Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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On Saturday, July 4, we will celebrate Independence Day. This day celebrates the foundational principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence, specifically, that all people have fundamental, unalienable rights to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” Notably this day will also mark the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. When the United States declared its independence in 1776, it established a radical new system of government whose experiment in self-governance revol...
Recently, many of you received your new property valuation notices. Once again, many of you saw increases in your property value, even if you made no improvements to your property. This is not surprising given the high-demand for housing, farm, and ranch land. It is rare that a home or land is sold for less than the tax assessed value. When the market value of real estate rises, county assessors are required by law to adjust tax valuations to reflect those current market prices. In determining...
This week, I would like to discuss LB1010, the second significant energy bill that passed this year. LB1010 was a measure introduced by Sen. Tom Brandt to establish a legal framework for grid-scale battery energy storage facilities. Across the country and now in Nebraska, interest in grid-scale battery energy storage is growing. A 200-megawatt battery energy storage facility can be built out and deployed in as little as two years. In contrast, a new gas electric generation plant or high voltage...
Summer is right around the corner, so this week, I would like to provide a reminder of two important deadlines that occur on Tuesday, June 30. First, June 30 is the last day for individuals to file for a Homestead Exemption for property tax relief. The Homestead Exemption is a state-funded program that lowers or eliminates property taxes on a primary residence. Applications (known as Form 458) must be filed with the local county assessor between Feb. 2 and June 30 each year. Homeowners can...
Monday, May 25 was Memorial Day, a day we pay our respects to all those men and women who gave their lives for our country while serving in the armed forces. So many have given their lives in defense of our country so that we could grow up and live in the greatest nation in history. In addition to remembering those who lost their lives, we should also use the day to thank all those who served who came home from their service with a permanent disability, whether mental or physical. These...
In this most recent legislative session, I introduced a total of sixteen bills and one constitutional amendment resolution. Additionally, the Agriculture Committee, of which I chair, introduced two committee bills. Last week, I covered seven of these bills which became law. This week, I would like to outline the other seven of these bills which became law. My bill LB869 expands the number of local newspapers that publish the notice of unclaimed property and provides the State Treasurer’s O...
In this most recent legislative session, I introduced a total of sixteen bills and one constitutional amendment resolution. Additionally, the Agriculture Committee, of which I chair, introduced two so-called committee bills. Fourteen of those measures passed. This week, I would like to outline seven of my bills which became law. LB769 authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles to create and issue up to three University of Nebraska State Museum License Plate designs. Alphanumeric plates will...
The 109th Legislature’s second session has adjourned sine die. As of the day of adjournment, the Legislature had passed 150 bills, excluding “A” (Appropriation) bills. Of the 107 priority bills designated this session, 75 bills were passed as standalone measures. Many priority bills were passed: LB525 to create first-of-its-kind agricultural data privacy protections for agricultural producers, LB958 to require Nebraska to pay the maximum amount of coverage for which Medicaid recipients are r...
This week, I would like to provide a broader overview of the proposed changes to the state's Brand Law. This session, I introduced LB1187 to allow the ability for the Brand Committee to adjust its inspection fee to help the Brand Committee manage a difficult budget situation. Due to the closure of the Tyson plant in Lexington earlier this year, as well as other factors, the Brand Committee's cash fund has depleted in recent years. Although the Brand Committee has indicated that it could...
This past week, the Legislature gave final approval to the two budget bills. During the long 90-day legislative session, the state’s biennial budget is crafted. During the short 60-day session, adjustments are made to the budget. Adjusting this session’s budget was a much more demanding task since senators had to weigh what agencies and programs would be cut. Combined, both budget bills contain a large collection of cuts, changes, and cash transfers which will bring the deficit down to abo...
This past week, Senators gave first-round approval to LB525, a bill introduced by Sen. Jacobson to protect data collected by farmers’ equipment. This measure would create a first-of-its-kind ag data privacy protection for agricultural producers on subjects like soil conditions, weather, and crop yields. This ag data has completely changed the landscape of agriculture thanks to the growing use of precision technologies in agricultural equipment. Senators also advanced LB1165 to the next stage o...
This past week, the Legislature gave first-round approval to the two budget bills which propose adjustments to the biennial budget that was passed last year. As I mentioned last week, the Legislature creates a two-year, biennial budget in odd-numbered years, and that budget must be balanced. The spending approved must not exceed the amount of revenue projected by the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board in their most recent meeting prior to the end of the session. This frequently...
On Friday, Feb. 27, the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board met and revised its October revenue projections, adding another $175 million to the deficit. This board has nine members that are tasked with developing a consensus projection of economic activity in Nebraska. They provide an advisory forecast of the state’s General Fund revenue receipts. The consensus General Fund revenue forecast is used to set the operating budget for the State of Nebraska. Senators entered this l...
