NONPROFITS SHARE $5.7 MILLION IN STATE GRANTS FOR URBAN 'WORKFORCE HOUSING'

LINCOLN- Over the weekend, it was announced that three nonprofits have been awarded a total of $7.5 million in state funds to construct more affordable housing in urban areas of the state. The grants, which required at least a 50% match from the nonprofit, are the latest allotments from the state's Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Fund, which was established by the Nebraska Legislature in 2020.

According to Sen. Tony Vargas, roughly $10 million remains in the three-year-old fund, which aims to expand housing in older and higher-minority neighborhoods in Douglas, Sarpy, and Lancaster Counties. Vargas went on to state that he'd like to see the remaining funds disbursed by the Department of Economic Development quicker than in the past, since that will allow Nebraska to better meet the growing housing demand.

"This is about economic development for the working and middle class," said Vargas, adding that he would like to continue to push for more funding for the program, especially after Gov. Jim Pillen vetoed legislation that would have added $20 million to the Middle Income Housing Fund and another $20 million to a similar fund meant to build rural affordable housing. Winning recipients of the latest disbursement include Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, Holy Name Housing Corporation, and Nebraska Housing Resource.

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NEBRASKA'S LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY HITS RECORD JOB STRIDE AFTER PANDEMIC PLUNGE

OMAHA- The latest from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that employment in Nebraska’s leisure and hospitality industry not only surpassed the pre-pandemic high earlier this year, but around March it exceeded 97,000 for the first time. The seasonally adjusted job count in leisure and hospitality — a “supersector” that includes arts, entertainment, recreation, lodging and food services — dipped a bit later but has been trending around the all-time high for the last few months.

This is seen as a milestone within the industry given the blow received from the Covid-19 pandemic. “This is the sector that took the biggest dive nationwide, so it’s a good mark for Nebraska,” said Michael Lucci, senior policy adviser of the Platte Institute of Nebraska. In the months following the onset of the pandemic, the industry lost 40,000 jobs just within Nebraska.

Lucci said Nebraska has performed 13th best nationally in terms of job growth in the leisure and hospitality market since the pandemic-induced plunge. He said 31 states have yet to get back to the employment levels they saw in those areas before March 2020. Not every sector has felt the same bounce as this industry according to Lucci. The state is in a good spot, but has many milestones yet to be achieved.

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ERROR ON PETITION FIXED, EFFORT TO REPEAL SCHOOL CHOICE LAW PROCEEDS AFTER 'HICCUP'

LINCOLN- Following the filing of a petition by the Nebraska State Education Association and Support Our Schools Nebraska to repeal the legislature's recently-passed school choice law, the Nebraska Secretary of State's Office provided a corrected petition this week after a minor mistake was detected in the original paperwork. Details surrounding the mistaken filing are unclear as of this time.

Opponents of school choice, including the two aforementioned organizations, called the mistake a small 'hiccup,' and confirmed, alongside the Secretary of State, that all previous signatures, of which there were around 10,000, will be honored on the new petition. The ballot initiative seeks to repeal LB753, or the Opportunity Scholarships Act, which allows taxpayers to divert up to half of their state income taxes to organizations providing scholarships for children seeking to attend private or parochial schools.

To place the initiative on the ballot, the Education Association and Support Our Schools must turn in around 61,000 valid signatures in just under 90 days, with a goal of obtaining around 90,000 to account for any mistakes. Proponents of the Opportunity Scholarships Act argue that the new law will allow low-income families to have the same choice of where to send their child to school as more well-off families, while critics say it's a stepping stone for more laws allowing public funding to be diverted to private institutions.

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NEBRASKA RANKS NO. 8 AMONG STATES FOR OVERALL CHILD WELL-BEING IN LATEST KIDS COUNT REPORT

LINCOLN- This year, Nebraska maintained its previous number eight ranking for child well-being in the latest Kids Count data book, which offers trends and a report card on how youths are fairing in each state. The data, which was released on Wednesday, considers 16 different factors across four broader areas, including economy, education, health, and family and community.

