The Nebraska Legislature would meet 45 fewer legislative days each biennium under a proposed constitutional amendment heard by the Legislature\u2019s Executive Board Feb. 4.<\/p>\n
LR5CA, introduced by Omaha Sen. Bob Krist, would reduce the maximum number of legislative days in odd-numbered years from 90 to 60 and cut the maximum days in even-numbered years from 60 to 45. If approved by 30 senators, LR5CA would be placed on the ballot for voter approval during the 2012 general election.<\/p>\n
Krist said 150 legislative days in a biennium is excessive for a citizen legislature. Twenty states have legislatures that meet for fewer days, he said, including Virginia \u2014 a state with 4.5 times the population of Nebraska.<\/p>\n
With fewer legislative days, Krist said, more meaningful and focused legislation would be considered and senators would be away from their jobs and families less.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith longer interims and the ability for us and our staff to investigate and research potential bills and their impact on stakeholders, I think the end result will give us better legislation being produced and introduced,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Krist said cutting a third of the legislative days would save between $400,000 and $500,000.<\/p>\n
Appropriations Committee chairperson Sen. Lavon Heidemann expressed doubt that the state\u2019s biennial budget could be crafted in a session shorter than 90 days.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know when we would have time to build a budget in 60 days,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Lexington Sen. John Wightman expressed concerns about the redistricting process, which he said could require more than a 60-day session.<\/p>\n
Krist said the Legislature could call a special session to accomplish redistricting when needed.<\/p>\n
No one testified in support of or in opposition to LR5CA, and the committee took no immediate action on the proposed constitutional amendment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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