Victim reparation changes added to racial profiling bill

Senators advanced a bill from select file April 30 regarding the collection of racial profiling information and Nebraska Crime Victims Reparations Fund requirements.

Omaha Sen. Heath Mello introduced LB99, which, as amended, would remove the sunset date for the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice to collect racial profiling data and would add requirements for the commission and law enforcement.

Omaha Sen. Pete Pirsch offered an amendment that he originally introduced as LB233. The amendment, adopted 29-0, would eliminate a requirement that a victim suffer at least a 10 percent loss of financial resources to qualify for compensation from the Nebraska Crime Victims Reparations Fund.

Pirsch said the amendment would simplify the application process for victims seeking compensation.

The amendment also would remove the requirement that the Crime Victims Reparations Committee include in its biennial report a listing of the names, description of facts and the amount of compensation awarded to applicants. The committee would be required to electronically submit the biennial report to the Clerk of the Legislature.

Mello offered an amendment, adopted 29-0, that made technical changes and eliminated obsolete provisions. The bill advanced from select file on a voice vote.