Representatives from Voices for Children in Nebraska argued that the state's high overall ranking was driven by efforts in the economic sector, and match up with Nebraska's low unemployment rate, allowing parents to more easily and effectively provide for their children. "Affordable and accessible child care is a necessary precursor to any kind of functional economy," said Juliet Summers, executive director of Voices for Children.

However, Voices for Children also acknowledged, despite Nebraska's terrific child well-being score, that affordable and extensive child care in the state is still a substantial issue for many residents. Indeed, according to the Kids Count data book, the cost of child care has risen nationwide by around 220% since 1990, with lack of staffing becoming a particularly pressing issue as well.

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CONCERNS RAISED FOR NEBRASKA YOUTHS IN FOSTER CARE, BUT PROGRESS IS NOTED IN OMAHA AREA

LINCOLN- Statewide, though mostly in Douglas and Sarpy Counties, 165 kids currently in the system have been transferred to a different caseworker at least 10 times. The Nebraska Foster Care Review Office says this is unacceptable and creates instant instability for children within the system. The caseworker turnover rate is one of the major red flags found in the offices quarterly review report.

Monika Gross, executive director of the watchdog office, said she has seen signs of progress, though, in eastern Nebraska since the state took that area’s case management a year ago from an underperforming Saint Francis Ministries. Gross said that staffing challenges still persist in the state’s largest urban counties and that it is not the time for officials to “let up” on efforts to get the workforce on track for this vulnerable population.

Although it is the major concentration of cases, Omaha has shown improvement. According to the June report, the number of foster children in Douglas and Sarpy Counties who have dealt with 10 or more caseworkers during their time in state custody dropped in a three-month period between December and April — from 275 to 148. DHHS said it will take at least two or three years to see progress needed in such an urban area.

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GOV. PILLEN APPOINTS NEW NEBRASKA CRIME COMMISSION DIRECTOR

LINCOLN- Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Bryan Tuma for Executive Director of the Nebraska Crime Commission following the resignation of the previous director, Don Arp. Tuma is a former Nebraska State Patrol Supervisor and former director for the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. “Bryan has extensive experience in public safety, particularly in law enforcement and in the area of emergency management,” said Governor Pillen.

“He is a five-star recruit for this role – someone who has leadership, administrative, and strategic planning skills that will greatly benefit the Crime Commission and its work in supporting other agencies tasked with protecting the public.” Previous Director Arp submitted his resignation to Gov. Pllen last week, formally, to “pursue career interests outside of state government.” The resignation comes after an article showed a program overseen by Arp, Nebraska’s Crime Victim’s Reparations program, disproportionately helps far fewer victims when compared to other states.

New Director Tuma has worked in state government for nearly four decades. Thirty-two of those years were with the NSP. In 2005, Tuma was appointed by then-Governor Dave Heineman to serve as superintendent of NSP, a position he held until his retirement in 2011. His most recent experience with the state has been as the safety and emergency preparedness coordinator for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

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LEGAL ARGUMENTS IN CHALLENGE TO NEW ABORTION BAN PUT OFF UNTIL JULY 19

LINCOLN- The legal challenge to the state's new law that restricts abortion and transgender health care for minors has had it courtroom arguments delayed until July 19. For now, the law enacted by LB574 remains in effect. After a 15-minute court hearing held via Zoom on Monday morning, Lancaster County District Court Judge Lori Maret decided to continue the court challenge until July 19 at 10 a.m.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the ACLU of Nebraska, who are representing a physician and clinic that perform abortions, maintain that LB 574 violates the Nebraska Constitution’s requirement that legislation be confined to a single subject. They are asking the judge to either rule the law unconstitutional or issue a temporary injunction against it going into effect until their lawsuit is decided.

Meanwhile, lawyers with the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, which is defending the new law, are asking the judge to throw out the legal challenge to LB 574. They maintain that the two aspects of the bill — abortion and transgender rights — are compatible because they both deal with health and welfare, and the powers of the state medical officer. The judge said she wanted to hear the arguments on the motions together, at one hearing, rather than some arguments Monday and others July 19.

