Violators of Nebraska\u2019s campaign accountability laws could be ordered to pay hearing costs in contested cases under a bill advanced from general file March 31.<\/p>\n
LB176, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery, would allow the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission to issue an order requiring a person who has violated the Political Accountability and Disclosure Act to pay hearing costs in a contested case. Funds received would be deposited in the commission\u2019s cash fund.<\/p>\n
A Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee amendment, adopted 29-2, would limit the bill\u2019s provisions to only violators who do not appear personally or are not represented by counsel at a hearing.<\/p>\n
Avery said the change was made to address concerns that the bill as introduced would discourage accused violators from contesting a finding to avoid being required to pay hearing costs if they lost. As amended, the bill likely would reduce the commission\u2019s reliance on general fund appropriations by approximately $2,000 per year, Avery said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a modest amount of money,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Omaha Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh questioned whether the amount of money saved through enacting LB176 would be worth the resources expended to pass it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe aren\u2019t doing anything that puts us money ahead,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The bill advanced to select file on a 26-3 vote.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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