Proposed constitutional amendment would shorten legislative sessions

The Nebraska Legislature would meet 45 fewer legislative days each biennium under a proposed constitutional amendment heard by the Legislature’s Executive Board Feb. 4.

LR5CA, introduced by Omaha Sen. Bob Krist, would reduce the maximum number of legislative days in odd-numbered years from 90 to 60 and cut the maximum days in even-numbered years from 60 to 45. If approved by 30 senators, LR5CA would be placed on the ballot for voter approval during the 2012 general election.

Krist said 150 legislative days in a biennium is excessive for a citizen legislature. Twenty states have legislatures that meet for fewer days, he said, including Virginia — a state with 4.5 times the population of Nebraska.

With fewer legislative days, Krist said, more meaningful and focused legislation would be considered and senators would be away from their jobs and families less.

“With longer interims and the ability for us and our staff to investigate and research potential bills and their impact on stakeholders, I think the end result will give us better legislation being produced and introduced,” he said.

Krist said cutting a third of the legislative days would save between $400,000 and $500,000.

Appropriations Committee chairperson Sen. Lavon Heidemann expressed doubt that the state’s biennial budget could be crafted in a session shorter than 90 days.

“I don’t know when we would have time to build a budget in 60 days,” he said.

Lexington Sen. John Wightman expressed concerns about the redistricting process, which he said could require more than a 60-day session.

Krist said the Legislature could call a special session to accomplish redistricting when needed.

No one testified in support of or in opposition to LR5CA, and the committee took no immediate action on the proposed constitutional amendment.