NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS REJECT BILL TO MAKE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME PERMANENT

LINCOLN- On Monday, after three days of sporadic floor debate, lawmakers rejected two proposals that would have signaled Nebraska's support for shifting to a year-round daylight saving time if Congress agreed to allow it. A 14-25 vote determined the fate of this proposal. Lawmakers also rejected an amendment that would have gone a different route, establishing a permanent standard time in Nebraska, no matter what other states decided to do.

The bill was originally introduced last year by former Sen. Tom Briese, who had pushed for the idea since 2021. When Briese stepped down from the Legislature, the bill was adopted by Sen. Danielle Conrad. If LB143 had passed, daylight saving would only have become permanent in Nebraska if federal law was changed and if three neighboring states also made the change. So far, two bordering states, Colorado and Wyoming, have made that move, along with 17 other states.

If Nebraska had voted to make daylight saving time permanent, Sen. Steve Erdman argued that the sun would rise as late as 9:10 A.M. on some days. Nebraska's golfing and broadcasting industries also argued against the adoption of the bill, claiming that such a change would make Nebraska an "island," disrupting programming like news and weather reports.

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NEBRASKA SEN. JOHN CAVANAUGH MAKES PITCH FOR ADDITIONAL STEPS BEFORE USE OF EMINENT DOMAIN

LINCOLN- Omaha Sen. John Cavanaugh called for increased regulation and local government approval before a utility or pipeline company could use eminent domain to obtain the right of way for an electric transmission line or pipeline during a Friday legislative hearing. The discussion surrounding LB1366, Cavanaugh's proposal, comes as the issue of eminent domain begins to heat up.

Two companies, Summit Carbon Solutions and Tallgrass Energy, are seeking to build pipelines across Nebraska to transport carbon dioxide captured at ethanol plants. Sen. Cavanaugh said his proposal wasn't designed to target CO2 pipelines in particular, but to ensure that landowners have recourse with their local government, should eminent domain be used.

Under LB1366, a local government or the Nebraska Public Service Commission would have to vote to approve the use of eminent domain. Cavanaugh called his proposal "no condemnation without representation." The bill would also require "good faith" negotiations and the providing of an appraisal to a landowner by a company before eminent domain could be utilized.

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PILLEN VISITS TEXAS AGAIN, PLEDGES MORE BORDER HELP AT NEBRASKA'S EXPENSE

LINCOLN- Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen joined more than a dozen other Republican governors in Eagle Pass, Texas over the weekend, pledging state taxpayer support for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's months-long dispute with President Joe Biden over border security. Pillen has already spent over $1 million in state funds to deploy drone pilots from the Nebraska State Patrol and National Guard to the southern border.

Pillen said he would dip into federal pandemic relief funds to offset the costs to state taxpayers. On Sunday, Pillen pledged even more state help for Texas, but didn't specify whether that would be financial or personnel. He and other GOP governors who have helped Abbott's "Operation Lone Star" say they are trying to stem the tide of illegal border crossings.

Pillen and leaders with the State Patrol have argued that their efforts help to reduce the number of people and illegal substances being trafficked across the border, stating that both of these end up in Nebraska and other states with disastrous consequences for public safety. "We're a border state even though we're in the middle of the United States," Pillen said.

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PUSHBACK MEETS GOVERNOR'S PLAN TO 'STREAMLINE' APPROVAL OF NEBRASKA LIVESTOCK OPERATIONS

LINCOLN- Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, a hog farmer himself, recently requested the introduction of a bill that would eliminate public hearings during county zoning board considerations of permits to allow large hog confinement operations, chicken farms, and feedlots. "The goal is simple: to smooth out the process of obtaining the proper permits and do business at the county level," said Gov. Pillen of the bill.

LB1375, the bill in question, received a wave of opposition at a Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on Wednesday. "This will restrict the opportunity of the public to voice their opinions," said Mark Schoenrock, a Jefferson County board member. He and other testifiers pointed out the inscription above the main entrance to the State Capitol: "The Salvation of the State is the Watchfulness of the Citizen."

Supporters of the bill, however, argued that the bill's intent was not to eliminate a public hearing at the zoning board level, but rather to make it optional and allow written comments instead. The sponsor of the bill, Sen. John Lowe, said he would amend the bill to ensure that public hearings at the zoning board level are still allowed.