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TEMPORARY HARRAH'S CASINO NOW OPEN IN COLUMBUS, NEBRASKA

COLUMBUS- The state now has its third racetrack casino located in Columbus, Nebraska. Caesars Entertainment announced that the temporary Harrah's Casino at Ag Park in Columbus opened this week, signifying the project is on schedule. The casino, inside the current horse racing facility in Columbus, has more than 200 slot machines and electronic table games. It will serve as Harrah's presence in Nebraska until a permanent casino and horse racing track are finished.

The new site, being built northwest of the city on U.S. Highway 81, will feature a casino and sportsbook with more than 500 slot machines and 14 table games, along with a 1-mile racetrack and a hotel. It's expected to open sometime in spring 2024. Harrah's joins casinos in Lincoln and Grand Island and will further boost the tax collected from the states casino pool.

The casino is open daily from 9 AM to 1 AM. Casinos in the state must be required to have a horse track on property. WarHorse Lincoln, which opened in late September, had generated nearly $6.2 million in state and local gaming taxes as of April 30. The Grand Island Casino Resort, which opened in late December, has generated nearly $2.2 million in taxes.

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TURNBACK TAX LEGISLATION ALLOWS LINCOLN OFFICIALS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH CONVENTION CENTER PLANS

LINCOLN- The city of Lincoln's hopes to build a convention center got a favorable boost following this past legislative session. LB732 will allow a portion of state sales tax revenue to fund builds such as the convention center. “Until you have some level of financing, you don’t have a project, you have an idea,” said Dan Marvin, Lincoln’s director of Urban Development. “I think we’ve moved from an idea to something that’s more than that because you have something that can pay for a portion of the building.”

The bill, introduced by Sen. Bostar, extends provisions originally included in the state’s convention center facility financing assistance act until 2030, allowing cities to use 70% of the state sales tax revenue collected by retailers within 600 yards of the convention center to pay for it. The bill was included in a large package of tax-related bills helping assure its passage in the 2023 legislature.

A convention center has been a priority of Lincolns for multiple years and was one of four priorities this year for Lincoln senators. Possible locations include the U.S. post office site, the former Journal Star site, the Midwest Steel site, the Telegraph district, and across the street from the Cornhusker Hotel. The location near The Cornhusker Marriott has gotten a lot of attention, but city officials say no decision has been made.

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CANDIDATES START EMERGING FOR 2024 NEBRASKA LEGISLATIVE RACES

LINCOLN- The 2023 Legislative session may have just ended and the 2024 election is still more than a year away, but at least six candidates have announced they will compete for a seat in the unicameral. The six include one former candidate and five political newcomers. Five are seeking seats now filled by senators who are barred by term limits from running again. One is challenging an incumbent senator.

Fifteen lawmakers will be term-limited in 2024, guaranteeing turnover for those districts and another year of significant change for the 49-member Legislature. Last year saw 14 new senators elected. Along with the two senators who were appointed after the 2022 session, newcomers accounted for nearly one in three seats when lawmakers convened in January.

The candidates are Tracy Hightower-Henne, running for District 13 currently held by Sen. Justin Wayne. Allison Heimes, running for District 39 currently held by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan. Bob Andersen, running for District 49 in hopes of unseating Sen. Jen Day. Kameron Neeman, running for District 27 currently held by Sen. Anna Wishart. Michelle Smith, running for District 33 currently held by Sen. Steve Halloran. Ethan Clark, running for District 41 currently held by Sen. Tom Briese.

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INTERPRETERS WHO WORK IN NEBRASKA COURTS STAGE WALKOUT TO PROTEST PAY

LINCOLN- In protest to their pay, some interpreters for Nebraska's state courts are refusing to go to work. An increase to pay for court interpreters was proposed in the state's two-year budget but was later vetoed by Governor Pillen. There was an attempt to override the veto, but it did not sustain. There is not an official number of interpreters that will be participating in the walkout.

