INTERNET OPTIONS TO GROW IN RURAL NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Farm Bureau announced a new push to provide additional broadband to rural Nebraska. The Farm Bureau said it has partnered with Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, to provide service to its members. “We are excited to work with Starlink to deliver high-speed broadband to rural areas in Nebraska that are underserved,” said Mark McHargue, president of the farm advocacy group.

The service price has not yet been determined, but it is expected to be around $100 a month. “We continue to hear from our members that farms, ranches, rural households, and businesses struggle with getting access to reliable high-speed internet," McHargue said. "Whether you are 20 miles from Lincoln or Omaha or in the Sandhills, the thing we hear the most is that quality service and speed is just not available."

Starlink avoids building access lines by providing wireless service from more than 4,000 satellites orbiting the Earth. “Starlink is ideal for those who live and work in rural communities, and we couldn’t be more excited to work with the Nebraska Farm Bureau to offer reliable high-speed internet coverage to the last acre for farmers and ranchers across the state,” said Chad Gibbs, SpaceX’s vice president of Starlink Business Operations.

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PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPPORTERS LAUNCH DRIVE TO PUT SCHOOL CHOICE ON BALLOT

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, the public schools advocate group Support Our Schools Nebraska announced that it would be launching an effort to place a referendum before voters on the newly-passed school choice law. With just 90 days to do so, the group must garner at least 90,000 signatures from registered voters if the issue is to be placed on the 2024 ballot.

The school choice measure, which was implemented into law through Sen. Lou Ann Linehan's LB753, offers Nebraskans generous tax breaks for donations toward scholarships for students to attend private or parochial schools, but is seen by education groups as a "foot-in-the-door" for even more controversial school choice measures, such as voucher programs or state-funded charter schools. Opponents of school choice, through the ballot initiative, seek to reject the diversion of state tax funds from public schools toward private schools, which some argue are allowed to freely discriminate against certain religions, ethnicities, or gender identities.

However, proponents of the newly-passed measure, including Gov. Jim Pillen, argue that it would offer more options for "vulnerable and at-risk children" at a time when state funding for public education has been increasing dramatically. Tom Venzor, executive director of the Nebraska Catholic Conference, called the petition drive "disgraceful" and all-out political warfare against children in need of better educational opportunities." T. Michael Williams, a Baptist preacher from North Omaha, was the first to sign the petition, arguing that the new school choice law won't help a majority of children of color or who reside in low-income areas of the state.

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THREE RIVERS HEALTH DEPARTMENT REPORTS HUMAN CASE OF WEST NILE VIRUS

LINCOLN- A human case of the West Nile Virus was confirmed Monday in the Lincoln area, according to the Three Rivers Public Health Department. The person who tested positive did not need to be hospitalized, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The department covers Dodge, Saunders, and Washington counties.

The department said people should limit their time outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active to avoid bites. People can also wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, shoes and socks when outside and use an EPA-registered insect repellent. Most people who are infected will have no symptoms or mild flu-like symptoms, according to the department.

West Nile virus is transmitted through mosquito bites from bugs that have fed on infected birds, then transmitting the virus to humans. This case was detected earlier than usual in the season. Typically, human cases don’t peak until late July or early August. Because of the early case, the health department began trapping mosquitoes within its jurisdiction Monday, a step it doesn’t usually take until mid-June.

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U.S. SUPREME COURT WEIGHS IN ON NEBRASKA 'HOME EQUITY THEFT' CASES

LINCOLN- Action Monday by the nation’s highest court voided two decisions of the Nebraska Supreme Court that upheld what critics have been calling state-assisted “home equity theft.” Two cases have been sent back to the Nebraska Supreme Court to be reconsidered following a decision in a similar Minnesota case. All nine justices in that case, Tyler v. Hennepin, agreed that the tax sale process in Minnesota’s Hennepin County (akin to that of Nebraska’s) was unconstitutional and violated the “takings clause.”

State Sen. John Cavanaugh called the decision a reinforcement that he and others seeking to change Nebraska's delinquent tax sale process were on the correct side. Reconsideration of the two Nebraska cases could bring good news to plaintiffs in the cases of Kevin and Terry Fair of Scottsbluff and Sandra Nieveen of Lincoln. In both cases, the Nebraska Supreme Court upheld the state’s tax sale process laws but allowed the families to stay in their homes pending the outcome of the U.S. Supreme Court.

