[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6297764,"mediaKeyId","2506836-e0d5d9cc1ffcdfc51aa1875730fab46f","parentId",2506836,"title","Statewide mandatory server training cleared committee amendment but bill fails to advance","audioSeconds",9278,"startMs",1206000,"endMs",10484000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506836-e0d5d9cc1ffcdfc51aa1875730fab46f&start=1206&end=10484","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506836-e0d5d9cc1ffcdfc51aa1875730fab46f/thumbnail_1206000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6297764/Nebraska/Statewide-mandatory-server-training-cleared-committee-amendment-but-bill-fails-to-advance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6297764-12cd3451984966be88531c195b974dcd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771049466&Signature=VvRFIInvzOO6L~UAUvPePz~of4W-Hn7LK-grgsdWFx8L6aGpnm-1MMYt9szjIhCsqHDajAilTuFQmTXiaSzc1TEQ7Eu3UvA4juZyq0M5rLPn-IvBFj5DAqn0IRP0-iPFPMpPK54M5mHTDHVbCTcf4HTRu7D~~SCTxR236IcByyShDffdn3dY~jv2dxkvAenM6mG5Hi5MArUP8JTWv6o~hZn7Z4QjzPKHYwFbF4yJluwUNPL1-rz0lpgZaC~3lA4qiHdbOVXQXW2H6JvRVON9q6LifLC9GglJiyyvDojWhoLOtSQyiUkvrGJl0O-0NY-t1h7iwjD~2RhTgMoaEaR-TQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Legislature","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","The Nebraska Legislature debated LB178, a bill that would require statewide mandatory server training for anyone who sells, serves, mixes or verifies age for alcoholic beverages, but the bill failed to advance after prolonged floor debate about fees and regulatory burden.

Sponsor Senator Mike Klaus said the proposal responds to a rise in compliance failures documented by the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission after the COVID‑19 pandemic. Under the bill as amended, the commission would offer a mandatory training and certification; a certificate would be valid for three years and the legislation sets a $20 fee per applicant to cover administrative costs. Special designated licenses staffed primarily by volunteers would require only the manager on duty to be certified, and peace officers would be exempt; those exemptions were added in AM 199, the General Affairs Committee amendment.

AM 199 was adopted on the floor after a roll‑call sequence and was recorded as adopted (committee tally reported as 30 ayes, 6 nays during the call and subsequently confirmed on the record). The amendment adds the volunteer/manager exemption and clarifies a peace‑officer exemption, among minor technical changes.

Floor debate included senators who supported mandatory training as a tool to reduce sales to minors and overservice. Senator Klaus said training programs used elsewhere showed reduced compliance failures and the bill would allow the Liquor Control Commission to administer and track training centrally. Senator John Kavanagh noted outreach indicating that jurisdictions with training requirements saw lower compliance‑check failure rates and urged the Legislature to allow the bill to proceed so amendments could address implementation concerns.

However several senators opposed the measure as written, citing costs and operational burden on small businesses. Senator Moser asked why servers must pay an additional $20 fee for training already commonly required by many employers. Senator Mikaela Kavanaugh and others described a vote‑record issue during floor procedure; senators later moved and won a motion to reconsider to ensure an accurate final vote on a prior amendment. Senator Hunt said she would not support new fees for servers earning tipped wages and urged alternatives such as enforcement against bad actors rather than a broad new mandatory program.

After the committee amendment was adopted, the Legislature voted on advancement of LB178 to enrollment and review. The bill did not advance: the tally on advancement was recorded as 9 ayes and 26 nays, and the bill failed to move forward that day.

Key details:
- AM 199 (committee amendment) adopted; it exempts volunteer‑staffed special designated license events (manager must be certified) and exempts peace officers from the training requirement.
- The bill would require certification for persons who sell, serve, mix or check age for alcoholic beverages; certificates would be valid for three years.
- A $20 fee per applicant was included in the bill as a funding mechanism to cover commission costs; senators questioned whether local jurisdictions' existing training should be recognized to avoid duplicate fees.

