If you cannot join us in person, please submit online testimony, comments must be submitted by Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 8:00 AM! *
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54763
More Information:
LB1306 creates a host of questions…
Unintended consequence – Will give a lot of power to the Commissioner, more than what he has, in terms of investigating a complaint.
The Commissioner would make the assessment on whether the complaint is worthy of a hearing, then determines who the hearing officers are.
The Commissioner is currently backlogged 2 years with complaints (teachers with sexual assault still listed with a valid teaching license, teachers under current litigation for defaming a student still teaching at another school).
What is their intention here? Is the education committee aware of this backlog? Why are we putting greater burden on the NDE rather than requiring the local boards to be conduct a thorough investigation and hearing.
Local school boards should be handling these grievances at the local level and sending their determination to the Commissioner, at which point an additional hearing could be granted, if necessary.
ALSO Email the Education Committtee:
Sen. Dave Murman, Chairperson – dmurman@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Joni Albrecht, Vice Chairperson – jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Danielle Conrad – dconrad@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Lou Ann Linehan llinehan@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Fred Meyer – fmeyer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Rita Sanders – rsanders@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Lynne Walz – lwalz@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Justin Wayne – jwayne@leg.ne.gov
NEUTRAL: LB1331
Introducer: Murman – dmurman@leg.ne.gov
Description: Change provisions related to truancy and attendance and various programs administered by the State Department of Education
* If you cannot join us in person, please submit online testimony, comments must be submitted by Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 8:00 AM! *
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55404
ALSO Email the Education Committtee:
Sen. Dave Murman, Chairperson – dmurman@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Joni Albrecht, Vice Chairperson – jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Danielle Conrad – dconrad@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Lou Ann Linehan llinehan@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Fred Meyer – fmeyer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Rita Sanders – rsanders@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Lynne Walz – lwalz@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Justin Wayne – jwayne@leg.ne.gov
More Information:
This bill changes “habitual truancees” to “excessive absenteeism” and largely moves the responsibilities of tracking and enforcing truancy laws to the Commissioner of Education.
It also requires the Commissioner to track higher learning students
Lastly it eliminates a grant program through the SBOE – ” The State Board of Education shall establish innovation grant19 programs in areas, including, but not limited to, (i) mental health first 20 aid, (ii) early literacy, (iii) quality instructional materials, (iv) 21 personalized learning through digital education, or (v) other innovation 22 areas identified by the board “
SUPPORT: LB1377
Introducer: Walz – lwalz@leg.ne.gov
Description: Change requirements relating to training for certain school employees
* If you cannot join us in person, please submit online testimony, comments must be submitted by Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 8:00 AM! *
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55293
More Information:
Returns the determination of the length of training requirements to the local school boards or law enforcement agency.
ALSO Email the Education Committtee:
Sen. Dave Murman, Chairperson – dmurman@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Joni Albrecht, Vice Chairperson – jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Danielle Conrad – dconrad@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Lou Ann Linehan llinehan@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Fred Meyer – fmeyer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Rita Sanders – rsanders@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Lynne Walz – lwalz@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Justin Wayne – jwayne@leg.ne.gov
Wednesday January 31, 2024
Government, Military and Veterans Affairs
Room 1507 – 1:30 PM
SUPPORT: LB861
Introducer: Linehan – llinehan@leg.ne.gov
Description: Change procedures to remove a name from a petition under the Election Act
* If you cannot join us in person, please submit online testimony, comments must be submitted by Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 8:00 AM! *
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54869
More Information:
LB861 addresses the process of removing your name from a petition in response to the use of deception to gain signatures from citizens.
ALSO Email the Government Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Members:
Sen. Tom Brewer, Chairperson – tbrewer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Rita Sanders, Vice Chairperson – rsanders@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Raymond Aguilar – raguilar@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Danielle Conrad – dconrad@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Steve Halloran – shalloran@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Megan Hunt – mhunt@leg.ne.gov
Sen. John Lowe – jlowe@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jane Raybould – Jraybould@leg.ne.gov
Document: LB1070
Introducer: Bostar – ebostar@leg.ne.gov
Description: Change closing dates and filing deadlines for campaign statements of ballot question committees
* If you cannot join us in person, please submit online testimony, comments must be submitted by Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 8:00 AM! *
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54761
More Information:
LB1070 is a simple law change that does align filing deadlines with other filing requirements. It would make things more simple.
