Mid-biennium adjustments to the state’s budget were considered by the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee Jan. 29.
Three bills, introduced by Speaker Jim Scheer of Norfolk at the request of Gov. Pete Ricketts, comprise the governor’s mid-biennium budget recommendations:
Des Moines, Iowa – An animal welfare group gained access to an Iowa state lawmaker’s hog farm and has posted a video on the internet that shows pigs suffering and even dying in what appear to be inhumane conditions.
Lincoln – Nebraska lawmakers took a step last Monday to try to help survivors of human trafficking but stopped short of putting any new money into the initiative.
University of Nebraska Medical Center leaders are seeking state support to continue a statewide program that has trained nearly 7,000 individuals – mostly volunteer emergency medical services providers and firefighters.
Lincoln – The tax on owners of renewable energy generation facilities would be indexed to inflation under a proposal heard Jan. 24 by the Legislature’s Revenue Committee.
Lincoln – LB 772, introduced by Sen. Matt Williams of Gothenburg, would ease constraints on how a physician may delegate tasks to a physician assistant under his or her supervision if the PA has received education, training and experience related to the task.
Lincoln – Public power districts could develop and manufacture biofuels under a bill heard Jan. 23 by the Natural Resources Committee.
LB 899, introduced by Venango Sen. Dan Hughes, would authorize a public power district to “develop, manufacture, use, purchase or sell biofuels and biofuel byproducts and other fuels which help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Lincoln – The adoption of a new Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact was discussed Jan. 22 in a Health and Human Services Committee hearing.
Lincoln – Public colleges and universities would be required to report information to the Legislature on campus sexual assault and dating violence under a bill advanced to select file Jan. 23.
Lincoln – The Natural Resources Committee heard testimony Jan. 22 on a proposed legislative finding regarding the separability of groundwater rights and land ownership.