Strengthening of address confidentiality advanced

A measure intended to strengthen confidentiality laws related to the residences of members of certain professions in Nebraska cleared the first round of debate April 29.

Under current law, a county assessor and register of deeds are required to withhold from the public the residential address of law enforcement officers, some members of the Nebraska National Guard and judges who live in the county and apply in writing.

LB166, sponsored by Seward Sen. Jana Hughes, would add county treasurers to the list of local officials who are instructed to withhold qualifying residential information.

Hughes said civil servants who are deemed to be at greater risk if their personal information is disclosed may apply to have that information withheld for a period of five years.

“Considering that these individuals, who serve our communities and our state, can be targets for harassment or worse, this makes sense,” Hughes said.

County treasurers, however, currently are not required to comply with this law, she said. As a result, those residential addresses are readily accessible by clicking on the treasurer’s link for property tax payment information on the county assessor’s website.

A Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee amendment, adopted 37-0, would add provisions of Hughes’ LB334. Those provisions would specify that forms that include information about a judge’s place of residence related to filing for retention in office with the Nebraska secretary of state are not public records and not subject to disclosure.

Following adoption of the committee amendment, lawmakers gave LB166 first-round approval on a 39-0 vote.