State claims bill advanced

Claims against the state would be approved by a bill advanced from general file May 3.

If a person sues the state of Nebraska, he or she files with the state claims board. Approved claims exceeding $50,000 must be reviewed by the Legislature.

LB585, introduced by the Business and Labor Committee and modified by a committee amendment adopted 33-0, would approve such claims to the tune of $2.5 million for tort claims and $382,000 for workers’ compensation claims. The bill also includes $1 million in write-offs for fiscal year 2010-11.

Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop offered an amendment to modify the claim approved for the late Joseph White, who was wrongfully convicted for the 1986 murder of Helen Wilson in Beatrice. Lathrop’s amendment would direct the $475,000 claim to White’s estate.

Lathrop’s amendment was adopted 32-0 and LB585 advanced from general file 35-0.