Sponsors said the training aims to reduce sales to minors and overservice by making training standardized and trackable. Opponents said the fee and mandatory requirement impose additional costs on small employers and servers and urged further changes or local carve‑outs. With the bill failing to advance, supporters said they would consider amendments and further discussions before attempting another floor vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Legislative Morning Session 3/4/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senators adopted a committee amendment on mandatory server training that exempts volunteer‑staffed special designated licenses and peace officers, but LB178 failed to advance after extended floor debate over costs and business burdens.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NE, Nebraska","taxId",77675,"location","Nebraska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6297769,"Nebraska bill revises cash‑device definitions, doubles certain licensing fees every other year",657,1076000,1733000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506836-e0d5d9cc1ffcdfc51aa1875730fab46f&start=1076&end=1733","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506836-e0d5d9cc1ffcdfc51aa1875730fab46f/thumbnail_1076000.jpg","/articles/6297769/Nebraska/Nebraska-bill-revises-cashdevice-definitions-doubles-certain-licensing-fees-every-other-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6297769-4896bcd3103be0de5c724d7b5a5fc775/orig.mp4?Expires=1771049466&Signature=hptnzi5hwWgIzIrfZXdjZDFgpVqDM9WQfb0h6yPFgzDFsGmTqhdtmBgtSM71oibelEkN63AK0RAmwg--vy87qwWjT4nABs7tKuSgpW6aIUNitFUrK76d1pHeQ9JhxNqkUiq0YJlAhJvfULl68tVbVXu6Rl6Qc~R~j0AHwlEtqLYnGI183B7-zwRjTSoXxcS4XDXFThWeafQEBTJ8YELpksx-Y9JYj~V-QyTFMXLkTeuhqJ7GOnsK5rRE-J~bD~2VlMsjV7RgN13qXrvFvqR86GBKqeLK6S-1iCxzOBtMhps~QGsAcx~4ydsj9516PmDmRiJ0Nu4qa7auG7bpgVMxMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawmakers adopted a General Affairs Committee amendment to LB177 that clarifies definitions in the Mechanical Amusement Device Tax Act and aligns licensing schedules and fees with a new every‑other‑year renewal cycle.

Senator Mike Klaus, sponsor of LB177, said the white‑copy amendment AM 87 addresses ambiguities in the definitions of “distributor” and “operator” that produced confusion under changes made in a prior session. He told senators the committee also moved license renewals for manufacturers, distributors and operators to a biennial schedule and doubled per‑device fees to reflect the longer license term.

AM 87 also contains technical revisions to background‑check language to maintain access to the FBI’s background‑check system, Klaus said. The General Affairs Committee adopted the amendment on an 8‑0 committee vote and the floor sustained the committee amendment by a voice/record vote recorded as 35 ayes, no nays.

After adoption of AM 87, the Legislature advanced LB177 to enrollment and review on a 35‑aye, no‑nay vote. Sponsors said the change is designed to reduce administrative burden on state staff and industry by moving to a two‑year licensing cycle and consolidating fee collection. The fiscal note was adjusted to reflect doubling fees (e.g., a distributor fee shown as $200 per device every two years rather than $100 annually).

Senator Holcroft, speaking for the committee, described AM 87 as a “white copy” amendment that retained most of LB177’s content while clarifying fee timing and removing unrelated language from the original bill.

No opponents were recorded at the bill’s General Affairs Committee hearing, committee materials show. With AM 87 adopted, LB177 will proceed through enrollment and review before further floor consideration.","The Legislature adopted a committee amendment making technical fixes to definitions for cash‑device licensing, doubled certain device license fees to reflect biennial renewal and advanced LB177 to enrollment and review.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6297774,"Nebraska Legislature advances bill expanding self‑distribution for craft brewers and distillers",5697,707000,6404000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506836-e0d5d9cc1ffcdfc51aa1875730fab46f&start=707&end=6404","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506836-e0d5d9cc1ffcdfc51aa1875730fab46f/thumbnail_707000.jpg","/articles/6297774/Nebraska/Nebraska-Legislature-advances-bill-expanding-selfdistribution-for-craft-brewers-and-distillers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6297774-0c72c1b131106917285a14bbea566d1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771049466&Signature=IHI6aclZAvvm7YQC023hYPVM3dkDsF1MKS43DsQjCmmqWW5IpjBJc~8pu66fI7cKCsATqfIVbPGFhMmZrvgIXY96T7FY3LMEGqcXEAzB~ktuq50ZFkuFYwsJ5QbYNa0VjMfQp4Rqpz5KqPTSwjFCi--hNfZ60dRXElIg9C2iYNThtdG1O40HSD4C8uug3Fw8aB-onYQDgkZDzV00pqvvz2l4QlcGCNKRB~iPUoKuE3iPt22pz5-WMdoURwYS63jHzmWQXpEmIhnTMUivANtJwCTRBmxIm3401K-b5cdoaTgQSi4WM-Ikr9899izmhvHrN2WdjMtsiuZ9sFFeO74Bag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators on the Nebraska Legislature advanced LB113 on a bipartisan vote after adopting a committee amendment that raises limits on in‑state craft distiller and brewer self‑distribution and increases the number of off‑site retail locations allowed.