“It has taken a long time to get to this point,” said Jennifer Gaughan, chief of legal strategy for Legal Aid of Nebraska, which represented both homeowner families in state court. “We look forward to resolving these cases and seeing justice served for our clients who have lived for years under the stress of not only the threat of homelessness but also the loss of equity in their property without any compensation — stripped of their only asset and left with nothing to be able to get another place to live.”

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NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HEAD A LIFELONG NEBRASKAN WITH QUARTER-CENTURY OF PROMOTING RURAL AREAS

LINCOLN- Attracting both people and businesses to Nebraska will be the main focus of K.C. Belitz, the states new top economic developer. Belitz, a former longtime head of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, said economic developers today must deal with issues dramatically different from a decade or so ago. Housing and child care, for example, are among services that “clearly are part of the puzzle,” said Belitz.

Gov. Jim Pillen announced Belitz as his choice to lead the Department of Economic Development, which has 130 full-time positions and has quickly grown with new grants and programs funded in part through federal pandemic dollars. Belitz, who hails from Pillen’s hometown, replaces Tony Goins, who resigned April 5 from his $215,000-a-year-job amid conflict of interest questions. According to a department spokesperson, the DED’s base budget this fiscal year is $881 million, up from about $58 million and 68 full-time positions five years ago. 

Pillen said the search for the new DED director was typical. He said that  there was “tremendous interest” for the advertised position and that three finalists were interviewed. He said he sought a director who understands “how important the culture of an organization and a team is,” and who hits the sweet spot with energy, experience and enthusiasm. Belitz is to step into the post July 5. Pillen said. 

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NEBRASKA ATTORNEY GENERAL ASKS COURT TO REJECT INJUNCTION ON ABORTION, GENDER CARE RESTRICTIONS

LINCOLN- Last week, following the introduction of a lawsuit against LB574, a new law that bans gender-affirming care for minors and abortion after 12 weeks, Attorney General Mike Hilgers, alongside Assistant Attorneys General Christopher Felts, Jennifer Huxoll, and Erik Fern, called on the Lancaster County District Court to reject a request contained within the lawsuit to temporarily block enforcement of the two restrictions.

The lawsuit, which was introduced by the ACLU of Nebraska and Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, argues that LB574, which was recently signed into law, contains two distinct subjects, which goes against a provision of the Nebraska Consitution. Hilgers, Gov. Pillen, Dannette Smith, Charity Menefee, and Timothy Tesmer are all named in the lawsuit. Smith is the CEO of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, while Menefee is the director of the agency and Tesmer is the chief medical officer. The agency is set to determine the state's stance on puberty blockers and hormone treatments for minors, an authority given to them through LB574.

Hilgers and his team argue that the Lancaster County District Court is being forced, through the ACLU and Planned Parenthood lawsuit, to be the first Nebraska court to find that an act of the Legislature violates the state's single-subject legislative requirement. However, an 1899 case in Nebraska, formally titled Weis v. Ashley, has already found a legislative act violating the single-subject rule. The ACLU of Nebraska filed a response to Hilgers' request, but it has not yet been released to the public.

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NEBRASKA LEGISLATORS, IN A RARE MOVE, REJECT HIRING BY A STATE AGENCY

LINCOLN- Last Wednesday, in a move not often used by the Nebraska Legislature, state lawmakers voted to reconsider, and ultimately reject, a state agency appointment--the hiring of Jason Hayes as the new director of the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Systems. Prior to being struck down by the Legislature, Hayes had been previously approved by the governing body of the agency, as well as Gov. Pillen and the Legislature's own Retirement Systems Committee.

Hayes currently works as a lobbyist for the Nebraska State Education Association, and was slated to replace Randy Gerke, who is retiring from the director position. Sen. Danielle Conrad, on Wednesday, asked that the vote on Hayes' hiring be reconsidered, believing that additional consideration and questioning were necessary to confirm Hayes due to the "compressed nature" of the 2023 legislative session, and because there were concerns arose about the confirmation last week.

