Local weed control authorities, weed management entities, and natural resource districts would have access to $1 million in state funding to help control of phragmites and other invasive species in waterways under LB1038. In 2007, the Legislature appropriated $2 million to control invasive vegetation and additional grant funds were provided through the Nebraska Environmental Trust and other partners. These funds were leveraged into over $18 million spent on riparian weed management in 2007-2014. This funding was instrumental in treating invasive species and increasing flow conveyance, wildlife habitat, and water available for human consumption. The funding in LB1038 would help to continue that work. The bill would reinstate the Riparian Vegetation Management Task Force to help oversee the process. Other provisions of the bill address a water rights agreement between the Nebraska Public Power District and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission regarding the Spencer Dam, revise procedures for the Niobrara Council, and create a permitting procedure through the Department of Roads for trimming vegetation that obstructs advertising signs. LB1038 was advanced from Select File today.

 

Another bill advanced from Select File would place coordination of the plan for next-generation 911 under the oversight of the Public Service Commission (PSC). LB938 would require the PSC to appoint a state 911 director to manage the department within the Commission. The PSC and state 911 director would develop a plan for a 911 service system and hold two public hearings on the plan. The plan would include, at minimum, the costs associated with the implementation and estimated ongoing operation and maintenance of the 911 service system, including which costs that are to be paid from funds collected by the state and which costs would be the obligation of local governing bodies. The plan would also contain a recommendation of the number of public safety answering points that should be maintained in the state that are capable of next-generation 911 service.

 

Several other bills that impact counties were also advanced from Select File this week. LB874 would allow voters to voluntarily photograph their ballot after it is marked and reveal the photograph. These "ballot selfies" are often posted on social media. Other provisions of LB874 would allow the display of yard signs on private property within 200 feet of a polling place or building designated as a place for voters to cast ballots, subject to local ordinance. The property could not be under common ownership with the property on which the polling place or building is located. Other sections of the bill address dates to mail ballots and procedures to petition on to the general election ballot.

 

LB1110 would adopt the Nebraska Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to reflect new federal legislation adopted last summer.

 

LB935 would impose a penalty on governing bodies that fail to provide the State Auditor with requested information regarding interlocal and joint public agency agreements. If the reports are not submitted by August 1, a $20 per day penalty, up to $2,000 per delinquency, would apply.

 

LB1098 would increase the Legal Aid and Services Fund charged in court filings from $5.25 to $6.25. The Fund is administered through the Commission on Public Advocacy to provide grants for providers of civil legal services for low income Nebraskans.

 

Governor Pete Ricketts signed this year's budget bills, LB956 and LB957, and 24 other measures on March 30. Although he expressed concerns about several items, including an additional $1 million for community colleges and increased funding to replace lost federal funds for scholarships, he did not issue any vetoes.  The budget bills contain a $27 million appropriation for prison reform and $13.7 million for levee improvements near Offutt Air Force Base, as well as regular spending adjustments for the second half of the biennium.

Governor Ricketts signed the following bills without additional messages:

 

LB1082 requires notice and copies of Class II commercial underground injection well permit applications to be given to counties, cities, villages, and natural resources districts. The bill was introduced in response to concerns last year about fracking and the regulatory authority of the Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

 

LB83 amends Nebraska's Equal Pay Act to apply to all employers with two or more employees. Existing law sets the number of employees at 15. The Act prohibits wage discrimination on the basis of sex.

 

LB704 clarifies and harmonizes building code statutes for counties and municipalities. For example, the bill requires counties and cities that adopt building, construction, plumbing, electrical or other codes to keep at least one copy of the code for use and examination by the public prior to the adoption of the code and as long as the standard code is in effect. Existing law only requires the code to be on file until its adoption.

 

LB710 redefines the offense of hazing to apply to students of high school age and younger.

 

LB906 authorizes a 30 percent tuition waiver for law enforcement officers who pursue studies leading to a degree that relates to a career in law enforcement from an associate or baccalaureate degree program from a Nebraska community college, state college, or state university. To be eligible, an officer would have to maintain satisfactory performance with his or her law enforcement agency, work for more than 100 hours per year, and be authorized to make arrests.

 

LB1009 creates a penalty for the sale of lookalike drugs, such a K2, that are portrayed as producing effects similar to those of a controlled substance.

 

Property valuation, election deadlines, mandatory minimum sentencing, and other topics of interest to counties will be examined during interim studies this summer. Study resolutions are prioritized by the chairperson of the committee to which they are referred. Public hearings are held throughout the summer on selected studies. A complete list of interim studies is  here.

Daily Legislative Activities
Property tax relief and Medicaid expansion were expected to be the controversial topics this week. However, after less than two hours of debate on Tuesday, this year's Medicaid expansion bill was bracketed until April 20, 2016, effectively ending debate on LB1032 for the session. LB1032 was introduced by Senator John McCollister to create the Transitional Health Insurance Program Act to provide health coverage to 97,000 low income Nebraskans.

First round debate on property tax bills was spread over three days and additional amendments are anticipated on second round debate.

Debate was lengthy on several other bills. LB821 would prohibit public and private employers from requiring or requesting the passwords for personal internet accounts from employees or adding the employer to friend lists. A filibuster ended after Senator Ernie Chambers agreed to accept an amendment with clarifying language.