Session begins, chairperson elected

The second session of the 104th Legislature convened Jan. 6 at 10 a.m.

Senators began bill introduction and elected a new chairperson of the Retirement Systems Committee. The position was vacated due to the resignation of Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist, who left the Legislature in June of 2015 to become chief of staff to Congressman Brad Ashford.

The Legislature elected Sen. Mark Kolterman of Seward over Hyannis Sen. Al Davis to serve as chairperson of the committee. Kolterman, an insurance agent, said he has specialized in employee benefits and retirement plans for more than 30 years.

“We have an obligation to the taxpayers of this state as well as the employees covered under these plans … to ensure that they are kept up to date and managed properly,” Kolterman said. “I believe I have a reputation of working cooperatively and I believe that I’m known as a consensus builder.”

Senators will reconvene Jan. 7 to continue introduction of new bills.

Gov. Pete Ricketts is scheduled to deliver his State of the State address on Jan. 14, and Chief Justice Michael Heavican’s State of the Judiciary is scheduled for Jan. 21.

Committee hearings are scheduled to begin Jan. 19. The session will last 60 legislative days and is tentatively scheduled to adjourn April 20.