Conrad's call for reconsideration prompted a drawn-out debate about the work experience and qualifications of Hayes, with Sen. Linehan, who had previously scrapped with the teachers union this year over school choice, raising questions about Hayes' ability to run the 56-employee public retirement agency. "I just don't like how quickly this came up," said Linehan. Sen. Mike McDonnell, chair of the Retirement Committee, defended Hayes. "I think the process was fair, and his qualification and experience are outstanding," he said, "We should not change our votes." Despite these pleas, the Legislature voted 20-14 to approve the confirmation, which was five votes short of the majority needed to advance it.

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RURAL NEBRASKA FACES OUTSIZED IMPACT OF GOVERNOR'S BUDGET VETOES

NORTH PLATTE- Following the Legislature's decision to uphold two of Gov. Pillen's several vetoes, many in western Nebraska expressed despair at the potential impacts. Just over two weeks ago, Gov. Pillen struck down a second year of increases in Medicaid reimbursement rates and millions of dollars earmarked to build Rural Workforce Housing. Dr. Jed Hansen, executive director of the Nebraska Rural Health Association, called the upheld vetoes a "gut punch."

According to Dr. Hansen, all of Nebraska's hospitals and nursing homes will be negatively impacted by the governor's decision, but especially those situated in more rural or remote parts of the state, where more than 60% of hospitals operated at a deficit last year. "So, the narrative the governor had used, that hospitals were better off financially coming out of the pandemic, just wasn't true," asserted Dr. Hansen, "And [that] especially wasn't true for our rural hospitals."

Johnathan Hladik, policy director for the Center for Rural Affairs, echoed a similar sentiment for the lack of Rural Workforce Housing funding, calling it the "number on workforce issue" plaguing rural Nebraska. Hladik went on to state that, because of the high cost of building in rural areas, developers will not start such projects on their own without funding from the government, which the governor vetoed. Dr. Hansen also stated that felt betrayed by the vetoes. "We feel that those areas--mental health, maternal care, family care--have been important to [Gov. Pillen]," said Hansen, "He's expressed that those are values that are important to him. And this veto, we just feel, doesn't line up with that."

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LINCOLN SEN. DANIELLE CONRAD SAYS DIVIDED LEGISLATURE DAMAGED, BUT NOT BROKEN

LINCOLN- Following a particularly tumultuous and bitter legislative session, Sen. Danielle Conrad stated that she believes the Legislature, despite its recent challenges, is divided but not fully broken, and that it hasn't been irreparably damaged by the sharp party divides, the onslaught of filibusters, or the weary late-night sessions. "Very few senators was a repeat of the 2023 session," said Conrad, "We have nowhere to go but up and to go up together."

Conrad acknowledged that the sharpest divisions, and perhaps the ones that bent the legislature the most this year, concerned human rights, especially those related to "parental rights and access to medical care." Despite the division created by bills like LB574, Sen. Kauth's controversial gender-affirming care ban, Conrad believes that, because of Nebraska's unique non-partisan, one-house Legislature, personal relationships will be mended as lawmakers inch closer towards the 2024 session.

Indeed, because of its nonpartisan nature, Conrad sees the Legislature as a "firewall from the most radical politics," and believes it serves as "a moderating force" at a time when national politics have launched into an explosive battleground. "Nebraskans are right of center," acknowledge Conrad, "but not interested in partisan dysfunction." Despite the painful and challenging 2023 legislative session, Conrad believes it will be an outlier in Nebraska's history, and will not become the norm.

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AS NEBRASKA STATE SENATORS HEAD HOME, ONE HEADS TO THE BATTLEFIELD IN UKRAINE

LINCOLN- Following a brutal, bitter, and grueling legislative session, Nebraska lawmakers are headed to their homes around the state. However, one lawmaker, Sen. Tom Brewer, a decorated military veteran, is headed straight for the battlefields of Ukraine, a trip that the senator has already made two times previously. Brewer, who is nearing his 65th birthday, figures he can help despite his age. "You go through life and you have skills, and things you've learned," he said, "And you want to use those skills until you physically can't anymore."

Brewer, just as the last few times he went to Ukraine, hopes that a visiting American and former soldier will help boost morale in the war-ravaged county. A veteran of the war in Afghanistan, Brewer also hopes to offer counsel both in the realms of strategy and the use of military equipment. "I was of less value to the last year when they were using Russian equipment," said Brewer, "Now, they're using systems I know. I know the Bradley fighting vehicle, I know the Abrams tank, I know the Stryker armored vehicle."

