[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6277838,"mediaKeyId","2646138-e25c75f8f60721b5b13f9b7bc84e65c4","parentId",2646138,"title","Pure Food Act update and fee schedule draw scrutiny; bracket motion filed","audioSeconds",780,"startMs",9315000,"endMs",10095000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2646138-e25c75f8f60721b5b13f9b7bc84e65c4&start=9315&end=10095","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2646138-e25c75f8f60721b5b13f9b7bc84e65c4/thumbnail_9315000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6277838/Nebraska/Pure-Food-Act-update-and-fee-schedule-draw-scrutiny-bracket-motion-filed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277838-540f4aeda80818b9c7e20f1908d08361/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105191&Signature=IqAY7ndVc6Y-TtO6x~7930f82lTunj6z~o4kmNIiVKks2svBzrcBy8fakEaVrn4sq9ChrAXvZTiXKCOaOs8NPNds~1VkkJm1BJZR~7tu2tH4mS18QMApUKAdqLNU80fIYKYXMBC7taw~Yo0gqocKCy0NhID7Ae1bO~xAh1Y7GsA4cVhdivCFtFj-EWYCnaKaVDCGAd5dawrxlx86lzdchv5ZfcfEl3-ACQ8xV56WeZ2os-nl-TFqqCTXYjXOPnaGYsHMaZNZ3hvcpm8-YuVzS3qQLOEkXAwKTyf7B4iM7gIVn-CW3uJb-OzYOHty3-6LBo0GC6DVuER1Yc3hpPmjqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Legislature","date","2025-03-13T00:00:00Z","article","Lawmakers considered LB245, a Department of Agriculture request bill that updates the Nebraska Pure Food Act to incorporate the 2022 FDA Food Code and replaces older state provisions with current federal good‑manufacturing regulations (21 CFR part 117). The bill also proposes changes to definitions and the permitted duration for single‑event vendors and includes statutory caps for inspection and licensing fees.

The committee amendment (AM501) retained the major statutory updates but modified the fee proposal. Instead of adopting the administration’s recommendation to fully cash‑fund the pure‑food inspection program, AM501 phases in more modest, inflation‑based increases intended to preserve the existing roughly 50/50 split of general‑fund and cash‑fund support for the program.

Senator Joni Kaye (Senator Kaye) introduced the bill on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and summarized the package: it incorporates the 2022 FDA Food Code and updates manufacturing sanitation and inspection processes already used by many facilities. The amendment also expands the permitted duration for single-event (temporary) food vendors from 2 days to 4 days and clarifies exemptions for operations that provide only delivery services.

On the floor, Senator Mikaela Kavanaugh offered a motion to bracket the bill (MO72) and used her time to criticize broader fiscal choices by the Legislature: she argued fee increases, tax cuts for higher-income earners and other measures shift burdens to working Nebraskans and cash‑fund raiding, while cutting or eliminating programs for vulnerable populations. Kavanaugh’s remarks also tied this session’s budget priorities to other HHS and TANF-related decisions discussed on the floor.

Floor action and status: The committee amendment was offered and explained; the bracket motion (MO72) to postpone consideration was filed and opened on the floor by Senator Kavanaugh. The transcript records Kavanaugh’s motion and lengthy remarks but does not record a final roll‑call on the bracket motion within the provided excerpt.

Why it matters: The bill modernizes food-safety statutes (aligning state law with national standards) and would change the statutory fee cap that pays for inspections. That fee authority affects the Department of Agriculture’s cash fund and whether the inspection program remains partially general-funded. The proposed changes affect food producers, retail foodservice establishments, festival vendors and the department’s budgeting for inspections.

Provenance: The Planning/committee amendments and Senator Kaye’s and Kavanaugh’s floor remarks are recorded in the transcript where AM501 and MO72 were discussed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Legislative Morning Session 3/13/2025, 10:00:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","LB245 would update the Nebraska Pure Food Act to adopt the 2022 FDA Food Code and modernize manufacturing sanitation standards; the committee amendment limits fee increases to inflationary adjustments rather than full cash‑funding.","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},6277843,"Debate over single license plate and fees surfaces during LB97; amendment delays change to 2029",867,8198000,9065000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2646138-e25c75f8f60721b5b13f9b7bc84e65c4&start=8198&end=9065","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2646138-e25c75f8f60721b5b13f9b7bc84e65c4/thumbnail_8198000.jpg","/articles/6277843/Nebraska/Debate-over-single-license-plate-and-fees-surfaces-during-LB97-amendment-delays-change-to-2029","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277843-0fa4258f12df36cf6548d0afc28e553d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105191&Signature=UUGrfHli7ENK3PWb5dS240BfUJZOFa05-QdIOrkLGeFMX4LzDCnAUDf1CcdoC9raf5Qb6z4P4d5Yrscr1~MMgxXfXj-WHXJWUAwk-XbUyA18kq6accU1CrEdIaR5Gd~VvzPlYqOFg1PGzoD~TTgLLW4DY~TbX5pzAAzrO6cep7DBicZAJh8ckVKCJziGBTwdhuZY-Ub5zSA1~X~Zw7rZOHvUtqjdWoWdy5Q6g5ELCWbw0HB70bYwzhzGzZwFn6gDL4SQWKDQS9BC7EqNKMy0FyKzaYPL7yrAHGzpk12MjVBv0FwF~R9Vr0hhcF2QzVahp1OjQNuEJk7oD4OqaK~TgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators debated an amendment to LB97 that would change Nebraska’s two‑plate system to a single license plate issued per vehicle and delay the change until the next plate cycle in 2029. The proposal, offered as AM507 and attached to committee amendment AM292, prompted floor discussion about costs to drivers, enforcement concerns and projected state savings.

