Legislation clarifying oil pipeline regulations as well as the protection and management of the state’s water and wildlife resources was passed this session. LB1161, sponsored by Papillion Sen. Jim Smith, makes changes to law enacted during the November 2011 special session to regulate oil pipeline routing in Nebraska. Under LB1161, a pipeline carrier wishing to [Read more ... ]
Senators addressed a variety of judicial issues this session, including continued juvenile justice reform, child abuse penalties and changes to the state’s gaming laws. Juvenile justice A bill that expands and creates protocols for the state’s seven child advocacy centers was passed this session. Under LB993, introduced by Omaha Sen. Brad Ashford, each county child [Read more ... ]
A range of topics involving government, military and veterans affairs came before the Legislature this session. Issues included elections, state contracts and the impeachment of civil officers. Elections Among the measures passed concerning election procedures was a bill requiring that petition circulators be 18 years of age or older. LB759, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Bill [Read more ... ]
Two measures that could impact the service of state senators will appear on the ballot this November as a result of legislation considered by the Legislature’s Executive Board. LR358CA, introduced by Holdrege Sen. Tom Carlson, will allow voters to extend the state constitution’s current limit of two consecutive four-year terms for state senators to three [Read more ... ]
Insurance and banking industry regulation were among the issues considered by the Legislature this session. Senators approved insurance coverage for oral cancer medications. LB882, sponsored by Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist, requires that a health policy, certificate, contract or plan provide coverage for a prescribed, orally administered anticancer medication that is used to kill or slow [Read more ... ]
Natural gas infrastructure, building codes, utility district elections and economic development were among the urban affairs issues taken up by lawmakers this session. Senators passed a bill that allows jurisdictional utilities to construct and authorize natural gas pipeline facilities. Under LB1115, introduced by Norfolk Sen. Mike Flood, a jurisdictional utility may implement a plan to [Read more ... ]
Senators considered and passed legislation addressing a wide range of issues this session, including pedestrian and motor vehicle safety, hauling requirements and specialty license plates. LB1030, introduced by North Platte Sen. Tom Hansen, requires that drivers keep a minimum distance of 3 feet when passing a pedestrian, bicycle or electric assistive mobility device traveling in [Read more ... ]
Senators passed legislation this session that will give municipalities increased taxing authority while also providing a number of tax exemptions to spur economic development. Tax adjustments Senators overrode a gubernatorial veto on LB357, introduced by Omaha Sen. Brad Ashford, which allows local option sales taxes to be levied at 1.75 percent and 2 percent, with [Read more ... ]
Senators made several changes to the state’s retirement systems this session. LB916, introduced by the Nebraska Retirement System Committee, makes Internal Revenue Code compliance updates for county, judge, state patrol, school and state employee retirement provisions. The bill: • removes per diems as compensation for purposes of retirement; • allows terminated or retired plan members [Read more ... ]
Oversight and reorganization of the state’s troubled child welfare system topped the list of health and human services issues addressed by lawmakers this session. Child welfare A bill intended to provide a strategic plan and legislative oversight for child welfare programs in Nebraska was approved this session. LB821, sponsored by the Health and Human Service [Read more ... ]