Brewer left Nebraska last Saturday, and arrived in Ukraine on Sunday. Just as before, Brewer is set to dole out Bibles to wounded soldiers, and was also given personal items by Ukrainian refugees in Texas to give to soldiers and loved ones who remain in the country. On top of that, Brewer also brings to the country speech-secure radios, which will help Ukrainian fighters communicate without betraying their positions to Russian forces.

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NEBRASKA RIGHT TO LIFE RESCINDS ENDORSEMENT OF STATE SEN. MERV RIEPE

LINCOLN- Last Thursday, on the final day of the Nebraska Legislature's 108th session, Nebraska Right to Life, a large political action committee seeking to end abortion in the state, rescinded its endorsement of Sen. Merv Riepe after he failed to advance a near-total abortion ban last month. Sandy Danek, executive director of the organization, said she was "caught off guard" by Riepe's lack of action on LB626, Sen. Joni Albrecht's original abortion restriction bill that failed by just one vote.

In an attempt to compromise, Sen. Riepe, a hospital administrator, introduced an amendment to LB626 that would increase the abortion ban from 6 weeks post-fertilization to 12 weeks, but was soundly denied by his Republican colleagues. "His action compromises the integrity of our long-standing and sought-after endorsement process that pro-lifers have relied upon for decades when making voting decisions," said Danek, "Now that he has aligned himself with the 'reproductive freedom' ideology, he no longer qualifies for NRL's political support."

Danek said in a statement that Riepe had sought out an endorsement from the organization when he ran for the Legislature last year, and even checked a survey box from Nebraska Right to Life that indicated that abortion should be legal "in no case." Despite the rescindment, Riepe said that he understood where NRL was coming from, and that he had a "change of heart" after delving into the issue of abortion. Part of this research, according to Riepe, even revealed that the formal name of LB626, the "Nebraska Heartbeat Act," was a misnomer, since the heart of an unborn child does not form until roughly 17 to 19 weeks past fertilization.

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NEBRASKA COMMISSION FINDS 'NO PROBABLE CAUSE' IN COMPLAINT AGAINST STATE SEN. MEGAN HUNT

LINCOLN- On Friday, the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission announced that it had found no probable cause in an alleged conflict of interest violation filed against Sen. Megan Hunt by Omaha-based attorney David Begley on March 24th. The violation alleged that Hunt had a conflict of interest in the outcome of LB574, which imposed restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors in Nebraska.

Begley, in filing the alleged violation, sought to investigate whether or not Hunt and her son, who is transgender, had a financial stake in the bill's outcome. In an 8-0 vote, the commission found no probable cause to support this allegation. "I'm happy the NADC saw the complaint for the frivolous political attack it was," said Hunt, "What worried me is seeing an increase in these attacks on trans people in this country and the families who love them."

According to the executive director of the NADC, Frank Daley, a conflict of interest that deals with financial benefit must be "reasonably foreseeable," and not based upon "remote, speculative, contingent, or uncertain" assertions. Responding to the ruling, Begley stated that just because a case is dismissed does not make it frivolous. People, according to Begley, can disagree on reasonable foreseeability. LB574, with an abortion restriction amendment attached to it, passed on a 33-15 vote.

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SESSION IN REVIEW: CONSERVATIVES RULED NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE LIKE NEVER BEFORE

LINCOLN- 2023 was a historic year for conservatives within the Nebraska Legislature. Several measures were passed spanning from gun rights to transgender rights. The session was contentious and filled with a significant filibuster. Despite the roadblocks and delays, several conservative laws were passed, unlike any previous session in recent history. A primary reason they experienced success was Gov. Pillen's willingness to converse and work with others.

While having a nearly filibuster-proof majority helps, some democrats pointed to defectors and swing votes which helped conservatives pass major agenda items. Three Democrats in the body, Omaha Sens. Mike McDonnell, Justin Wayne, and Terrell McKinney, provided key votes on conservative priorities. A clear vision also helped the conservative side. Moderate Republicans are becoming more scarce within the body resulting in a clear vision from nearly the top down.