ALSO Email the Government Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Members:
Sen. Tom Brewer, Chairperson – tbrewer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Rita Sanders, Vice Chairperson – rsanders@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Raymond Aguilar – raguilar@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Danielle Conrad – dconrad@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Steve Halloran – shalloran@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Megan Hunt – mhunt@leg.ne.gov
Sen. John Lowe – jlowe@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jane Raybould – Jraybould@leg.ne.gov
NEUTRAL: LB1068
Introducer: Brewer – tbrewer@leg.ne.gov
Description: Change provisions relating to the appointment, certification, and convening of presidential electors
Note: LB 1068 will be a combined hearing with LB 1152
* If you cannot join us in person, please submit online testimony, comments must be submitted by Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 8:00 AM! *
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55064
More Information:
This bill changes the meeting location of the presidential electors from the Governor’s office at the Capitol to a location determined by the governor.
It also changes the meeting day from a Monday to a Tuesday later December.
ALSO Email the Government Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Members:
Sen. Tom Brewer, Chairperson – tbrewer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Rita Sanders, Vice Chairperson – rsanders@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Raymond Aguilar – raguilar@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Danielle Conrad – dconrad@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Steve Halloran – shalloran@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Megan Hunt – mhunt@leg.ne.gov
Sen. John Lowe – jlowe@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jane Raybould – Jraybould@leg.ne.gov
NEUTRAL: LB1152
Introducer: Brewer – tbrewer@leg.ne.gov
Description: Change provisions relating to elections, motor vehicle operators’ licenses, and state identification cards
Note: LB 1152 will be a combined hearing with LB 1068
* If you cannot join us in person, please submit online testimony, comments must be submitted by Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 8:00 AM! *
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55311
More Information:
LB1152 isn’t actually “fixing” anything. It does add language for requiring election works to verify the ID number written on absentee ballots (kinda important!). Sounds great and all, but we’re still just making it good for the people who wanted Voter ID. We haven’t done a thing to actually prevent those who want to commit fraud from doing so.
Unfortunately, due to a Supreme Court case, they currently have to allow for expired IDs, so we have no fight there, basically the same thing on the reasonable impediment language.
The two parts that remain unclear is the language on requiring only 1 list per month to parties. ( It appears to add this because nothing is stricken. ) Then there is language about election workers choosing to not get paid and that the clerk can use the individual’s pay to contract with an NGO that is a 501c3 to recruit election workers. ( This is not ok, that’s supposed to be the county party, not private interest groups. )
ALSO Email the Government Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Members:
Sen. Tom Brewer, Chairperson – tbrewer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Rita Sanders, Vice Chairperson – rsanders@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Raymond Aguilar – raguilar@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Danielle Conrad – dconrad@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Steve Halloran – shalloran@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Megan Hunt – mhunt@leg.ne.gov
Sen. John Lowe – jlowe@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jane Raybould – Jraybould@leg.ne.gov
Health and Human Services
Room 1510 – 1:30 PM
SUPPORT: LB1060
Introducer: Hansen – bhansen@leg.ne.gov
Description: Provide an exemption from newborn screening
* If you cannot join us in person, please submit online testimony, comments must be submitted by Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 8:00 AM! *
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55318
More Information:
LB1060 aligns with one of NAGOs Top Priorities for 2024, Birthing Rights. LB1060 provides for an exemption from the PKU test (heel prick done on newborns). In years past parents have ended up before the Supreme Court and had their children removed from their custody because Nebraska does not recognize objections to the PKU test/newborn screening. This simple change would allow parents to choose a pain-free birth for their newborn without persecution by the state.
ALSO Email the Health and Human Services Committee Members:
Sen. Ben Hansen, Chairperson – bhansen@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Brian Hardin, Vice Chairperson – bhardin@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Beau Ballard – bballaard@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh – mcavanaugh@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jen Day – jday@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Merv Riepe – mriepe@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Lynne Walz – lwalz@leg.ne.gov
Thursday February 1, 2024
Health and Human Services
Room 1510 – 1:30 PM
OPPOSE: LB952
Introducer: Day – jday@leg.ne.gov / Prioritized: Aguilar – raguilar@leg.ne.gov
Description: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to implement the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer Program
* If you cannot join us in person, please submit online testimony, comments must be submitted by Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 8:00 AM! *
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55060
More Information:
Senator Aguilar on why he’s prioritized LB952 – https://share.newsbreak.com/5zy6b65q
Why Governor Pillen opposed the federal Summer EBT Program – https://share.newsbreak.com/5zy7nmx5
ALSO Email the Health and Human Services Committee:
Sen. Ben Hansen, Chairperson – bhansen@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Brian Hardin, Vice Chairperson – bhardin@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Beau Ballard – bballaard@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh – mcavanaugh@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jen Day – jday@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Merv Riepe – mriepe@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Lynne Walz – lwalz@leg.ne.gov
Judiciary
Room 1113 – 1:30 PM
NEUTRAL: LB999
Introducer: Ibach – tibach@leg.ne.gov
Description: Change provisions of the Nebraska Hemp Farming Act and the Uniform Controlled Substances Act
* If you cannot join us in person, please submit online testimony, comments must be submitted by Thursday, February 1st, 2024 at 8:00 AM! *
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55377
More Information:
This looks to be a good bill for Nebraska Hemp Farmers as compared to current regulations held over them. This bill does raise the question is it prohibiting all derivatives aside from CBD? What happens if federal regulations change, how does that affect the laws here should this pass?
