Senators gave first-round approval May 20 to a bill that would add substances and compounds to the Schedule I controlled substances list. In order to be classified as a Schedule I drug under federal law, a drug or substance must have a high potential for abuse, lack an accepted safe use under medical supervision and…
Senators advanced a bill from general file May 16 that would regulate individuals and entities applying for and acting as navigators in the state’s health benefit exchange. The exchange will be established in Nebraska under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which requires that all exchanges include programs to assist individuals in navigating the new system….
After eight hours of debate spanning two days, an attempt to force a vote on a bill that would repeal Nebraska’s death penalty failed May 14. On its second day of debate, bill sponsor Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha offered a motion to bracket LB543 until May 21, saying additional work needed to be done…
Senators spent May 13 debating a bill that would repeal Nebraska’s death penalty but adjourned before taking a final vote on the bill. LB543, as introduced by Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers, would replace death penalty provisions with the sentence of life without the possibility of parole. The provisions of the bill would apply retroactively to…
Senators gave final approval May 10 to a bill that will allow certain cities to elect up to four city council members on an at-large basis. LB299, sponsored by Hastings Sen. Les Seiler, increases from three to four the number of council members who could be elected at large in a first class city when…
Lawmakers gave final approval May 20 to the eight bills comprising the state’s $7.8 billion budget package. The state budget is structured on a two-year basis, with the budget enacted during legislative sessions held in odd-numbered years. Included in the budget package were: • LB194, which provides for deficit appropriations, passed 49-0; • LB195, which…
Senators gave first-round approval May 16 to a bill intended to expand the use of telehealth services to address children’s behavioral health needs in Nebraska. Lincoln Sen. Amanda McGill, introducer of LB556, said one out of five children in the United States suffers from a mental health condition. Of those children, she said, only 20…
Senators began debate May 16 on a bill that would make changes to the computation of income taxes. LB308, introduced by Columbus Sen. Paul Schumacher, would eliminate the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) calculation for individual state income tax purposes for taxable years beginning Jan. 1, 2014. Schumacher said the AMT originally was intended to…
Lawmakers gave second-round approval May 14 to the eight bills comprising the state’s $7.8 billion budget package. The state budget is structured on a two-year basis, with the budget enacted during legislative sessions held in odd-numbered years. Among the amendments considered on select file was a change to LB195, offered by Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers,…
Lawmakers passed a bill May 15 that adjusts the state aid funding formula for public schools under the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act (TEEOSA). LB407, introduced by Cedar Rapids Sen. Kate Sullivan, reduces the base limitation rate for school districts from 2.5 percent to 1.5 percent for the 2013-14 school year. The rate…
