Legislature News

Education Cleanup, Extension of Lottery Allocations Adopted 48-0

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 06/02/2021 - 12:00am

Lawmakers passed a bill on a 48-0 vote May 20 that makes several technical changes to education law and extends current allocations of lottery funds to education-related programs.

Pretrial DUI Sobriety Program Approved

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 06/02/2021 - 12:00am

Individuals awaiting trial for driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs may enroll in an alternative diversion program under a bill passed by lawmakers May 19.

Legislative Bill 271, sponsored by Lincoln Sen. Adam Morfeld, authorizes county-level 24/7 sobriety programs created by the sheriff or a designated entity.

COVID-19 Liability Protections Adopted

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 06/02/2021 - 12:00am

Senators approved a proposal May 20 intended to prohibit frivolous coronavirus-related lawsuits.

Legal Framework for Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Created

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 06/02/2021 - 12:00am

Lawmakers passed a bill on a 48-1 vote May 19 that creates a legal and regulatory framework for the geologic storage of carbon dioxide in Nebraska.

Legislative Bill 650, sponsored by Norfolk Sen. Michael Flood, the Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission will regulate facilities that inject carbon dioxide through wells into underground geologic formations for permanent or short-term storage.

Up to 5 Inland Port Authorities Authorized

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 06/02/2021 - 12:00am

A bill intended to spur commercial economic development passed 47-0 on final reading May 19.

Legislative Bill 156, introduced by Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne, allows up to five inland port authorities to be established in Nebraska. An inland port authority may be established in a metropolitan, primary or first class city or a county with a population greater than 20,000.

Digital Asset Depository Bill Approved

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 06/02/2021 - 12:00am

A bill establishing a state-level regulatory system for digital assets — including cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin — passed May 20.

Legislative Bill 649, introduced by Norfolk Sen. Michael Flood, allows creation of digital asset depository institutions in Nebraska.

Flood Control, Water Resources Committee Created

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 06/02/2021 - 12:00am

A special legislative committee will study potential flood control projects and related economic development opportunities in three areas of the state under a bill passed 46-1 by lawmakers May 20.

Mental Health Crisis Hotline Task Force OK’d

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 06/02/2021 - 12:00am

A task force will study the implementation of a crisis hotline in Nebraska under a bill passed on a 46-0 vote May 19 that takes effect immediately.

Legislative Bill 247, sponsored by Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks, establishes the Mental Health Crisis Hotline Task Force to create an implementation plan for the 988 crisis hotline established by the federal government in 2020.

Urban Affairs Omnibus Bill Approved

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 06/02/2021 - 12:00am

An omnibus municipal governance measure passed 40-7 on May 20.

Legislative Bill 131, introduced by Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, adds “or as otherwise provided by law” to the list of reasons a municipality can waive reading an ordinance three times before its adoption.

Sales Tax Turnback for Sports Complexes Approved

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 06/02/2021 - 12:00am

The state will turn back new sales tax revenue to cities to help them build sports complexes under a bill approved 45-0 by lawmakers May 20.

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