Pillen, despite being knocked as avoiding publicly announced events, worked with state lawmakers more collaboratively. Pillen was instrumental in the passage of a $1 billion education "future fund", which failed in years past. Finally, this year's legislature had plenty of money to spend. Conservatives passed a variety of measures but knew everyone got a chunk if everyone could stick together.

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GOVERNOR PILLEN SIGNS 'TRANSFORMATIONAL' INCOME AND PROPERTY TAX CUT BILLS

LINCOLN- Gov. Jim Pillen signed a pair of income and property tax relief bills into law that he labeled “transformational” and “historic.” The governor signed LB243 and 754 in front of a crowd of supporters from multiple industries. The two measures, along with a third bill making changes to state school aid, are projected to cut or offset more than $6 billion worth of property taxes and income taxes over the next six years.

Pillen claims the new laws will make the state more competitive with other states all while improving life for the daily Nebraskan. “The two bills truly are transformational,” he said. “These bills provide billions, billions — I like to call it bushel baskets and bushel baskets and bushel baskets — of property tax relief, business income tax relief and personal income tax relief.”

LB243 is expected to aid $1.76 billion over six years. LB754 is expected to be about $3.3 billion in changes over six years. LB683 will double the state aid for special education and guarantee $1,500 of state support for every public school student. Gov. Pillen thanked Sens. Linehan, Briese, and Sanders for being instrumental in the tax work this session.

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SENATORS OVERRIDE GUBERNATORIAL VETO OF AUDITOR FUNDS, SUSTAIN OTHERS

LINCOLN- Senators stuck with Gov. Pillen, only overturning one of his line-item vetoes. State Auditor Mike Foley had asked for additional funding, arguing that he was losing auditors to other state agencies because they could offer $20,000 to $30,000 more a year. Pillen originally denied the office the increase in money, but the legislature overrode the governor granting the office an additional $1.2 million.

A large part of the argument on the chamber floor was the delay of audits. The auditor's office has decreased in size from about 60 to 40 employees, largely delaying audits. The vote to override the veto was 31-14 with Sens. Hunt and Fredrickson switching their votes from 'not voting'. Other senators warned overriding any veto could spoil the package of bills that the body passed this year.

Pleas from some senators that the Legislature was a “separate branch of government” and that overriding a gubernatorial veto wasn’t anything out of the ordinary or in any way “personal” didn’t resonate. The body upheld vetoes for an increase in provider rates, workforce housing dollars, a reinstatement of the Court Appointed Special Advocates System, and an increase in wages for legislative staff.

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LAWSUIT CHALLENGES NEBRASKA LAW THAT BANS ABORTIONS AFTER 12 WEEKS, GENDER CARE FOR MINORS

LINCOLN- A legal challenge was filed in the Lancaster County District Court against LB574 declaring it unconstitutional on the basis that it violates Nebraska Constitution's single-subject requirement for legislation. LB574 combines a ban on abortions after 12 weeks and restrictions on gender-related care for transgender youths. In addition to seeking a permanent injunction against the law, the suit asks for a preliminary injunction to stop enforcement of the restrictions while litigation is pending. Attorney General Mike Hilgers has requested the court deny the injunction.

The American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Nebraska are representing Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and Dr. Sarah Traxler in the case. Traxler is the chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States and performs abortions. The bill was only signed into place just over a week ago and has an emergency clause that enacted the abortion language on May 23rd. Gender-related care restrictions are to be effective on Oct.1st.

The lawsuit argues that the Nebraska Constitution’s single-subject requirement is a key element of the state's lawmaking process that, taken with other requirements, promotes careful legislative consideration and ensures that legislators remain accountable for their votes. “Although both components of LB 574 took away Nebraskans’ freedoms, ultimately we are talking about two entirely unrelated subjects: gender-related care for trans youth and abortion access,” said Mindy Rush Chipman, ACLU of Nebraska interim executive director.

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GOV. PILLEN SIGNS 'OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS' PROPOSAL INTO LAW

LINCOLN- Gov. Jim Pillen officially signed LB753, also dubbed 'opportunity scholarships'. The bill has been in the works for several years under the wing of Sen. Lou Ann Linehan. “Now when a child in your family or your neighbor’s child or their niece or nephew needs help, you’ll be able to point them in a place where they can find hope,” Linehan said at the bill’s signing.