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CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR CEO OF NEBRASKA DHHS REVOLVES AROUND RELIGION, SIN, SOCIAL MEDIA

LINCOLN- A legislative hearing on Wednesday to confirm the leader of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services diverted at times from agency goals to religion, sin, social media, and more. DHHS CEO Steve Corsi assumed the seat on September 11th, but faced immediate opposition over past controversies related to his previous service in Missouri and Wyoming, as well as his past activity on Twitter.

Corsi, who holds a doctorate in clinical psychology, said he appreciated Pillen's recognition of how his background and experience may prove beneficial. "I believe when called to public service," said Corsi, "there is only one right answer: yes." During the hearing, Corsi committed to improving DHH's timelines and the quality of economic assistance processing, overhauling the state foster care system, and addressing the needs of early childhood education.

Asked whether or not he had heard that Gov. Pillen planned to cut DHHS spending by 18%, Corsi said he had never heard that number. He also shot down rumors that mass layoffs could come soon to the department. Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, during the hearing, questioned Corsi over his likes, posts, and reposts on Twitter. Corsi walked the committee through each like and post, often veering into religious territory.

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NEBRASKA'S PROPOSED ONE-CENT SALES TAX INCREASE STILL FACES RESISTANCE

LINCOLN- The effort of Sen. Lou Ann Linehan and Gov. Jim Pillen to add one cent to the state's sales tax faced stiff resistance during a Wednesday hearing. Linehan's LB1315, which received backing from the Nebraska Association of County Officials and Nebraska Farm Bureau, is intended to balance the state's "three-legged stool."

More specifically, the bill is meant to help the state provide more property tax relief. Opponents, however, argued that the majority of Nebraskans would be opposed to such a change. Suzan DeCamp of AARP Nebraska told the Legislature's Revenue Committee that the bill would disproportionately harm fixed-income seniors and low-income Nebraskans more broadly.

Doug Kagan of Nebraska Taxpayers for Freedom also argued that Nebraskans want real tax relief, rather than the raising of one kind to make another feel less painful. John Gage of Americans for Prosperity-Nebraska emphasized the need for hard spending caps on K-12 school districts. "We do not like the Legislature's attempt to hike the sales tax and call it tax reform," he told the committee.

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SEN. WAYNE PITCHES SHIFTING THE COST AND OPERATION OF COUNTY JAILS AND COUNTY ATTORNEYS TO THE STATE

LINCOLN- Under two bills introduced by Sen. Justin Wayne, the state would be allowed to take over the management and financing of county kails and county attorneys' offices across the state. A fiscal note released Wednesday estimates that it would cost the Nebraska Department of Corrections roughly $186 million to manage the county jails, while an additional $100 million be shifted off the local property tax rolls if the county attorneys become state-funded "district attorneys" instead.

Wayne, who chairs the Legislature's Judiciary Committee, said the shifts make sense because the state controls who goes to jail anyway via its sentencing laws. "We create the laws, we create the punishment, we should pay for it," Wayne told the Judiciary Committee, "It's a clear unfunded mandate on counties."

The bills faced opposition from the Nebraska County Attorneys Association and the Nebraska Association of County Officials, who argue that such a shift would dilute local control and accountability if an appointed attorney, rather than an elected county attorney, handles local prosecutions. "It's a cost shift," said Michelle Weber, a lobbyist for the County Attorneys Association, "It will not cost less."

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A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW ARMED TEACHERS IN NEBRASKA SCHOOLS PROMPTS EMOTIONAL TESTIMONY

LINCOLN- State Sen. Tom Brewer's proposal that would allow Nebraska teachers and other staff to be armed on school property, one piece of a broader movement to expand gun rights, drew dozens of people to the Nebraska Legislature's Education Committee on Tuesday.

The bill, made up of three parts, would give local school boards the ability to allow off-duty law enforcement to carry guns onto school property, require the creation of detailed maps of school buildings and grounds, and allow teachers and other staff to be armed, so long as they have taken gun handling and safety training.