A lack of available interpreters could mean delays in court services, an increased reliance on video interpreters and extra money spent extending some cases. Despite numerous attempts to raise wages for interpreters, there has not been a change since 2004. The current rate is $50 an hour for certified interpreters and $35 an hour for registered and non-certified interpreters, with a two-hour minimum.

The interpreters’ latest requested increase was $85 an hour for certified interpreters and $60 an hour for non-certified interpreters, with a 3% automatic yearly increase. In the Legislature, Sen. Dungan proposed a bill that would appropriate about $1.2 million in the budget to cover rate increases for court interpreters. After debate in the state’s Appropriations Committee, the funding was lowered to about $400,000, and was then eliminated entirely through Pillen’s veto.

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POPULATION GROWTH STRONGEST IN SOME NEBRASKA SUBURBAN AND RURAL COUNTIES

LINCOLN- While Nebraska overall saw a slight population bump, 51 of the state’s counties lost residents between mid-2021 and mid-2022, according to a new census analysis by the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Center for Public Affairs Research. Sarpy and Saunders Counties both grew by about 1.4%. Lancaster County, another population center, clocked in with a smaller 0.4% growth, compared to bordering Otoe County’s 1.2%.

The latest census report also showed some of the strongest annual population growth in a handful of smaller, more rural Nebraska counties, including Frontier, Deuel, Greeley and Dawes. Frontier is home to the University of Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, which has noted plans to expand from about 300 to 500 students within the decade. The campus, in the town of Curtis, also is poised to get a new $12 million student and community center.

During the decade of 2010-2020, Schafer said that 68 of Nebraska’s 93 counties saw their population decline (compared to 51 during the year between July 2021 and July 2022). Nebraska’s latest population estimate of 1,967,923 represents an increase of 0.22% — just above the 50-state median of 0.19%. Nebraska’s statewide growth rate fell short of the rate in bordering states of Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota. South Dakota was among the country’s top performers.

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IN EMAIL TO SUPPORTERS, PILLEN CLAIMS SESSION A VICTORY

LINCOLN- Following his first Legislative session, Gov. Jim Pillen claimed a victory as he reflected on the work. In an email to supporters, Pillen said the job has been a privilege and simply incredible. He began by reiterating why the people of Nebraska voted for him saying, "You elected me to office with a clear mandate to make transformational change in the areas most important to our future: our kids; our tax code; our agricultural industry, the backbone of our economy, and our conservative Nebraska values." 

Pillen said the 2023 Legislative session produced the most wide-ranging package of commonsense reform in state history from his point of view. He went on to highlight contents of the session such as $6 billion in property and income tax relief; reforming TEEOSA and investing in students; capping spending at 2%; school choice via the Opportunity Scholarships Act; a 12-week abortion ban; constitutional carry rights; creation of the Nebraska Broadband office; securing water rights; and funding law enforcement. 

The message ended by saying there is still more to be done. Property taxes, lifting up more kids, and addressing mental health challenges are all still on the agenda, but the state must celebrate for now. He noted a plan to win 38 of the 49 seats in the Legislature and further fight for 'commonsense, conservative values'. He signed off by saying, "Together, we can."

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NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE WORKED OVERTIME THIS SESSION AND RACKED UP EXTRA COSTS

LINCOLN- The 2023 session of the Nebraska Legislature had an unprecedented string of debate-extending filibusters, as well as more night sessions than ever. As debate would often stretch past 11 p.m., pages and red-coated sergeants received many more hours than in past sessions. The legislative accounting office announced that costs for that group rose 23% this year compared to the last 90 day session in 2021.

Overtime payments for the clerk’s office, revisor of statutes, legislative fiscal office and sergeants of arms this year were more than double what was spent in 2021. The Nebraska State Patrol devoted 14% more hours. “There was a lot of strain on them this session,” State Sen. John Arch, the Speaker of the Legislature, of legislative staffers. “They’ve got work ethic like you wouldn’t believe,” said the Clerk of the Legislature, Brandon Metzler, of his staff’s willingness to work nights and rearrange schedules.