In its first year, LB 753 would set aside $25 million in tax credits toward scholarships designed to support families of students who otherwise could not attend private schools — a “choice” between public and private schools. The bill sets up a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for individuals or corporations who donate to a “scholarship granting organization” distributing such scholarships for parochial and private schools.

If demand is through the roof, the limit could grow to $100 million in future years. The Nebraska State Education Association has already vowed to work to repeal the law and has laid the groundwork for collecting voter signatures to place the issue on the ballot. Pillen responded to this by saying “Last time I checked, we’re supposed to support every one of our kids so they get the education that they deserve to become an incredible Nebraskan and give back to the state of Nebraska." He also called the $25 million a "drop in the bucket" compared to public schools funding.

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STATE TEACHERS UNION FILES PETITIONS TO REPEAL NEW 'SCHOOL CHOICE' LAW

LINCOLN- The state's teachers union was quick to challenge LB754, a bill allowing generous tax breaks for donations for private schooling. The effort, by a group called “Support Our Schools” and backed by the Nebraska State Educational Association, seeks to place the issue before voters on the ballot in 2024. The group has filed for a ballot referendum to repeal the bill with the Secretary of State's Office.

“Our goal is to give Nebraskans the opportunity to vote to repeal this harmful bill,” said Jenni Benson, the president of the NSEA and a Support Our Schools Nebraska petition sponsor. Public schools, Benson said, educate nine out of 10 kids in Nebraska, and that “strong public schools support a strong Nebraska and a strong economy.” Benson says it will hurt public schools, services, and infrastructure for years to come.

Gov. Pillen and the bill's sponsor, Sen. Linehan, stood their ground and fired back at the union. Linehan said she was “beyond frustrated” by the NSEA’s claims “especially in a year when the Legislature and the governor have created a billion-dollar education future fund and provided another $305 million in annual funding.” Pillen, in a press release, said he was confident that Nebraska voters would reject any attempt to overturn the law. “The NSEA’s attempt to overturn the Opportunity Scholarships Act is an attack on our kids and their educational opportunities,” Pillen said.

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LAWMAKERS PASS REPEAL OF MOTORCYCLE HELMET MANDATE

LINCOLN- Sen. Ben Hansens LB138, a bill that removes the helmet requirement for motorcyclists, advanced thanks to a 41-0 vote. The helmet amendment to LB138 would allow any motorcyclist or passenger over age 21 who has completed a basic certification course by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to ride without a helmet, starting on Jan. 1, 2024.

Riders from other states could also ride without a helmet in Nebraska if they have taken an equivalent course and carry proof of completion. The bill would require riders and passengers to wear protective glasses or have a windshield on their bikes. The amendment would make helmet law violations secondary offenses, meaning that law enforcement could only ticket riders for helmet violations if they are stopped for some other traffic offense.

The change has been introduced multiple times and has failed each time. The bill would add Nebraska to the list of states that have eliminated or relaxed laws requiring anyone riding a motorcycle to wear a helmet. The Nebraska law has been in place since 1989. It is believed that the state is missing out on major tourism dollars during the motorcycle season as people travel around the state to avoid the helmet requirement.

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NEBRASKA PASSES BILL REQUIRING DYSLEXIA REPORTS, SCHOOL DRESS CODES, TEACHER COMPACT

LINCOLN- This week, state senators gave approval to LB298 which merged K-12 education proposals, tracking dyslexia, clarifying school dress codes and streamlining hires of teachers from other states. Amongst the supporters were Sens. Linehan and McKinney who both expressed they were pleased with the passage of the bill. Linehan also nodded to the bill’s language from a multi-state compact that could make it easier for Nebraska school districts to hire teachers from other states participating in the compact.

Reporting of dyslexia has been a multi-year push from Sen. Linehan. Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that blunts a child’s ability to read. Schools struggle to diagnose some dyslexic students because they perform well in other subjects, she said. The reporting aims to identify students that will then be provided with targeted instruction to ensure the child does not fall behind.

The bill also requires K-12 school boards to adopt written student dress codes and policies for student grooming, part of a proposal McKinney said he aimed at fairness and predictability. McKinney said some schools and school districts have been inconsistent in applying and interpreting dress codes, which has left some students, often students of color, feeling targeted.

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