Sen. Brewer argued that such a bill is necessary to protect Nebraska's rural schools, which could be many miles away from the nearest law enforcement vehicle or department. The bill drew heaps of opposition testimony, including from a teacher who was present during a school shooting in Omaha 13 years ago. Brewer argued that those opposing the bill weren't being fair to schools in rural Nebraska, many of which "are unable to fill law enforcement positions, let alone resource officer positions."

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SEN. CLEMENTS MAKES ANOTHER ATTEMPT OT REPEAL NEBRASKA'S INHERITANCE TAXES

LINCOLN- Sen. Rob Clements renewed his attempt to repeal the state’s inheritance tax, arguing that it was “antiquated, regressive and arbitrary.” Clements, an Elmwood banker and tax preparer, said he’s had grieving clients who have presented tax bills of up to $50,000 after inheriting a farm.

“They may have to sell the real estate they just inherited to pay the tax they owe, or take out a loan to pay it,” the senator told members of the Legislature’s Revenue Committee. But several officials from Nebraska counties — the beneficiaries of the inheritance tax revenue — told legislators that while they don’t like paying the tax, either, repealing it would force them to raise property taxes unless the state provides some alternative revenue source.

“If you take this tax away, we’ll have to put it on property taxes — we don’t have other revenue sources,” said Troy Uhlir, a Madison County Board member. Currently, Nebraska is one of only six states that have an inheritance tax, and one of those, Iowa, will phase out its “death tax” at the end of the year. Under LB1067, Nebraska’s inheritance taxes would be phased out over five years.

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NEBRASKA BILL TO EXPAND PRENATAL MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS ADVANCED TO FULL LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- A bill to expand Medicaid reimbursements for prenatal care to include nutrition counseling and targeted case management has advanced to the floor of the Legislature. LB857, introduced by State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln, would adopt the Nebraska Prenatal Plus Program, similar to ones in Florida and Colorado. Under Dungan’s bill, reimbursement could begin at about six months prior to birth.

The Health and Human Services Committee adopted an amendment intended to tighten up definitions and significantly reduce a sizable fiscal note attached to the bill. LB 857 would apply to at-risk mothers who are Medicaid recipients but not mothers in the Children’s Health Insurance Program. It would also reduce reimbursements to prenatal care, not postpartum care.

“They may seem small, but to the moms who actually take advantage of those programs, they will be huge and they will have a massive impact both on their health and the health of their baby,” Dungan said. The Prenatal Plus Program would be funded through the state’s Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund, instead of the state General Fund.

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LAWMAKERS CONSIDER WHETHER TO EXPAND 'STAND YOUR GROUND' LAW

LINCOLN- "I believe in the principle that all individuals have the inherent right to protect themselves and their loved ones from harm," said state Sen. Brian Hardin. He's proposed LB1269, which gives Nebraska a "Stand Your Ground" law. Hardin said it would line Nebraska up with 38 other states, including all surrounding states, that have case law or written laws that support Stand Your Ground rights.

"The main goal is provide an avenue that an individual who's already a victim of a crime and had to use force in self-defense is not also victimized by the legal system," Hardin said. Nebraska has what's known as Castle Doctrine on the books in its self-defense laws. This allows somebody to protect their home or dwelling. But Hardin said it doesn't go far enough. LB1269 would give a person the right to self-defense wherever they have a legal right to be.

"Requiring a duty to retreat imposes an unrealistic expectation on a person to make a split-second decision about their safety," he said. The bill was supported by many gun rights advocates and has 16 other co-sponsors. Kleine, a Republican, believes the current law already allows for the use of deadly force when necessary. He said the bill would create problems in Omaha because of gang activity.

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'ETHICAL HACKING' LEGISLATIVE BILLS WOULD PROVIDE MILLIONS TO UPGRADE, TEST NEBRASKA CYBERSECURITY

LINCOLN- Two bills in the Nebraska legislature would provide millions of dollars in cybersecurity upgrades to the state. One would hire "ethical hackers," where the state would pay an outside company to try to break into state agencies, cities, schools and even election infrastructure. Sen. Lippincott's first of two bills would spread $11 million across the state for cybersecurity upgrades.

Lippincott's second bill would pay for the Nebraska State Patrol to hire ethical hackers. "Hire 10 of them. That was my only thought when I read that was just one? Yeah, get a team of folks to do it," Hunter said. "And the idea is they can identify potential problems then turn around and say, I was able to do this, now go fix and patch that."

