NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS ADVANCE BILL TO SHIELD COMPANIES FROM LIABILITY FOR DATA BREACHES

LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers gave first-round approval Wednesday to a bill that would broadly shield private companies from class-action lawsuits stemming from data breaches that occur on their watch. One Democrat joined nearly every Republican in the state's formally nonpartisan Legislature to advance the proposed law, which opponents argued will "make it harder for companies to be held accountable in the event that they actually are negligent with your personal information."

Sponsored by Sen. Bob Hallstrom of Syracuse, the bill (LB241) would prevent companies from being held liable in class-action lawsuits over data breaches unless the breach was caused by their own "willful, wanton, or gross negligence." Hallstrom and his Republican allies in the Legislature cast the proposal as one meant to protect small businesses, which Hallstrom said were at risk of paying "significant settlements" and attorneys fees in the face of class-action lawsuits accusing them of acting with mere negligence — rather than gross negligence — when handling sensitive customer data.

For the full article click HERE

NU STUDY BOASTS $6.4 BILLION IN ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT TO STATE

LINCOLN — Battered by potential financial cuts on both the state and federal levels, the University of Nebraska on Tuesday released a new study touting its value: a reported $6.4 billion economic impact last fiscal year. National consultant Paul Umbach said his analysis showed a $2.4 billion impact in direct spending by the NU system and another $4 billion generated through re-spending by vendors, staff, students, and visitors.

Commissioned by the university, the report says that for every $1 of investment, $10 is returned to the state. It says one of every seven working Nebraskans was educated by the state’s only public research university — a system of campuses in Lincoln, Omaha, Kearney as well as the Omaha-based University of Nebraska Medical Center.

For the full article click HERE

NSEA PRESIDENT, SCHOOL CHOICE LAWS AUTHOR DEBATE FUTURE OF NEBRASKA EDUCATION

LINCOLN — Months after a tense election cycle to repeal the state’s two latest school choice laws, the former state senator who wrote those bills and the current president of the state teacher’s union spent Saturday debating the future of education policy, with a focus on Nebraska students in need.

Lou Ann Linehan, the former state senator for the Elkhorn area, and Tim Royers, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, sat side by side for the 50th annual Nebraska Ecumenical Legislative Briefing Day at Christ United Methodist Church in Lincoln. They debated school choice and more for about an hour, offering competing visions for what the next steps should be to change the “status quo.”

The pair have crossed paths in and out of the Legislature, often clashing in recent years in Linehan’s two committees: Revenue and Education. Royers was past president of the Millard Education Association, and Linehan chaired the Revenue Committee for six years.

For the full article click HERE

REFEREES CALL FOR TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR PARENTS, SPECTATORS WHO ASSAULT THEM

LINCOLN – Sports referees called on Nebraska lawmakers Wednesday to increase penalties for spectators, parents, and coaches who assault them in the heat of an athletic contest. During a legislative hearing at the Capitol, they described growing incidents of verbal and physical abuse and assaults of officials and a need to impose tougher penalties – in this case, a felony with the chance of imprisonment – to quell the threats and head off a shortage of referees.

“Fans are getting out of hand, and it’s starting at the third-grade level,” said Montsho Wilson, who schedules referees for the Metro Conference and youth sports in Omaha. Wilson said that since October, officiating crews had ejected 26 people from buildings due to threatening or abusive behavior. Three of the incidents involved physical violence, he told the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA AG, CONSERVATION GROUPS SLAM PILLEN'S PLAN TO MERGE TWO STATE DEPARTMENTS

LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen's plan to merge two state agencies to form the Department of Water, Energy and Environment ran into opposition from key agricultural and conservation groups at a public hearing Thursday. Through a proposed law sponsored by Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth at Pillen's request, the governor is asking lawmakers to merge the Department of Environment and Energy with the Department of Natural Resources in a move that Pillen said would create efficiencies and help the state safeguard its water quality and quantity for generations to come.

at a Thursday public hearing on LB317, representatives from Nebraska agricultural and conservation groups argued the bill won't do either of those things — and could distract from the state's focus on shoring up its water supply. Critics also lodged concerns over the uncertainties left by the bill and the governor, who suggested it would save taxpayer dollars but declined to detail where the state might find efficiencies upon merging the two agencies.

