Judicial omnibus measure passed

Lawmakers passed a measure May 30 containing a number of bills addressing sentencing and the courts.

LB150, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Carolyn Bosn, addresses mandatory minimum sentences for habitual criminals convicted of certain theft or controlled substance possession offenses. Under the bill, the mandatory minimum sentence for these crimes is three years, with a maximum not to exceed 20 years.

The measure includes provisions of the following bills:
• LB93, introduced by Lincoln Sen. George Dungan, which clarifies the right to discovery in criminal proceedings;
• LB136, sponsored by Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, which requires that a corporate employer be served only at the address of its registered agent, instead of an employee’s physical workplace, when a garnishment summons is issued for a debtor employed by the corporation;
• LB219, introduced by Dungan, which eliminates a current nine-month minimum post-release supervision requirement for Class III and IIIA felonies;
• LB329, sponsored by Elkhorn Sen. R. Brad von Gillern, which replaces the definition of “school employee” in state statutes relating to sexual abuse with “school worker”;
• LB386, introduced by Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman, which directs the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice to seek and obtain federal funding for a pilot program to improve mental health resources in county jails or other facilities;
• LB412, sponsored by Syracuse Sen. Bob Hallstrom, which allows an individual who has reason to believe he is the biological father of a child to file a civil proceeding to determine paternity;
• LB539, introduced by Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering, which eliminates a requirement that the Nebraska State Patrol establish its own system for conducting criminal history record checks for firearm purchases;
• LB606, sponsored by Holdcroft, which eliminates obsolete references in state law to the Division of Parole Supervision; and
• LB694, introduced by Omaha Sen. Dunixi Guereca, which adds military and veteran status to the existing list of protected classes that cannot be discriminated against in employment, public accommodation, housing and certain government activities.

Finally, the measure delays statewide implementation of the veteran justice program until July 1, 2027.

LB150 passed on a vote of 43-5 and takes effect immediately.