Budget adjustment package passed

Lawmakers gave final approval March 25 to the Appropriations Committee’s mid-biennium budget adjustment package.

LB1412, introduced by Speaker John Arch of La Vista at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen, is the mainline budget bill. The measure provides, changes and eliminates appropriations for the operation of state government, postsecondary education, state aid, capital construction and federal funds allocated to the state from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

The bill reflects a 3.1% increase in state spending and leaves approximately $20 million to fund legislative proposals this year.

Following the 37-5 adoption of a cloture motion to cease debate, offered by Arch, lawmakers passed LB1412 on a 42-6 vote. The bill took effect immediately.

LB1413, also introduced by Arch at the request of the governor, provides for the transfer of funds and creates and changes the use and distribution of funds. Among other provisions, the bill authorizes transfers from approximately 20 state agency cash funds and places those dollars in the state’s General Fund.

The bill passed on a 37-8 vote following the 35-7 adoption of an Arch cloture motion and took effect immediately.

The governor has five calendar days, excluding Sunday, to sign, veto or line-item veto appropriations within the budget bills.

If budget bills are returned to the Legislature with line-item vetoes, the Appropriations Committee must report on the fiscal impact of the vetoes within one day and may offer a motion to override any or all of them. Thirty votes are required to override a veto.