Full publication of ballot initiatives in newspapers could be dropped

The secretary of state would not be required to publish the full text of initiative or referendum measures in newspapers under a bill heard by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jan. 21.

Current law requires weekly publication of the title, text and number of each initiative and referendum measure in all legal newspapers during the three weeks leading up to an election. The Nebraska State Constitution requires the publication of constitutional amendments proposed by the Legislature in at least one newspaper in each county.

LB117, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery, would change the requirement to a publishing notice containing a reference or link to a page on the secretary of state’s website that displays the full text.

Avery said that the average cost for publishing initiatives, referenda and constitutional amendments over the past 10 years has been $460,000. While he lamented the potential loss of revenue for newspapers under his bill, Avery said state subsidization of newspapers is not necessary.

John Miles, representing the Nebraska Press Association, testified in opposition to LB117. He said merely providing notice of constitutional amendments proposed by the Legislature is contrary to the publication requirement set forth in the constitution.

The committee took no immediate action on the bill.