Government administrative measure approved
An omnibus bill related to purchasing, contracts and administrative procedures was approved by lawmakers May 14.
LB660, sponsored by Omaha Sen. Bob Andersen, creates the Secure Drone Purchasing Act. Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, state agencies or other entities using state funds may purchase only drones that do not present a threat to the state and are:
• cleared by the U.S. Department of Defense Blue UAS program;
• compliant with the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024; and
• designed, maintained modified or operated in a manner incapable of transmitting data to unauthorized persons or entities.
The bill requires the state Department of Transportation’s Division of Aeronautics, in consultation with the Nebraska State Patrol and other entities, to create and maintain a list before Jan. 1, 2026, of secure drones that meet the above criteria and are authorized for purchase.
Also included in the measure are provisions of four additional bills. LB29, sponsored by Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, requires a review every five years of all existing and pending rules and regulations under the state’s Administrative Procedures Act.
A report will then be submitted to the Clerk of the Legislature detailing the necessity of each new rule or regulation, its cost and benefits, processes for measuring effectiveness and whether a new rule or regulation was necessitated by state law, federal mandate or court decision.
Rulemaking will be suspended pending review unless a new rule or regulation is time sensitive, necessary for public health or safety or subject to state or federal legal deadlines.
Provisions of LB445, introduced by Elkhorn Sen. R. Brad von Gillern, create the State Building Construction Alternatives Act. The provisions allow the State Building Division of the Department of Administrative Services to utilize a design-build contract or a construction manager-general contractor contract for state buildings.
The provisions outline the guidelines and selection process for such contracts, and provide waivers and dollar caps on a current requirement that 1% of appropriations for new construction of public-facing state buildings be designated for works of art.
LB662, sponsored by Andersen, creates a new section of law relating to the state’s receipt of federal funds. The provisions require state agencies receiving appropriations from the Legislature to prepare a federal funding inventory every even-numbered year and submit a report to the DAS director.
Finally, the provisions of LB664, introduced by Whitman Sen. Tanya Storer, make a number of changes to the Administrative Procedures Act. The provisions require that agencies considering a new rule or regulation under the act accept comments or written materials from any person by electronic or mail submission.
The provisions also change venue rules regarding where an individual may file a challenge to the validity of a rule or regulation. In addition to the District Court for Lancaster County, venue also will be proper in the petitioner’s county of residence or where their principal place of business or agency headquarters is located.
LB660 passed on a 49-0 vote and takes effect immediately.
