Hall of fame bill amended into open meeting, public records measure
A proposal that would address open meetings, legal notices and public records requirements in Nebraska was broadened March 31 to include a proposal intended to clear a path for Tom Osborne to be inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame.
LB596, as introduced last session by Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, would authorize digital news publication of legal notices as an alternative to print newspapers, if a digital news publication does not also have a print version.
During the first round of debate, Hastings Sen. Dan Lonowski attempted to add an amended version of his LB1159 to the proposal. That amendment encountered concerns that it constituted “special legislation” — the granting of exclusive privileges or benefits to a specific group or individual — something the Nebraska Constitution prohibits.
The Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission currently selects one inductee every five years and the honor is limited to individuals who have been dead for at least 35 years. Lonowski’s original proposal, introduced at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen, would require that the commission name one living inductee before Jan. 1, 2027.
It also would require that the inductee:
• be a prior member of the U.S. House of Representatives;
• be a former head coach of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln football team;
• have served as Athletic Director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and
• have attended Hastings High School.
Lonowski offered a narrowed version of the proposal during select file debate. The amendment would retain the requirement that the commission induct a member this year, but would limit the criteria to someone who has demonstrated a record of achievement in public service, leadership in collegiate athletics and volunteer youth mentorship activities.
The amendment also would eliminate the requirement that an individual have been dead for at least 35 years before being included in the Nebraska Hall of Fame going forward.
Lonowski said the new version of his proposal would address constitutional concerns, allow for consideration of living Nebraskans for inclusion in the Nebraska Hall of Fame and leave the decision regarding this year’s inductee up to the commission.
“[The amendment] addresses the concern expressed and would make this hall of fame proposal constitutional. It replaces a closed class, which was just for Tom Osborne, with an open class,” Lonowski said.
The amendment was adopted 29-1.
An amendment offered by Norfolk Sen. Robert Dover as a cleanup provision related to the Nebraska Real Estate Commission, originally his LB810, was challenged as not being germane to the underlying bill. That challenge was successful and the amendment was not considered.
Lawmakers then advanced LB596 to final reading by voice vote.
