Senators began first-round debate on Monday on legislation to require voters to provide identification at polling places. As introduced, LB 239 would require presentation of government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license or state or federal identification card. Voters without identification would be able to vote provisionally and return up to ten days later with the required identification.

A Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee amendment would allow an acknowledgment of voter registration to serve as identification as well. Prior to each primary or general election, the Secretary of State would compare voter registration records with driver's license and state identification records to determine which voters do not have state-issued identification. Election commissioners or county clerks would mail acknowledgments of registration to every registered voter without identification. The cost would be borne by counties. Persons appearing at the polling place would be allowed to vote provisionally, with no requirement to later provide identification. Early voters would not be required to provide identification.

After two and a half hours of discussion on LB 239, the Legislature adjourned for the day. While the bill appears on the afternoon agenda for Monday, March 5, more than 20 bills precede it. The Legislature will continue debate on General File bills on March 6. When debate on LB 239 begins, it is likely to continue for three and a half hours until a cloture motion is made to cease debate. If two-thirds (33 senators) of the body vote in favor of cloture, a vote on the pending matter is taken immediately, without debate or consideration of other filed amendments. If a motion for cloture fails, debate on the bill ends for the day. Although the Legislature's rules permit further debate on a different day after a cloture motion has failed, such bills typically do not reappear on the agenda.

You can watch the debate here through videostreaming on the Legislature's website.

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All bills introduced by the Legislature are assigned to a committee for a public hearing. Committees may choose to report the bill to the floor for debate by the full body of the Legislature.  Bills go through three levels of debate before being presented to the Governor:  General File, Select File, and Final Reading.  You can find the daily agenda here by clicking on the appropriate date.   

Bills Advanced to General File

The Revenue Committee reported the advancement of LB 750, a bill to address the treatment of the first acre on farm sites for purposes of comparable sales. A committee amendment contains new language addressing farm home sites and 1031 exchanges. The bill was prioritized by Sen. Paul Lambert.

The Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee sent several bills related to veterans to the floor this week. LB 795 would allow the American Legion and other recognized veterans organizations to receive applications for membership in Nebraska veterans homes. Existing law provides that only county veterans service officers can perform this function. LB 819 would clarify the treatment of military medals under unclaimed property laws. LB 999 would allow an honor and remember flag, which commemorates members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have lost their lives in the line of duty, to be displayed on or near public buildings. The committee also advanced LB 880, which would require consideration of cost and modern processes by the State Records Board.

Two bills sent to the floor by the Judiciary Committee would affect counties. LB 734 would allow for an extended deadline for delivery of goods under an order of replevin. LB 881 would specify that the costs for medical services for persons injured during apprehension are the responsibility of the apprehending or arresting agency, rather than the agency operating the facility where the recipient of the services is lodged.

Bills Advanced to Select File

A package of child welfare bills were advanced from the first round of debate this week. Select File debate is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday morning. General File debate on foster care review revisions will begin later that day.

Bills Passed by the Legislature 

Senators sent a long list of bills to Governor Heineman on Thursday. 

* LB 216 would allow the use of a single special interest license plate on certain collector or restored vehicles that are not used for general transportation. The bill would take effect on Jan. 1, 2013.

* LB 370 would create a process for the issuance of treasurers tax deeds, including revisions to redemption deadlines and expanded notice provisions.

* LB 470 would allow county boards and city and village governing bodies to approve certain library administration compensation policies before implementation by a library board. The bill was introduced at the request of the League of Municipalities risk management pool as a loss control measure.

* LB 828 revises and harmonizes statutes related to wind and solar energy agreements.

* LB 836 expands existing authority of political subdivisions to invest or deposit funds using a deposit placement service such as CDARS.

* LB 879 was introduced at NACO's request to authorize pledged collateral to be held in the office of the county treasurer, rather than the county clerk.

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