Thursday, Feb. 20 marked the last day for senators and committees to designate their priority bills for the year. A total of 107 bills and resolutions were prioritized. With the Unicameral now in the latter half of this short 60-day legislative session, the majority of the bills that will be debated from this point on will be priority bills and the budget. My personal priority for this session is LR283CA. Currently, the Nebraska Constitution specifies that every citizen of the United States shal...
This past week, the Agriculture Committee heard two bills at a public hearing: LB1187 and LB1258. Both bills propose changes to the state’s livestock branding law. The Nebraska Livestock Brand Act requires cattle owners in the western two-thirds of the state to comply with mandatory brand inspections. These inspections are overseen by the Nebraska Brand Committee and are meant to safeguard against cattle theft. Last year, the Agriculture Committee held an interim hearing to examine the L...
This week, I would like to highlight a number of the proposals that have been introduced this session that have the intent of reducing property taxes. Both the Education Committee and the Revenue Committee have begun to hold public hearings on these measures now that there has been some time for agencies and groups to analyze many of the different measures. LB1182 and LB1183 represent the two components of the so-called Apple Tax Plan that is sponsored by the group known as Advocates for All...
This past week, senators debated LB669, a bill introduced by Sen. Storer, which would update Nebraska’s informed consent laws to require women be screened for coercion and abuse when they go in for an abortion appointment. This measure was introduced with the intent of combatting domestic violence and human trafficking. In debate, senators presented contrasting information on the potential impacts of this measure. Senator Storer and other supporters of the bill argued it was necessary to give v...
This past week, the Legislature continued to hold public hearings on bills. Three bills by Sen. Kauth, relating to social issues, garnered significant interest from across the state. LB730 would require schools and state agencies to designate restrooms and locker rooms based on sex. LB731 would adopt the Gender Transition Malpractice Accountability Act and allow for civil actions relating to gender-altering procedures. LB732 would prohibit health care practitioners from providing cross-sex...
This past week, the Legislature concluded bill introduction for the year and began the committee hearing process. In Nebraska, all bills and constitutional amendment resolutions are referred to a legislative committee for a public hearing. Senators will continue to meet in the mornings for floor debate and attend committee hearings in the afternoons until the end of February. Full-day floor debate is tentatively scheduled to begin on March 3. So far this year, I introduced 15 bills and one...
With the holidays now fast approaching, final preparations are being made ahead of next year’s regular legislative session. Pursuant to the Nebraska Constitution, the Legislature will convene its shortened 60-day legislative session at 10 a.m., on Wednesday, Jan. 7. In the latest memo provided by Speaker of the Legislature John Arch to senators and staff, public hearings on bills and resolutions will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 20 and continue through the month of February. Full-day floor debate w...
In 1621, the early settlers of the Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag Tribe met to celebrate the blessing they received from the previous year: a successful harvest. This gathering is considered the origin of our country’s modern Thanksgiving tradition. Thanksgiving initially continued largely as a regional observance in colonial New England. In these early years, the meaning of Thanksgiving varied by location. In some areas, Thanksgiving was a celebration of the autumn harvest. In other a...
On Wednesday, November 12, the Nebraska Examiner reported that the Executive Board of the Legislature is considering new security upgrades in the Nebraska State Capitol building. This announcement comes in light of recent acts of political violence across the country and a growing recognition by state and national lawmakers to reconsider existing security measures. Currently, the Capitol Security Division of the Nebraska State Patrol is charged with the safety and security of the Nebraska State...
On Oct. 31, the Agriculture Committee held its second and final interim public hearing for the year. This hearing was held for four interim study resolutions: LR153, LR168, LR257, and LR258. Additionally, the committee received a public briefing by Eugene Kowel, Special Agent in Charge, Omaha Field Office of the FBI, regarding threats to the agriculture sector by domestic and foreign actors from the FBI perspective. LR153 was introduced by Sen. Storer for the purpose of gathering information...
In the past few months, I outlined six initiative petitions that have been filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office and are currently in circulation for the 2026 General Election. Since then, two additional initiative petitions have been submitted to the Secretary of State: (1) the Winner Take All Electors Constitutional Amendment and (2) the Hand Count Ballots for Elections Constitutional Amendment. Both initiatives were brought by the group Advocates for All Nebraskans. Although I p...
This past week, the Executive Board held a public hearing on LR198 to study whether to make changes to the structure of standing committees in the Legislature. Specifically, the resolution proposes to create a Technology Committee as a new standing committee and combine the Agriculture Committee and the Natural Resources Committee. In the past, the Legislature has at various times considered merging the Agriculture Committee and the Natural Resources Committee. Such proposals have been brought...