Lippincott wants to go beyond that and test Nebraska's election infrastructure. The Nebraska Secretary of State's office says it partners with Homeland Security, the FBI and other national security agencies year-round, including presidential election years, to maintain and improve their current security protocols.

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NEBRASKA BILL WOULD ALLOW PARENTS TO REFUSE NEWBORN HEALTH SCREENINGS

LINCOLN- LB1060, a new bill in the Nebraska Legislature introduced by Sen. Ben Hansen, the chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, would allow parents to refuse newborn health screenings, which typically involve blood samples being drawn from an infant's heel. Nebraska is currently one of three states that do not offer any exemptions from this screening.

Hansen said he introduced the bill to protect the rights of parents, and to allow them to make medical decisions for their child. "I see no reason to deny the option of consent," Hansen told the committee. Sen. Hansen also said that the bill does not aim to discourage parents from agreeing to newborn screenings, and actually stated that he hopes such evaluations remain the norm.

Many proponents of the bill agreed with this sentiment, arguing that the only problem is the fact that the screenings are required. Some parents who testified at the hearing said they had attempted to object to screenings involving blood samples for their newborns, citing the desire for a "pain-free birth." Timothy Tesmer, the state's chief medical officer, opposed the bill, saying mandatory screenings are necessary because of the serious risks involved with diagnosing some conditions too late.

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OPPONENTS LINE UP AGAINST NEBRASKA BILLS TO TIGHTEN PROPERTY TAX LIMITS

LINCOLN- Two proposals aiming to tighten limits on property taxes collected by schools and other local government drew more opposition than support at a public hearing on Wednesday. However, some members of the Legislature's Revenue Committee, which held the hearing, argued that these bills are key parts of Gov. Pillen's broader plan of cutting property taxes by 40% in Nebraska.

"This absolutely is a piece of a puzzle that this committee is working to assemble," said Sen. Brad von Gillern, who introduced one of the proposals. LB1241, Sen. von Gillern's bill, would require that local government drop their property tax levies in proportion to valuation increases, meaning that property tax collections would be held flat from year to year.

Sen. von Gillern said his intent with LB1241 is to prevent local governments from getting a windfall when property valuations rise. He argued that governing boards, when in such situations, often tout their success at holding tax levies down, even though property owners with valuation hikes may pay more in taxes.

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STATE TREASURER WANTS NEBRASKANS TO USE STATE WEBSITE TO FIND MISSING MONEY AND PROPERTY

LINCOLN- Thursday, February 1st was "Unclaimed Property Day" in the state of Nebraska, and State Treasurer Tom Briese encouraged citizens to check online at www.nebraskalostcash.gov to reclaim their lost property and cash being held by the state. In 2022 alone, the Treasurer's Office, which operates the website, received $29.4 million worth of lost property.

Of that amount, people checking the website or calling the State Treasurer's Office were able to claim $18.2 million. "I encourage everyone to look for your name," announced Briese on Thursday, "Look for family members. Look for friends and neighbors as well. Let them know if you see something."

The Treasurer's office verifies a person's identity before returning lost items. Briese said he has personally never found any property tied to his name on the site, but that it has helped family members and friends find lost property. "We're here to try to get the dollars back to the rightful owners," said Briese, "And I would certainly encourage everyone to get online and see if they can find something there."

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DOUGLAS COUNTY DEMOCRATS WITHDRAW SUPPORT FROM SEN. MIKE MCDONNELL

OMAHA- On Wednesday, Democratic State Sen. Mike McDonnell's support from the Douglas County Democratic Party was formally withdrawn. More than 60% of the county party's central committee supported the resolution, which would "rescind, withhold, and cease" any support going toward McDonnell.

Three of those attending the central committee meeting cited McDonnell's votes on LB574, which restricted gender-affirming care for minors and provided for stricter abortion bans in Nebraska, as reason for their support of the resolution. The committee's measure also criticized McDonnell for supporting this year's LB1357, which would prohibit camping on property managed by political subdivisions, arguing that it "criminalized unhoused Nebraskans."

