LINCOLN- Most legislation introduced to the Nebraska Legislature features a fiscal impact statement, outlining the costs of introducing the proposal. However, under a set of newly-proposed bills, legislative bills 39 and 54, introduced respectively by Sens. Carol Blood and Terrell McKinney, legislators may have to provide to the Executive Board, if requested, with disability and racial impact statements. According to McKinney, such a change would advance Nebraska's value of "Equality before the Law."

"We must ensure that we pass legislation with all Nebraskans in mind," continued McKinney. During a hearing last Friday, dozens of supporters took to the floor in support of LB 39. including Kathy Hoell, a resident of Papillion, who said lawmakers often pass legislation with "little or no consideration" for those with disabilities. "Our community is very frustrated with able-bodied people making decisions with no consideration of the repercussions," finished Hoell.

Another large group of supporters testified in support of McKinney's LB 54, and many proponents argued that the bill, if passed, would help certain racial populations get more recognition from the Legislature. Jasmine Harris, director of public policy and advocacy at RISE in Omaha, also said that LB 54 would help identify disparities in the criminal and juvenile justice systems.

For the full article click HERE