African American Commission changes clear first round

Lawmakers gave general file approval May 1 to a bill that would change meeting requirements and duties for the state’s African American Commission.

LB69, sponsored by Omaha Sen. Ashlei Spivey, would make a number of changes to state law governing the commission, which was created by the Legislature in 2020.

Spivey said the commission is in “startup” mode and needs small changes to its structure to make sure that its work matches the purpose it was created to serve.

“I’m really excited to be able to provide better support for the commission to ensure their success,” she said.

As introduced, the bill would require that one of the commission’s quarterly meetings each calendar year be held in the city with the largest African American population in Nebraska. It also would require seven days’ notice for all meetings and announcement on social media, local media outlets and the commission’s website.

In addition, the measure would require that a report of the commission’s work be submitted annually to the Clerk of the Legislature.

A Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee amendment, adopted 38-0, would make several additional changes. The amendment would require that one member of the commission be an individual who identifies as an immigrant or new American and that one member be a young professional between 18 and 25 years of age.

Among other provisions, the amendment also would:
• impose a limit of two four-year terms;
• add the governor as a recipient of the commission’s annual report;
• require commission members’ names to be listed on its website;
• remove a requirement that the executive director be African American; and
• require meeting minutes be posted on the commission’s website.

Following adoption of the committee amendment, lawmakers voted 40-0 to advance LB69 to select file.