Creating Solutions Together

Winner Winner Chick’n Dinner

Bill introductions concluded last Wednesday. The kids had a terrific time submitting 755 pieces of simply fabulous legislation. That’s an average of about 14 bills per senator. Every citizen in every socioeconomic class has something to celebrate and fear at the same time.

Senator Wayne lapped the field with 59 individual and committee bills, constitutional amendments and a legislative resolution. He’s our Winner Winner, Chick’n Dinner. Fellow Democrat Matt Hansen finished a distant second with 32.

Committee hearings started last week. Several bills have already found their way out of committee, and onto General File. Four measures even advanced to Select File on Friday.

Surprisingly, the longest hearing of the week was not for sales tax exemptions on menstrual hygiene products (LB170) or breast pumps and breast feeding supplies (LB13). Rather, LB110, a bill that would approve certain forms of cannabis for medical use, lasted into the night. These types of hearings are are difficult, polarizing and heart-wrenching. Suffers with severe medical conditions like cancer, glaucoma, seizures or MS are desperate for relief, or for an alternative to opioids. On the other hand, cannabis is not approved by the FDA, doctors are not familiar with chemical compounds and law enforcement must deal with the illegal use and distribution of cannabis. Interestingly, the Nebraska Medical Association is neutral on the bill.

This week holds a full slate of morning floor debate on General File bills, and afternoon committee hearings. For the morning agendas, use the Nebraska Legislature link below. Under Legislative Calendar select Today or Monthly View and then Agenda.

Committee Hearings Schedule is obvious, unless you’re under sedation by cannabis.

NA-BA Watchlist

LB18 adopts the Remote Seller Sales Tax Collection Act and directs certain sales tax revenue to the Property Tax Credit Cash Fund.

LB158 changes provisions relating to the assessed value of real property.

LB182 adopts the School District Local Option Income Surtax Act.

LB184 adopts the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act.

LB227 (Hughes) Changes provisions relating to a determination of a public or private nuisance under the Nebraska Right to Farm Act.

LB243 (Gragert) Creates the Health Soils Task Force to develop a comprehensive action plan to coordinate efforts to carry out a healthy soils initiative using standards for organic matter, biological activity, biological diversity, and soil structure as measures to assess improved soil health.

LB276 (McCollister) Changes provisions relating to the taxation of income from certain small business corporations and limited liability companies

LB284 (McCollister) Adopts the Remote Seller an Marketplace Facilitator Act.

LB303 (Lindstrom) At the Request of the Governor. Would add $51 million to the Property Tax Credit Relief Fund.

LB314 (Briese) Adopts the Remote Seller Sales Tax Collection Act. that removes a property tax exemption for fraternal benefit societies; to increase taxes on alcohol; to increase the documentary stamp tax and the cigarette tax; to provide sunset dates for the Personal Property Tax Relief Act and the New Markets Job Growth Investment Act; to impose a surtax on certain individuals; to increase the sales tax rate; to impose sales and use taxes on certain services; to eliminate certain sales and use tax exemptions; to change provisions relating to the alternative minimum tax, the earned income tax credit, the tax on certain extraordinary dividends and capital gains, the tax on certain small business corporation and limited liability company income, and itemized deductions; to provide an income tax credit for certain renters; to change the distribution of certain revenue; to tax vapor products under the Tobacco Products Tax Act; to change provisions relating to allocated income tax funds and special education; to create the School Financing Review Commission and provide duties; to change provisions of the Nebraska Visitors Development Act.

LB320 (Albrecht) To redefine terms; to update federal references; to change Department of Agriculture powers and duties; to change provisions relating to registration requirements and applications, service of process, labeling requirements, application fees, pesticide applicator and restricted-use pesticide provisions, commercial, noncommercial, and private applicator licenses, non-certified applicator restrictions, records requirements, license holder duties, violations, claims of damages, inspections, and prohibited acts.

LB321 (Hansen B.) Relates to the Weights and Measures Act; to update certain standards and regulations; to change provisions relating to Director of Agriculture duties and Department of Agriculture device inspection fees; to remove obsolete provisions; to eliminate a signature requirement on a permit application.

LB371 (Erdman) Allow an all-terrain vehicle or utility-type vehicle to operate on a roadway or shoulder of any public road and to cross all public roads. Operators must be at least 12 years old.

LR3CA refundable credit against the income tax imposed by the State of Nebraska in an amount equal to thirty-five percent of the property taxes.

LR5CA Constitutional Amendment that no more than 33% of the funding for such free instruction in the common schools shall come from property taxes.

 

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