ALSO Email the Judiciary Committee Members:
Sen. Justin Wayne, Chairperson – Jwayne@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Wendy DeBoer, Vice Chairperson – wdeboer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Carol Blood – cblood@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Carolyn Bosn – cbosn@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Barry DeKay – bdekay@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Rick Holdcroft – rholdcroft@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Teresa Ibach – tibach@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Terrell McKinney – tmckinney@leg.ne.gov
Friday February 2, 2024
Revenue
Room 1524 – 1:30 PM
SUPPORT: LB1394
Introducer: Brewer – tbrewer@leg.ne.gov
Description: Exempt Nebraska National Guard income from state income taxation
* If you cannot join us in person, please submit online testimony, comments must be submitted by Friday, February 2, 2024 at 8:00 AM! *
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55590
More Information:
This absolutely makes sense. Obviously, we support this measure for ALL Nebraskans, but at least providing this exemption for our Nebraska State Guard is the least we can do to honor our Service Members.
ALSO Email the Revenue Committee Members:
Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, Chairperson – llinehan@leg.ne.gov
Sen. R. Brad von Gillern, Vice Chairperson – bvongillern@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Joni Albrecht – jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Eliot Bostar – Ebostar@leg.ne.gov
Sen. George Dungan – Gdungan@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Kathleen Kauth – kkauth@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Fred Meyer – fmeyer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dave Murman – dmurman@leg.ne.gov
NEUTRAL: LB1414
Introducer: Linehan – llinehan@leg.ne.gov
Description: Adopt the Property Tax Growth Limitation Act and change provisions relating to budget limitations
* If you cannot join us in person, please submit online testimony, comments must be submitted by Friday, February 2, 2024 at 8:00 AM! *
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54703
More Information:
LB1414 and LB1415 are legislative bills introduced to curb the ever growing support for EPIC Option. They may limit spending of raising of tax properties by school districts, cities, villages, and counties, but they ignore the real problem which is evaluations and lowering the mill levies.
We do appreciate the implementation of the vote by the people if they raise their asking increase too high, but even at 5% that is a lot!
ALSO Email the Revenue Committee Members:
Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, Chairperson – llinehan@leg.ne.gov
Sen. R. Brad von Gillern, Vice Chairperson – bvongillern@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Joni Albrecht – jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Eliot Bostar – Ebostar@leg.ne.gov
Sen. George Dungan – Gdungan@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Kathleen Kauth – kkauth@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Fred Meyer – fmeyer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dave Murman – dmurman@leg.ne.gov
NEUTRAL: LB1415
Introducer: Dover – rdover@leg.ne.gov
Description: Adopt the Property Tax Relief Act and change the Nebraska Property Tax Incentive Act
* If you cannot join us in person, please submit online testimony, comments must be submitted by Friday, February 2, 2024 at 8:00 AM! *
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55247
More Information:
LB1414 and LB1415 are legislative bills introduced to curb the ever growing support for EPIC Option. They may limit spending on the rising of tax properties by school districts, cities, villages, and counties, but they ignore the real problem, which is evaluations and lowering the mill levies.
ALSO Email the Revenue Committee Members:
Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, Chairperson – llinehan@leg.ne.gov
Sen. R. Brad von Gillern, Vice Chairperson – bvongillern@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Joni Albrecht – jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Eliot Bostar – Ebostar@leg.ne.gov
Sen. George Dungan – Gdungan@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Kathleen Kauth – kkauth@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Fred Meyer – fmeyer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dave Murman – dmurman@leg.ne.gov
View the Full Week’s Schedule here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/calendar/hearings_range.php?weekly=next
Nebraskans Against Government Overreach 