"We discussed our values and weighed in on the issue balanced with the protection of free speech and our stance as a welcoming party," said County Chairman CJ King, "We decided as a group that we must stand in solidarity with the folks who are most under attack, the folks who are afforded the least protection, the folks that utilize the safety net that Democratic Party has been responsible for putting in place."

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NEBRASKA DED AWARDS OVER $6.5 MILLION IN RURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING FUNDS

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has announced $6,750,112 in awards to recipients through the second funding cycle of the Rural Workforce Housing Fund (RWHF). Authorized by the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act of 2017, the RWHF aims to assist communities in creating quality, affordable housing to accommodate growth.

Director of DED, K.C. Belitz, emphasized the vital role of affordable housing in contributing to the state's growth and vitality.

“Nebraska’s growth and vitality as a state hinge upon our success developing affordable housing,” said Belitz. “Today’s awardees have shown exemplary initiative in raising funds to support local housing projects. Congratulations to the award winners! DED looks forward to supporting these organizations as they implement their housing plans.”

In 2022, the Nebraska Legislature approved a general fund allocation of $29,555,112 to the Rural Workforce Housing Fund. In May 2023, DED awarded $22,805,000 of these funds to 27 non-profit housing organizations. With this announcement, the remaining funds of $6,750,112 have now been awarded.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKER WANTS TO SET 'MANAGEABLE' CLASS SIZE LIMITS FOR SCHOOLS

LINCOLN- Class sizes need to be more manageable, especially when special education students are involved, in order to keep teachers from being overwhelmed, says Sen. Danielle Conrad. She wanted to start a conversation about school class sizes. Her bill (LB1081) would require public school districts to follow specific class size limits to decrease the burden for teachers.

Conrad said she knows the bill isn’t ready to move out of the Legislature’s Education Committee this year, but she sees it as a first step to addressing a problem that contributes to Nebraska’s worsening teacher shortage. “I had the opportunity to visit with some former educators who were sharing their experiences with me about why they left the classroom,” Conrad said.

Spencer Head, president of the OPS school board, said on Tuesday that if LB1081 were to pass, the district would have to hire 1,000 new teachers to comply with the legislation guidelines. LB1081 would require that by the 2025-26 school year, each public school district would have to follow specific student-to-teacher ratios.

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BILL WOULD START NEBRASKA K-12 VOUCHER PROGRAM WITH $1,500 A YEAR

LINCOLN- The next front in Nebraska’s school choice fight could shift toward a proposal by State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair under which the state would deposit $1,500 a year per student into a new type of state-managed savings account for parents and guardians of students attending private K-12 schools. Hansen said his goal is to “fund students, not systems.”

Legislative Bill 1386 would let people use the funds for private school tuition, textbooks, school supplies, therapies, books and academic materials approved by the Nebraska Board of Education. The new educational savings accounts for approved or accredited private K-12 schools would begin in the 2025-26 school year. The accounts would be overseen by the Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office.

Critics of the voucher push said the plan would violate the Nebraska Constitution’s Article VII, Section 11, which says, “No appropriation or grant of public funds or property shall be made to any educational institution which is not owned and controlled by the state or a governmental subdivision thereof.”

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PROPOSALS AIM TO EASE PATH FOR 'MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING' IN NEBRASKA, BUT CRITICS SEE FLAWS

LINCOLN- No one disagreed with State Sen. John Lowe’s overarching premise: that Nebraska has a pressing need for more housing, particularly affordable. But battle lines were drawn when it came to specifics of two Lowe proposals aimed at ramping up the number of “missing middle housing” duplexes and accessory dwelling units across the state.

Critics told the Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee they had a problem with the proposals stripping certain zoning and regulation powers from local governments. “This is a zoning matter best suited to be addressed at the local level,” said Eric Englund of the Omaha Planning Department, echoing the sentiments of other opponents who largely represented Nebraska municipalities.

Under Lowe’s duplex-focused LB1165, cities of the metropolitan, primary and first class could not have zoning regulations on two-dwelling units that are more restrictive than those for single-family homes. The other proposal, LB1166, calls for municipalities to adopt zoning regulations that allow at least one accessory dwelling unit on a lot that contains a single-family dwelling. ADUs are second, smaller homes on the same property as a primary house. They’re sometimes called granny flats, in-law suites or garage conversions.

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