Modification, elimination of state boards and commissions narrowed, advanced
A proposal to modify or eliminate more than three dozen state-established entities was narrowed and given first-round approval April 24.
LB346, as introduced by La Vista Sen. John Arch at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen, proposes modification or elimination of 46 boards, commissions, committees and councils.
Arch said such entities, which are created by Legislative action, often arise in reaction to a specific event or crisis and are not revisited to see if they remain relevant. There currently are more than 240 such entities statewide, he said, and LB346 is part of an effort by the governor’s office to create efficiencies in state government.
“Periodic review of these government-created boards, commissions, committees and councils is imperative to ensure that they aren’t performing tasks that can be efficiently absorbed by another entity, aren’t carrying out duplicative functions or are no longer serving a purpose as originally intended,” Arch said.
A Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee amendment, adopted 40-0, would narrow the number of entities impacted by LB346 to 40. The amendment would remove changes proposed in the bill related to the:
• Capitol Commission;
• Nebraska Children’s Commission Advisory Committee;
• Nebraska Child Abuse Prevention Fund Board;
• Nebraska Worker Training Board;
• Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board;
• Governor’s Keep Nebraska Beautiful Committee; and
• First Regiment Nebraska Volunteeer Infantry at Fort Donelson Committee.
Arch said the approach taken to the process was that any proposed changes were removed if there was opposition at the committee hearing.
Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad supported the bill and the amendment. Eliminating “antiquated” boards and commissions is good governance, she said.
Such entities can be an important and effective way to encourage civic engagement and bring residents into public service, Conrad said, but many of them have outlived their usefulness or become dormant.
Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha questioned a provision in the proposal that would eliminate the Racial Profiling Advisory Committee and offered an amendment to retain the entity. Racial profiling continues to exist in Nebraska, he said, and lawmakers should work to recruit residents to serve on the committee rather than simply eliminating it.
“We shouldn’t get rid of the committee because of a lack of engagement,” McKinney said.
Arch supported the amendment, even though he said the committee has struggled with attendance and has not met since 2021.
“If we have an opportunity to breathe new life into the racial profiling committee and help it find its purpose once again, that’s what this [process] is for,” Arch said.
Omaha Sen. Ashlei Spivey also spoke in favor of McKinney’s amendment. She said boards and commissions often aren’t given sufficient support or direction. Such entities are like any other startup and need help finding the right mix of people to serve and assistance in building relationships among members to foster success, she said.
The McKinney amendment was adopted on a 33-0 vote. After also adopting a technical amendment offered by Arch, lawmakers advanced LB346 to select file 42-0.
