The second session of the 103rd Legislature adjourned sine die April 17. Seventeen senators are leaving the Legislature due to term limits, among them York Sen. Greg Adams, who has served as speaker for the last two sessions. Adams commended his fellow lawmakers for their work—particularly under the time constraints of a 60-day session—on major…
Senators approved an amended bill April 17 that updates the list of banned synthetic drug compounds in Nebraska. The bill advanced from select file following a cloture vote. Introduced by Ogallala Sen. Ken Schilz, LB811 amends one class of currently banned substances under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and adds another class of synthetic cannabinoids…
Lawmakers approved a bill April 17 that limits the governor’s authority during a state of emergency. LB390, introduced by Imperial Sen. Mark Christensen, amends the Emergency Management Act by removing the governor’s authority to suspend or limit the sale, dispensing or transportation of firearms during a state of emergency. The bill includes provisions of two…
Lawmakers gave final approval April 17 to a bill related to the processing of tangible and intangible property. Among other provisions, LB788, originally introduced by Columbus Sen. Paul Schumacher: • creates an acquired or integrated business records exception to Nebraska’s hearsay rule; • provides an exception to the disclosure of confidential information rules to allow…
Senators passed a bill April 17 that requires insurance coverage for children with autism spectrum disorders. LB254, originally introduced by York Sen. Greg Adams, would have renamed the Nebraska Educational Television Commission. A select file amendment struck the bill’s original language and instead incorporated provisions of LB505, originally introduced by Lincoln Sen. Colby Coash. The…
Specialty license plates are available to current and former military personnel under a bill passed by lawmakers April 17. Introduced by Fremont Sen. Charlie Janssen, LB383 creates the Military Honor license plate. To be eligible, current and former service members or their surviving spouses are required to register with the state Department of Veterans’ Affairs….
Lawmakers passed a bill April 10 that affects workers’ compensation and unemployment benefits. LB961, as introduced by Omaha Sen. Tanya Cook, originally would have enabled workers injured due to willful negligence of their employers to seek damages outside of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act. During general file debate, senators adopted a Judiciary Committee amendment on…
School staff members will receive annual training on suicide awareness and prevention under a bill passed by the Legislature April 17. Under LB923, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Amanda McGill, all public school nurses, teachers, counselors, school psychologists, school social workers and administrators will receive at least one hour of training each year, beginning with the…
Lawmakers gave final approval April 17 to a bill intended to address the shortage of primary care providers in rural Nebraska. LB916, introduced by Bellevue Sen. Sue Crawford, removes the requirement for an integrated practice agreement between a nurse practitioner and a collaborating physician and replaces it with a transition to practice agreement. The new…
Senators passed a bill April 17 dealing with optometrist’s scope of practice in Nebraska. LB526, introduced by Omaha Sen. Sara Howard, authorizes licensed optometrists to inject pharmaceutical agents for therapeutic purposes—including an epinephrine autoinjector for treatment of anaphylaxis—and to prescribe oral steroids, oral antiglaucoma medication and oral immunosuppressive agents. The bill passed on a 45-o…
