African American commission requirements updated

Lawmakers gave final approval May 14 to a bill that updates the structure and duties of the state’s Commission on African American Affairs.

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

The bill requires 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 requires 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 ages 18 and 25.

Among other provisions, LB69 also:
• imposes a limit of two four-year terms on commission membership;
• requires an annual report to the Legislature and the governor on the commission’s work;
• requires commission members’ names to be listed on its website;
• requires seven days’ notice for all meetings and announcement on social media, local media outlets and the commission’s website;
• removes a requirement that the executive director be African American; and
• requires meeting minutes to be posted on the commission’s website.

Lawmakers passed the measure on a vote of 45-3.