For the full article click HERE

TESTIFIERS QUESTION NEED FOR PROPOSED NEBRASKA REQUIREMENTS FOR ABORTION PILLS

LINCOLN — Advocates for a Nebraska legislative bill that would add new steps women must take to access abortion pills said they want to make using the pills safer for pregnant women. Opponents testifying during the public hearing Thursday for Legislative Bill 512 said the goal of the measure by State Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue is to reduce the use of the drugs.

LB 512 does not outright ban or directly restrict mifepristone or misoprostol, the typical two-drug regimen for a medical abortion. But it adds several required steps. It would require women to see a doctor three to 14 days after being given the pill, in addition to before, which state law already required. It would require testing for an ectopic pregnancy.

For the full article click HERE

HEARING ON PUBLIC BENEFIT FOR YOUNG IMMIGRANTS SPARKS LAWMAKER REBUKE OF DHHS CEO

LINCOLN — A proposal before Nebraska lawmakers would extend public support to young people aging out of the foster care system, regardless of immigration status, until they reach age 21. Legislative Bill 181, introduced by State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, essentially would allow immigrants lacking permanent residency but who have been in foster care to be part of the state’s existing Bridge to Independence Program.

That effort, available to willing participants from ages 19 until 21, aims to improve the transition of Nebraska foster care youth into independent and productive adulthood. It includes supports such as Medicaid health care coverage, a $1,000 monthly stipend, and case management to guide housing, college or technical training, and employment.

A fiscal note estimated the cost at about $375,000 in the first year. Testimony Wednesday at a public hearing before the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee estimated that 15 young immigrants at any one time would be eligible for services under LB 181.

For the full article click HERE

WOODSONIA REVEALS NEW MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR RETAIL, SPORTS VENUE OPTION FOR GRETNA GOOD LIFE DISTRICT

GRETNA — An alternative multimillion-dollar retail and entertainment project surfaced Tuesday night as a potential lifeline for the embattled Gretna good life district once led by businessman Rod Yates.

Drew Snyder of Woodsonia Real Estate revealed his vision to the Gretna City Council, showcasing signature features such as a 15,000-seat outdoor concert amphitheater and a multisport facility. His hope, which the City Council mirrored, is to keep alive the 2,000-acre good life district designation and related state financial incentives previously approved by state officials for the creation of a unique destination.

The future of the Gretna district — the largest and most high-profile of five allowed under the state’s Good Life Transformational Projects law — has been up in the air since Yates asked to terminate his state-approved application that established the project site.

For the full article click HERE

DHHS ISSUES ‘GUARDRAILS’ FOR SERVING NERBASKA KIDS WITH AUTISM AS MEDICAID COSTS SURGE, AUDITS LOOM

LINCOLN — Spurred in part by the rising costs of services to young Nebraskans with autism, the state on Friday announced new “guardrails” they hope to ward off potential misuses of public funds.

Officials with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services signaled a couple of months ago they’d be issuing cost controls and guidelines related to applied behavior analysis (ABA) — a Medicaid service area for youths that has seen state expenses over a three-year period skyrocket by more than 1,000%.

While the state has presented no evidence of fraud or abuse by families or providers of Medicaid-covered ABA services, DHHS officials point out that Nebraska pays among the highest provider reimbursement rates in the nation. They say that with ABA usage rising, they wanted to set clearer parameters, and expectations and to rein in potential over-authorizations of services.

For the full article click HERE

TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDERS EMBOLDEN PILLEN, KAUTH PUSH TO DEFINE MALE, FEMALE IN NEBRASKA

LINCOLN — President Donald Trump’s executive orders to define “male” and “female” and mandate that student-athletes participate on sports teams according to their sex are bolstering legislative efforts to do the same in Nebraska.

State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, whose Legislative Bill 89 would accomplish similar goals as Trump, said she “absolutely” would continue pursuing her state-level legislation this year — the Stand With Women Act — regardless of congressional or federal action.

Kauth’s proposal would define “male” and “female” throughout state government, similar to the aims of a 2023 executive order by Gov. Jim Pillen. LB 89 has a public hearing before the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee on Friday.

Opponents of Kauth’s legislation and other policies like it have argued it singles out young students already at higher risk of bullying or suicide and who, they argue, just want to play sports. Nebraska has had fewer than 10 transgender student-athletes participate in K-12 sports under an existing policy since 2017.

Kauth has said her legislation is “common sense.”

