Day four bill introduction

Senators reconvened Jan. 9 to introduce new bills.

Among the 30 bills introduced were:

LB135, sponsored by Kearney Sen. John Lowe, which would change and eliminate state Department of Agriculture provisions relating to publicity, publications and personnel;

LB139, sponsored by Bellevue Sen. Sue Crawford, which would authorize changes to nonpartisan election of county officials;

LB144, sponsored by Henderson Sen. Curt Friesen, which would change agricultural and horticultural adjusted valuations for calculating state aid to schools;

LB145, sponsored by Lincoln Sen. Matt Hansen, which would provide for a hearing to determine financial ability to pay fines and costs and traffic citations and provide for community service;

LB153, sponsored by Heartwell Sen. John Kuehn, which would prohibit certain officeholders and public employees from being a lobbyist;

LB158, sponsored by Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks, which would change provisions relating to appointment of counsel for juveniles;

LB160, sponsored by Omaha Sen. John McCollister, which would expand the definition of victim as relates to crime victims’ rights;

LB162, sponsored by Omaha Sen. Bob Krist, which would change provisions relating to criminal mischief and change and provide additional penalties for bribing or tampering with witnesses, informants or jurors;

LB163, sponsored by Omaha Sen. Tony Vargas, which would require additional polling places prior to elections in certain counties; and

LR6, sponsored by Crete Sen. Laura Ebke, which would call for a convention of the states to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

A complete list of bills introduced thus far is available at NebraskaLegislature.gov. New bills may be introduced for the first 10 legislative days, or until Jan. 18.

Gov. Pete Ricketts’ State of the State address is scheduled for Jan. 12. Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Heavican will give the State of the Judiciary address Jan. 19.

The session will last 90 legislative days and is scheduled to adjourn June 2.