Lawmakers gave second-round approval May 14 to the eight bills comprising the state\u2019s $7.8 billion budget package. The state budget is structured on a two-year basis, with the budget enacted during legislative sessions held in odd-numbered years.<\/p>\n
Among the amendments considered on select file was a change to LB195, offered by Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers, which would increase funding to the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs by $18,000 per year in fiscal years 2013-14 and 2014-15.<\/p>\n
The commission does important work for Nebraska\u2019s Native peoples, Chambers said, with minimal funding and assistance from the state. Additional funding would help support their mission, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will create, in that office, the opportunity to do a bit more than is being done now,\u201d Chambers said.<\/p>\n
Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery supported the amendment, saying the commission underwent severe budget cuts during the recent recession and long has been understaffed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat agency is run by some of the most competent people in state government,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The amendment was adopted 36-0. Following adoption of a technical amendment on a 39-0 vote, LB195 advanced to final reading by voice vote.<\/p>\n
Lincoln Sen. Colby Coash offered an amendment to LB199, a bill that would make various cash fund transfers. The amendment would incorporate provisions of LB504, originally introduced by Coash, which would expand the commission\u2019s ability to utilize the agency\u2019s Designated Collection Fund.<\/p>\n
Coash said the fund was established by the Legislature in 2010 to address alcohol issues near Whiteclay, Nebraska. However, he said, the law was crafted so narrowly that the commission has not been able to utilize the funds.<\/p>\n
Under the amendment, a political subdivision would be redefined to mean a city, village or county within a 60-mile radius of an Indian reservation or a tribal government that owns land within the 60-mile radius. Current law defines a political subdivision as a city, village or county within 30 miles of a census designated place.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose very narrow parameters assured that only \u2026 Whiteclay could apply for those funds,\u201d Coash said. \u201cThese limitations on this fund have proven to be too limiting.\u201d<\/p>\n
The amendment also would:
\n\u2022 expand grant eligibility to include nonprofit corporations;
\n\u2022 remove the requirement that a political subdivision’s application receive a public hearing;
\n\u2022 add education to the list of items for which a political subdivision may use the funds; and
\n\u2022 allow the commission to use funds directly for economic development, education, health care and law enforcement if no applicants are approved.<\/p>\n
Mello said the Appropriations Committee normally opposes changes to the budget package, but that the Coash amendment did not monetarily alter LB199.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has no fiscal impact on the budget at all,\u201d he said. \u201cIt simply provides flexibility to the Indian Commission.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following adoption of the Coash amendment 37-0, senators adopted a technical amendment on a 38-0 vote and advanced the bill to final reading by voice vote.<\/p>\n
Fullerton Sen. Annette Dubas offered an amendment to LB194 that would require the Legislative Council to contract for an independent study on whether the state should purchase a plane and, if so, which plane would best fit the state\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n
Senators amended the bill on general file to remove funding for the purchase of a 2001 King Air and to require the state Department of Aeronautics to contract for a study of the issue.<\/p>\n
Dubas said the Legislature is the best choice to provide oversight for the study because it is the entity responsible for appropriating any funds that would be spent to purchase a plane.<\/p>\n
Hoskins Sen. Dave Bloomfield supported the amendment, saying Nebraska has many options that should be explored fully.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s get the study done, let\u2019s decide whether or not the state needs to own a plane and then let\u2019s follow where the study leads,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Sen. Scott Price of Bellevue expressed concern about not providing funds in this budget cycle to purchase the plane, saying he felt \u201choodwinked.\u201d Price said several senators had thought that funds for the plane could be appropriated now and used later this year based on the results of an independent study.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am concerned that we are being told that we have no ability to put dollars towards a program and have that acted on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mello explained that the Legislature cannot, in this circumstance, appropriate funds to a state agency and stipulate at a future date how it may be spent. He said lawmakers must wait until next year to take action on the results of the study.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the only way you can do this without crossing the separation of powers issue,\u201d Mello said.<\/p>\n
The Dubas amendment was adopted 25-0 and the bill advanced by voice vote.<\/p>\n
Also advanced to final reading were:
\n\u2022 LB196, which would provide for the $12,000 annual salaries of Nebraska\u2019s 49 state senators;
\n\u2022 LB197, which would fund salaries and benefits for judges and constitutional officers;
\n\u2022 LB198, which would fund capital construction projects and property acquisition;
\n\u2022 LB200, which would provide transfers from the cash reserve; and
\n\u2022 LB536, which would approve claims against the state.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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