For the full article click HERE

AUDITOR MIKE FOLEY ALLEGES FRAUD AFFECTING PUBLICLY-FUNDED HOUSING IN CUMING COUNTY VILLAGE

LINCOLN — A Nebraska auditor’s probe has uncovered alleged misuse of public money — including at the local WinnaVegas casino — by the manager of a publicly funded eight-apartment complex in Cuming County.

During her year as the sole employee of Barber’s Sunrise Villa Apartments in Bancroft, Neb., a town of fewer than 500 residents, the manager is alleged to have paid herself more than double her authorized salary, gaining an extra $11,000 over 14 months, according to findings released Thursday.

The 11-page auditor’s report identified the manager as Kayla Logeman. It said she also used the company debit card to make $820 in withdrawals at the casino resort in Sloan, Iowa, and made a $27.51 fuel purchase at the nearby Pony Express gas station.

The auditing team’s report said it confirmed that Logeman’s “gambling activity” coincided with the withdrawals in question, and pointed to state theft laws that might have been violated. The auditors forwarded the findings to the Nebraska State Patrol, Attorney General, and Cuming County Attorney for further review.

For the full article click HERE

STATE COMPUTER SYSTEM NETWORK BACK UP AFTER OUTAGE, CAUSE UNKNOWN

LINCOLN- A network outage crippled computer systems across state agencies and offices on Thursday morning, leading the Legislature to adjourn its work early.

According to the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), the outage began at about 10 a.m. and affected all state network connectivity — including the Nebraska State Office Building, the Department of Correctional Services and the State Patrol. Perhaps the most visible evidence of the outage to those in the State Capitol, however, was the darkened board that displays the votes taken by state senators.

The cause of the outage was still under investigation Thursday afternoon, but a spokesman for the OCIO said the effects were widespread. “If a task required connectivity to the state’s network, it was affected,” said Ezra Effrein, a public information officer in the OCIO.

For the full article click HERE

YEAR-ROUND STANDARD TIME, DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BILLS BOTH ADVANCE FROM COMMITTEE

LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers are another step closer to ending the twice-a-year switching of clocks back and forth one hour, but whether that is by shifting year-round to standard time or daylight saving time hasn’t been decided.

The Legislature’s eight-member Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee voted unanimously Thursday to advance Legislative Bill 34 for year-round daylight saving time, from State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, and LB 302 for year-round standard time, from State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil.

Standard time refers to how most clocks in the U.S. are set in the winter, while daylight saving time is the period between the second Sunday in March (to “spring ahead” one hour) and the first Sunday in November (to “fall back” one hour to standard time). Daylight saving leads to the sun setting at a later time in the summer, which organizations supporting youth sports and golf urged the committee last week to embrace.

For the full article click HERE

SCHOOL RETIREMENT CHANGES TO PLAY ROLE IN NEBRASKA SCHOOL FUNDING, BUDGET TALKS

LINCOLN — Public school teachers statewide say they are alarmed at a legislative proposal led by Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen to change how much the state annually puts into its school retirement plan.

Legislative Bill 645, introduced by State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln at Pillen’s request, would create stepped-down contribution levels from the state to the school retirement plan, depending on the actuarial funding level of the pension plan. The state currently gives 2% of the payroll for school employees statewide each year — about $50 million.

Ballard’s bill would maintain that funding level if the plan drops below 92% funded. It is currently 99.9% funded and growing, funded at about $16.3 billion as of July of last year. The goal is to divert the contribution amount to other education-related investments, including school finance reform.

If the pension plan is fully funded, the state would not contribute to the plan unless it drops below 100%, which would adjust depending on the level of funding.

For the full article click HERE

SOME LAWMAKERS SEEK EXEMPTION IN VOTER-LED PAID SICK LEAVE LAW, AS OTHERS PROTEST

LINCOLN — After Nebraskans voted to require paid sick leave for eligible employees in November, two dozen state lawmakers are seeking to carve out exceptions, including for more of the state’s small businesses.

Legislative Bill 698, introduced by State Sen. Paul Strommen of Sidney and co-sponsored by 24 others, seeks to exempt seasonal agricultural workers and youths under 16 from the mandate and the smallest employers, those with 10 or fewer workers. During a public hearing Monday before the Legislature’s Business and Labor Committee, Strommen said his proposal should not be viewed as an effort to thwart the will of the people.