The night sessions continued every week starting March 28 and continued nearly every day. The exception was the last day of the week when lawmakers traditionally work through lunch and adjourn in early- or mid-afternoon to facilitate long drives home for rural senators. Lunch breaks at noon were shortened from 90 minutes to 60 minutes, to provide more time for floor debate. And a nightly supper break lasted only 30 minutes.

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NEBRASKA'S TAX REVENUES CONTINUE TO FALL BELOW FORECASTS

LINCOLN- Despite optimistic predictions for the state's economic future, Nebraska's tax revenues continue to fall below projections, according to the Nebraska Department of Revenue, which produced data indicating a $53 million shortfall from October 2022 to May 2023. Despite this, Sens. Lou Ann Linehan and Robert Clements, Chairs of the Legislature's Revenue and Appropriations Committees respectively, aren't concerned.

In fact, Clements argued that the shortfall will be "easily absorbed" by around $70 million left unspent this year by the legislature. Sen. Linehan echoed a very similar sentiment. "If there's a squeeze on our economy, I'm not seeing it," she said. However, in May alone, Nebraska's next tax receipts were 8.7% below the original forecast, with corporate income tax down 226.5% and tax refunds up a staggering 29.5%, from a projected $152 million to $197 million.

Although slight changes were made to the Revenue Committee's forecast prior to the finalization of the Legislature's two-year budget, neither Clements nor Linehan believes any new information would have changed how the recently-passed budget turned out, even if the most recent shortfall was observed earlier. "We're not teetering on the edge here," said Linehan, adding that income revenues will stabilize in the near future as a result of events like the College World Series.

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GOVERNOR PILLEN ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR NEBRASKA CRIME COMMISSION

LINCOLN- On Friday, Gov. Jim Pillen announced his appointment of former Nebraska State Patrol Supervisor Bryan Tuma as the next executive director of the Nebraska Crime Commission, replacing Don Arp, who submitted his resignation to the governor this week. "Bryan has extensive experience in public safety, particularly in law enforcement and in the area of emergency management," said Pillen in a press release, "He is a five-star recruit for this role."

Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly echoed Gov. Pillen's sentiment about Tuma, noting that he had worked with the former State Patrol Supervisor many times over the years. "Bryan Tuma is a perfect fit for this position," said Kelly, "He has earned an outstanding reputation in the law enforcement and emergency management fields."

Tuma has worked in state government for nearly four decades, and has 33 years of experience in the State Patrol. In 2005, Tuma was appointed by then-Gov. Dave Heineman to serve as superintendent of Nebraska State Patrol until his retirement in 2011. After working in the private sector for a time, Tuma came back to state government and worked as the assistant director of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. Arp, who is being replaced by Tuma, has worked in the position since 2019.

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GOV. JIM PILLEN APPROVES INSULIN PRICE CAP IN NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, Gov. Jim Pillen signed Sen. Bostar's long-awaited LB799, which caps the price of life-saving insulin at $35 per month in the state. Starting on January 1st, the cap will only apply to the out-of-pocket cost of prescription insulin. Sen. Bostar's original measure was amended into LB92, the package of bills that were signed by Gov. Pillen.

Nebraska, having enacted the insulin cap measure, is now in line with 23 other states, as well as the District of Columbia, that have enacted similar proposals. "More than 700,000 Nebraskans either have or are at risk for diabetes," said Gary Doughert, director of state government affairs for the American Diabetes Association, "So, we're talking about a lot of people."

Between 2012 and 2021, the price of insulin nearly doubled across the country, with many unable to purchase the essential medication. According to Jina Ragland, advocacy director for AARP of Nebraska, this heightened price forced Nebraskans to make tough decisions. "That's very concerning when they're making a choice about whether they're paying for the out-of-pocket cost of their insulin or their medications," said Ragland, "or whether they're having to choose not going to the grocery store and buying their basic necessities of food."

