Public records, hall of fame measure passed
A proposal that addresses open meetings, legal notices, public records and Nebraska Hall of Fame requirements passed April 10.
LB596, introduced by Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, authorizes digital news publication of legal notices as an alternative to print newspapers, if a digital news publication does not also have a print version. It also clarifies definitions of digital newspapers and electronic editions of print newspapers for purposes of legal notices.
The measure includes provisions from the following seven measures dealing with open meeting requirements and public records:
• LB739, sponsored by Bellevue Sen. Victor Rountree, which changes the county newspaper public notice requirement for a legal name change from four consecutive weeks to two;
• LB869, introduced by Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara, which requires that the state treasurer’s annual unclaimed property list include information on how to search for unclaimed property and be published in each legal newspaper of general circulation in every county;
• LB896, sponsored by Hastings Sen. Dan Lonowski, which increases the marriage license fee from $25 to $50 and the cost of certified copies issued by county clerks from $9 to $16;
• LB898, introduced by Lonowski, which adds three additional public bodies to the list of those authorized to hold virtual meetings: the Semiquincentennial Commission, the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Historical Society and local foster care review boards;
• LB919, sponsored by Sanders, which updates four sections of state law governing the preservation of certain public records to allow the use of media other than microfilm or microfiche;
• LB923, introduced by Sen. Stan Clouse of Kearney, which contains a number of cleanup provisions related to the duties of county clerks; and
• LB1145, sponsored by Lonowski, which requires public bodies subject to open meetings requirements to provide reasonable advance notice by a method designated by the public body and recorded in its minutes.
Finally, the bill includes provisions of Lonowski’s LB1159, introduced at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen, which require that the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission name one inductee before Jan. 1, 2027. The inductee must have a demonstrated record of achievement in public service, leadership in collegiate athletics and volunteer youth mentorship activities.
The measure also eliminates the requirement that an individual have been dead for at least 35 years before being eligible for induction into the Nebraska Hall of Fame.
LB596 passed on a 46-3 vote.