About 75% of Nebraska voters supported Initiative 436, which is to take effect in October and requires employers with fewer than 20 employees to provide up to five days of sick leave annually, and larger employers, with 20 or more workers to provide up to seven days. Strommen described the measure as an attempt to “clean up” initiative language and shield workers from “unintended consequences” that would result when small businesses that cannot absorb additional costs downsize or shutter.

For the full article click HERE

ATTORNEY GENERAL HILGERS JOINS FRAY OVER BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP, DRAWS CRITICISM FROM SOME

LINCOLN — Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers’ entry into the growing conflict over President Donald Trump’s directive to end birthright citizenship has sparked criticism from statewide civil rights and immigrant advocate groups.

Hilgers and Republican counterparts in 17 other states signed onto a so-called friend of the court brief filed Monday to support Trump’s executive order.

Marty Ramirez, co-chair of Las Voces Nebraska, an advocacy group representing Latinos and immigrants, said Hilgers is “riding a tidal wave” of politicians following nonsensical acts to avoid upsetting Trump.

“He has to join or Nebraska pays a consequence,” Ramirez said. “It’s a dangerous movement.”

For the full article click HERE

BACKERS OF 'SCHOOL CHOICE' RESURRECTION BILL SAY VOTERS WHO REPEALED IT WERE MISLED

Students, parents, and teachers filled a hearing room Thursday to share their opinions on a resurrected bill seeking to encourage donations to private school scholarship funds, months after voters repealed a similar law.

Sen. Tony Sorrentino of the Omaha area introduced LB509, which would appropriate $25 million per year to establish a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $100,000 for individuals or entities who donate to organizations that issue scholarships for K-12 students looking to enroll in private schools.

The bill was presented in a public hearing before the Nebraska Legislature's Revenue Committee on Thursday. Though testimony was fairly even, opponents ultimately outnumbered supporters 20 to 16, while written comments favored the opposition even more, with 548 opposing submissions compared to 235 supporting submissions.

For the full article click HERE

LAWMAKERS SIGNAL SUPPORT FOR YOUTH SOCIAL MEDIA BAN

A committee of Nebraska lawmakers signaled support Thursday for a proposed law that would bar children younger than 18 from joining social media apps without parental consent — the most aggressive of Republican Gov. Jim Pillen's policy proposals meant to shield youth from the harmful effects that social media can have.

At a public hearing Thursday afternoon, key members of the Legislature's Judiciary Committee were openly skeptical of and, at times, outright combative with tech company lobbyists who urged lawmakers to oppose the legislation.

Introduced at Pillen's request by Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman, the bill (LB383) would require social media companies doing business in Nebraska to use "reasonable age verification" methods to ensure anyone signing up for an account on the platform is at least 18 years old or has the express consent of a parent, whose age companies would also have to verify under the proposed law.

For the full article click HERE

FORMER ENVIRONMENT DIRECTOR TAPPED TO LEAD REGIONAL EPA OFFICE

Nebraska's former environmental director has been appointed by President Donald Trump to head the Environmental Protection Agency's Region 7 office covering Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri, the agency announced Thursday.

Jim Macy retired in April after leading the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy for nine years. He had been appointed by then-Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts to lead the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality in 2015.

In 2018, he also became interim director of the Nebraska Department of Energy and led the merger of the two state agencies to form the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy in 2019.

In announcing his appointment, EPA officials said Macy will lead the implementation of the president’s environmental agenda in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and nine tribal nations.

For the full article click HERE

BILLS TO CATALOG SCHOOL 'MASS SURVEILLANCE' TOOLS, LIBRARY BOOKS ADVANCE FROM EDUCATION COMMITTEE

LINCOLN — A Nebraska legislative committee Thursday advanced multiple legislative bills seeking public catalogs of student surveillance tools, surveys, and library books in K-12 schools. Education Committee members voted 7-0, with one member absent, to advance Legislative Bill 31 on student surveillance tools, from State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln. The committee also voted 6-1 to advance LB 390 on libraries, from State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, the committee chair. State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha opposed the libraries bill.

The committee also voted 6-0 to advance a related bill from Murman, LB 428, which requires that parents be able to review non-anonymous surveys before they are given to students and be able to exempt their child from participating. No survey requesting sexual information of a student could be administered in kindergarten through grade six. The bill was amended to require that parents receive notification at least 15 days before any such survey is administered, rather than at least 30 days. On that bill, Hunt was “present, not voting.”

For the full article click HERE