Creating Solutions Together

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, March 28, 2021

by | April 5, 2021 | Advocacy

Consent

Tomorrow is Day 51 of this 90-day legislative session. It is also the first time this year we’ve seen Consent Calendar. The process is not unlike the Password Lightning Round. First, the Speaker identifies “non-controversial” bills that advanced to General File. To be safe, he picked seven front-line yawners for tomorrow’s agenda.

Each bill introducer has 15 minutes to sell their colleagues on the legislation before the hook comes out to force a vote. It sounds simple until a bill is removed from the agenda by only three devious senators. Or a bill is amended in contrast to the introducers’ wishes. Tears have been shed on Consent Calendar.

The kids are up to their ears in priority bills. Senator Linehan’s Revenue Committee just released 21 more of the little darlings. LB432 is the vehicle for six income tax bills, while LB595 represents five sales tax initiatives. Lou Ann is at the top of her game. She’s smart, she’s savvy, and she has a great staff. Cross her at your peril.

The Appropriations Committee delayed releasing the budget. Look for the numbers to hit senators’ hot, sweaty hands this week.

LB387 moved to Final Reading. It’s Senator Brewer’s bill (at the Governor’s request) that will finally exempt military retirement pay from Nebraska income tax. The bill intends to attract retiring military veterans eligible for a military pension to settle in Nebraska after being discharged from the service.

Senator Mike Hilgers has effortlessly moved into the role of Speaker of the Legislature. He is open to ideas, predictable, and communicative with the body and the public. Great choice, senators.

Bill Tracker

Presented to the Governor

  • LB177 (Lindstrom) SUPPORT – Increases the time for the perfection of Fertilizer and Agricultural Chemical Liens, and increases the time for the perfection of Seed Lien or Electrical Power/Energy Liens from the current sixty (60) days to one hundred twenty (120) days after the last delivery of goods or services covered by these respective liens.

Final Reading

Select File

  • LB507 (Bostelman) (Natural Resources Priority) SUPPORT
  • AM567 The use of seed that is treated, as defined in section 81-2,147.01, in the production of agricultural ethyl alcohol shall be prohibited if such use results in the generation of a byproduct that is deemed unsafe for livestock consumption or land application.

General File

  • LB84 (Bostelman) (Speaker Priority) MONITOR – Changes provisions relating to tax incentive performance audits and redefines a term under the ImagiNE Nebraska Act
  • LB90 (Halloran) MONITOR – Amends the Nebraska Pesticide Act by reallocating the pesticide registration fee distribution. It further amends the Nebraska Commercial Fertilizer and Soil Conditioner Act by allowing the Director to adjust the inspection fee each July 1.
  • LB91 see AM96 (Brandt) MONITOR – Expands the date after germination or viability testing that native flower and grass seeds may continue to be sold or offered for sale without retesting and allowing seed viability testing instead of germination rate testing for certain seeds.
  • LB644 (B. Hansen Priority) MONITOR – Property Tax Request Act to increase transparency for impacted political subdivisions to raise their property tax levies.

Held In Committee

  • LB52 (Lathrop) MONITOR – Immunity for injury or death resulting from COVID-19 exposure.
  • LB79 (Briese) MONITOR – Changes the minimum amount of relief provided under the Property Tax Credit Act.
  • LB133 (Erdman) MONITOR – Adopts a consumption tax and eliminates other taxes.
  • LB139 (Briese) (Slama Priority) MONITOR – Provides general safe harbor and premises liability protections on potential COVID-19 lawsuits.
  • LB239 (Hilkemann) INDEFINITELY POSTPONED – MONITOR – Restricts phone use to hands-free only while driving.
  • LB290 (M. Cavanaugh) OPPOSE – Adopts the Paid Family & Medical Leave Insurance Act.
  • LB329 see AM411 (Wayne) MONITOR – The minimum average wholesale gasoline price would be $2.44. The amendment provides tax incentives for hiring felons, including those on parole or probation.
  • LB422 (Briese) MONITOR – Reduce state sales tax from 5.5 cents to 5 cents and eliminate some sales tax exemptions.
  • LB430 (Revenue) MONITOR – Property tax shell bill.
  • LB432 (Revenue Priority) MONITOR – Income tax shell bill.
  • LB433 (Revenue) MONITOR – Sales tax shell bill.
  • LB483 (J Cavanaugh) MONITOR – Creates a $250,000 climate change study and plan.
  • LB543 see AM284 (Brandt) MONITOR – Adopts the Agricultural Equipment Right-To-Repair Act.
  • LB622 (Friesen) MONITOR – Limits real property valuations’ growth and provides adjustments to assessed values.
  • LB625 (Vargas) MONITOR – Imposes a surtax on certain taxable income and uses the tax proceeds for early childhood education.
  • LB634 (J. Cavanaugh) OPPOSE – Provides a cause of action for unsafe disposal of treated seed.
  • LB672 (Murman) SUPPORT – Changes the sales and use tax exemption on agricultural machinery and equipment.
  • LR5 (Graegert) MONITOR – Recommendations from the Healthy Soils Task Force delivered to the Legislature.
  • LR11CA (Erdman) MONITOR – Constitutional Amendment creates a consumption tax and eliminates other taxes.

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