Local State Senators Take Bills Before Committees

Several bills introduced by local legislators have had public hearings. You can hear the discussion from those from the week. 

LB 1005 provides for the operation of all-terrain vehicles and utility-type vehicles between sunset and sunrise. Requirements for multiple beam headlights, single beam headlights, and taillights on these vehicles are also clarified. District 37 Senator Stan Clouse is the sponsor.

LB1164 expands learning opportunities for Nebraska’s high school students, reducing unnecessary barriers to degree completion and saving students time and money. It establishes a clear, statewide framework for approving prior learning examinations and cut scores. By requiring transparent, publicly posted policies and consistent reporting, the bill promotes predictability for students and families. It was introduced by Hastings Senator Dan Lonowski.

LB 724 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a an official cost study related to behavioral health services providing both the administration and legislature a clear understanding of the actual cost to providers.  That comparison can aid in future decisions related to setting of behavioral health service rates.  The cost study shall be conducted during the interim and completed by September 1, 2026, with a final report to the legislature submitted no later than December 1, 2026. District 35 Senator Dan Quick Introduced the bill.

LB1183 is aimed at reducing the tax burden on property owners by establishing that property shall be valued at fifty percent of its actual value for taxation purposes. For agricultural and horticultural land, the bill lowers the current assessment from seventy-five percent to thirty-seven and five-tenths percent of its actual value. District 34 Senator Loren Lippincott of Central City is bringing the bill forward. 

LB1145 and LB898 had hearings back to back on Thursday. Both were introduced by Dan Lonowski of Hastings.

LB1145 would amend Nebraska Revised Statute § 84-1411 of the Open Meetings Act to require public bodies subject to the Act to provide “reasonable advance publicized notice of the time and place of each meeting by a method designated by each public body and recorded in its minutes.” Although some political subdivisions publish the notice in a newspaper, most post the notice in three public places.

The bill repeals provisions in § 84-1411 that are confusing and have proven to be problematic for political subdivisions since the passage of LB 148 in 2020. Notice provided by political subdivisions also shall be given “at least twice a year of the regular meeting schedule, location, and the method designated by the public body to provide reasonable advance publicized notice. Such notice shall be given by publication in a legal newspaper of general circulation within the public body's jurisdiction.”  This publication requirement does not apply to cities of the second class, villages, and rural or suburban protection fire districts since they typically post notice of their meetings in three public places. 

The bill also outlines procedures for a public body that decides to publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the public body's jurisdiction to meet the notice requirement in case of refusal, neglect, or inability of the newspaper to publish notice. 

LB898 seeks to increase accessibility to and volunteerism for service on public bodies by eliminating the limitation of no more than one-half of meetings may be held virtually for those boards, commissions, councils, etc., which are advisory in nature, or conducting studies, and whose members are not appointed or elected on a statewide basis and do not have a statewide governing or regulatory function.  The virtual conferencing requirements currently in Nebraska Revised Statute § 84-1411(2)(b) are retained, along with the requirement to hold at least one meeting each calendar year that is not by virtual conferencing.