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STATUE OF NEBRASKA ICON WILLA CATHER UNVEILED IN U.S. CAPITOL

WASHINGTON, D.C.- On Wednesday, a new bronze statute of Willa Cather was unveiled in the U.S. Capitol just feet away from another depicting Ponca Chief Standing Bear, making her the second Nebraska icon to be memorialized there. "A lot of history was made in this room, but a little history is being made today" said Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy at the unveiling ceremony, standing alongside Gov. Jim Pillen, Sens. Pete Ricketts and Deb Fischer, and Reps. Mike Flood and Adrian Smith. 

The sculpture has created by Omaha-based artist Littleton Alston, who became the first African-American artist to have a statue in the Capitol's collection. "Our nation's heroes are memorialized here in marble and bronze. Today, Willa Cather, the Nebraskan novelist and national icon, joins them," said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, "She becomes the first Pulitzer Prize Winner and 12th woman represented in the National Statuary Hall collection."

Others who gave speeches include Gov. Jim Pillen, Rep. Adrian Smith, and Sen. Deb Fischer, all of whom cited Cather's writings as particularly representative of Nebraska's culture and people. Cather's statue replaces that of J. Sterling Morton, famous for establishing Arbor Day but later becoming better known for his pro-slavery attitudes. Chief Standing Bear's statue, in 2019, also replaced a historical figure, William Jennings Bryan. 

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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION REMOVES BARRIERS FOR NEBRASKA TEACHERS TO HELP ALLEVIATE SHORTAGE

LINCOLN- The landscape for future Nebraska teachers is on its way to becoming easier to navigate following the revision of several state regulations by the State Board of Education, which were made during its June 2nd meeting. According to Brad Dirksen, an accreditation administrator with the Nebraska Department of Education, the revisions still have to be approved by Attorney General Hilgers and Gov. Pillen before they take effect.

"The Board is really eager to make some real changes in the regulations to hopefully get teachers into the classroom," said Dirksen, "It's really about removing barriers, but also retaining quality of teachers, because we don't want to lower standards for teachers and classrooms." One of the revisions approved by the Board makes it far easier for teachers to regain certificates that have been expired for five or more years to allow for more retirees to come back and fill district shortages. 

Another revision will allow individuals with college degrees, and at least 75% of the course requirements for a teaching endorsement, to secure certification more easily, provided they also take a subject area exam, which is a different procedure than the basic skills test struck by Gov. Pillen last month. "During this time of severe education workforce shortages, removing barriers to licensure is a priority," said Sara Skretta, a senior director and certification officer at UNL, "The expansion of alternative pathways is a positive addition, and this should assist school districts in hiring classroom teachers with training."

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DON'T PUT THOSE MOTORCYCLE HELMETS AWAY YET, NEBRASKA LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS SAY

LINCOLN- Barely a week after the Nebraska Legislature voted to repeal the state's motorcycle helmet mandate, and according to local law enforcement agencies, there has already been a large uptick in motorcyclists riding without their helmets. Although no concrete date has been released, the Lincoln Police Department and Lancaster County Sheriff's Office each reported this week that street officers have observed a noticeable increase in the practice.

The main problem, according to the agencies, is that Nebraska's helmet mandate, which has been in place since 1989, doesn't expire until January 1st. "From now until then," said Chief Deputy Sheriff Ben Houchin, "you still need to wear a helmet." Until then, according to Houchin and the Sheriff's Office, helmetless riders risk earning a $50 fine for violating the mandate, despite the passage of Sen. Hansen's LB138, which kills the mandate.

When the bill officially becomes law in January, motorcyclists or passengers over the age of 21 will be allowed to ride without a helmet, provided they complete a basic motorcycle safety course and submit proof of completion to the state's Department of Motor Vehicles. According to date from the Department of Transportation, over 86% of motorcyclists killed in Nebraska crashes were wearing helmets. However, in states like Missouri, where similar repeals have passed, motorcyclist fatalities increased by 35% over a one-year period.

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