On Tuesday senators wrapped up first round debate on a bill to increase fees collected by the Game and Parks Commission (LB745) before advancing two budget bills (LB956 and LB957). A cloture motion was needed to end the discussion on LB745 and successfully vote to advance the bill. A cloture motion may only be made by the introducer and after full and fair debate has occurred in the opinion of the presiding officer. This year, a bill is considered to have had full and fair debate after six hours of debate on General File, four hours of debate on Select File, and two hours of debate on Final Reading. A two-thirds majority of the elected members (33 votes) is needed for a cloture motion to be successful and a vote to be taken on the pending matter. If a cloture motion is unsuccessful, debate on the bill ends for the day. If the Speaker chooses to place the bill on the agenda again, an additional two hours of debate are needed before another cloture motion may be offered during that round of debate.

The budget bills contain appropriations for infrastructure, prison reform, and levy improvements near Offutt Air Force Base, as well as regular spending adjustments for the second half of the biennium. The proposed $50 million appropriation for the Transportation Infrastructure Fund that would be created by LB960 is found in LB957. The Appropriations Committee's budget recommendations are available here. The state's budget status is updated each day to show the impact of pending bills.

 

On Wednesday and Thursday, first round debate on a repeal of the motorcycle helmet law, LB900, took six hours before a cloture motion failed on a 30-18 vote.

 

Later on Thursday, senators advanced a series of priority bills from Select File. Amendments were adopted to LB894, a bill to require counsel to be provided for juveniles involved in the judicial system. One amendment, AM2610, would allow counties to create a guardian ad litem division. The amendment was based upon LB673. Another amendment would require information about staffing levels to be reported when juveniles are placed on room confinement. An amendment that was offered and withdrawn due to the threat of a filibuster would have added a juvenile court judge in Douglas County. An amendment is pending that would change the process for determining whether counties would be responsible for the costs of counsel. LB894 appears on Monday's agenda for continued Select File debate.

 

On Friday, senators advanced noncontroversial bills from General File through a consent calendar process.

 

 

 

An amendment to the committee amendment offered by the measure's introducer, Senator John Kuehn, would clarify that the committee amendment applies to actions taken by the Nebraska Legislature.

 

Senator Burke Harr filed three amendments that would define the term "agricultural technology", replace the standard of compelling state interest with a rational basis, and prohibit the Legislature from passing laws which abridge the property rights of citizens and residents of Nebraska.