The committee amendment, AM 02:32, increases the permitted self‑distribution cap for craft distillers to 3,500 gallons and raises the allowed number of retail/tasting locations from five to eight. The General Affairs Committee amendment was adopted on the floor by a recorded vote of 36 ayes and 3 nays, and the bill later advanced to enrollment and review on a 36‑aye, 5‑nay vote.

Supporters said the changes are intended to help small Nebraska businesses expand market access. Senator Curt Quick, sponsor of LB113, described the bill as “an economic development bill for these local businesses” and said it would help small distilleries and breweries reach more customers in their home districts.

Senator John Kavanagh, who voted for the committee amendment despite reservations, said the existing 500‑gallon cap was too low to make self‑distribution economically viable. “One of the reasons folks haven't started the self‑distribution is because it's not economically viable for them to do it at 500 gallons,” he said. Kavanagh said he supported increasing the cap but wanted further conversation on the precise threshold.

Opponents urged caution about rapid expansion. Senator Carol Raybould said she opposed AM 02:32 and proposed a floor amendment that would have limited self‑distribution to 1,000 gallons and increased locations to six. Raybould argued the larger increase could advantage a few already successful operators and risk legal or market consequences. “There are only two operators exceeding that limit,” she said, referring to production figures distributed to senators.

Senator Holcroft, who spoke for the General Affairs Committee, described AM 02:32 as a compromise designed to preserve the three‑tier regulatory structure while allowing small producers greater flexibility. Holcroft noted Nebraska wineries already self‑distribute at higher volumes and said the amendment allows limited direct sales while keeping larger volumes in the distributor tier.

Senator Raybould’s floor amendment, FA 27, was defeated on final reconsideration by a vote of 10 ayes and 33 nays. Raybould had moved FA27 as a narrower compromise after the committee amendment passed; she withdrew closing remarks and later waived closing when the body voted.

Votes at a glance:
- Adoption of AM 02:32 (committee amendment, limits set to 3,500 gallons and 8 locations): adopted, 36 ayes, 3 nays.
- FA 27 (Raybould floor amendment: 1,000‑gallon cap and 6 locations): not adopted, final tally 10 ayes, 33 nays.
- Advancement of LB113 to enrollment and review (E&R) initial: advanced, 36 ayes, 5 nays.

The bill drew extended floor debate spanning business and legal concerns, including questions about whether higher self‑distribution limits could invite out‑of‑state competition or legal challenges under the dormant commerce clause and whether geographic restrictions on additional tasting rooms should be added. Senators raised the practical cost‑benefit issue for small producers who must decide whether hiring drivers and buying trucks is justified by small increases in allowed distribution.

Senators who spoke in support emphasized local economic development and using Nebraska‑grown inputs; opponents flagged competitive fairness and legal risk as reasons for a more conservative increase. Several senators suggested potential follow‑on amendments to constrain locations by geography or to require divestiture above certain production thresholds.

With the committee amendment adopted and the bill advanced, senators indicated time remains to file or consider additional amendments before final passage. The bill now moves to enrollment and review as the Legislature continues consideration of alcohol and business regulation measures.","Lawmakers approved a committee compromise to raise craft distillers' self‑distribution limit to 3,500 gallons and expand off‑site retail locations to eight; a floor amendment to cut the increase failed and the bill advanced to enrollment and review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Statewide mandatory server training cleared committee amendment but bill fails to advance

Nebraska bill revises cash‑device definitions, doubles certain licensing fees every other year

Nebraska Legislature advances bill expanding self‑distribution for craft brewers and distillers