The amendment’s sponsor, Senator Mike Von Gillern (Senator Von Gillern), told colleagues the change would eliminate the state’s annual $50 windshield-sticker option and reduce the number of plates manufactured, producing both fiscal savings and an environmental benefit. Von Gillern said the amendment seeks to “optimize the proposal’s positive fiscal and environmental impacts” by issuing only one plate per vehicle beginning in 2029 to coincide with the next plate cycle.

Law-enforcement and rural-safety questions: Senator Brandt and other rural senators raised concerns about law enforcement’s ability to identify vehicles during pursuits and about the value rural residents place on county-numbered and alphanumeric plates. Brandt said front plates help identify out‑of‑county vehicles when responding to property or trespass complaints. Senator Klaus asked how automatic license-plate readers and enforcement tools would be affected; the amendment sponsor responded that scanners and systems already read rear plates in other states and that law enforcement would retain tools for plate identification.

Fiscal and consumer arguments: Senator Von Gillern and supporters argued the change could save Nebraska drivers and the state millions of dollars across plate cycles by eliminating duplicate plate production and customer costs for front‑plate mounting. Opponents cited law-enforcement concerns and the existing option that already allows drivers to display a single plate for a $50 fee; some senators opposed making the change mandatory.

Floor action: The body considered AM507 as part of AM292 to LB97. The Clerk recorded a roll call on AM507 (a tally of 30 ayes and 5 nays was announced on the floor), and the transcript records further proceedings on AM292 and LB97. The committee amendment AM292 (which included the plate proposal as AM507) was adopted on the floor, and LB97 advanced to E & R Initial with the committee amendment attached.

Why it matters: Changing to a single plate would alter a long-standing registration practice, have small direct fiscal effects on the Department of Motor Vehicles (plate production and related fees), and affect drivers who choose front-plate displays or dealerships that install brackets. The proposal also raises questions about enforcement practices, plate-scanning systems and the timing of implementation.

Provenance: The discussion and votes are recorded in the session transcript and the Clerk’s roll-call announcements during consideration of AM507, AM292 and LB97.","Lawmakers debated AM507 to LB97, which would move Nebraska to a single license plate issued for each vehicle and delay implementation to the next plate cycle (2029). The amendment drew discussion on costs, law-enforcement implication and potential savings; the committee amendment and LB97 ultimately advanced to E & R.",{"_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},6277848,"Nebraska Legislature advances multiple bills on final reading; several pass with emergency clauses",316,1048000,1364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2646138-e25c75f8f60721b5b13f9b7bc84e65c4&start=1048&end=1364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2646138-e25c75f8f60721b5b13f9b7bc84e65c4/thumbnail_1048000.jpg","/articles/6277848/Nebraska/Nebraska-Legislature-advances-multiple-bills-on-final-reading-several-pass-with-emergency-clauses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277848-44df2f98d1449c9930bcd9c1d20a3a9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105191&Signature=P485zE4Je-Lx-SnU4kZynPZAIfSud7frhFy8qoVs9c1VmpikHsysTXxRXmdhwa2qdgV5bkPPd0hM2WRtCv5omeRdQTg18qz6v2EyofnrjRVkZ7ZaJE2261lZ5T9mJcdUaE7hS0V3ZV17YZr-F4iKrKoFmhoA71QbQhqN5T4OA3nHvp~d2xnzjdHMKCaXQVcHhw0LRetpHQVOQPKwj3j3~GYLmwKpSu~f-Z9UMsDkLpqw6wurwS8ATX--MCQzf~uhKkdgi7dVcCrKbRO6EJC27JY4djI4uJLqZiKkNgSSoT472n0isV1W5X8vWOEj4cRddkGfIp2XVpTYUm5ieuUKWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nebraska Legislature advanced and, in several cases, passed multiple bills on final reading during the floor session in the George W. Norris Legislative Chamber. Lawmakers recorded final votes on a set of bills ranging from liability and environmental measures to changes in state agency authority and code revisions.

The bills passed on final reading included LB241 (passed), LB247 (passed with emergency clause), LB286 (passed), LB289 (passed with emergency clause), LB377 (passed), LB396 (passed) and LB593 (passed). Vote tallies recorded on the floor are listed below.

Why it matters: Final-reading passage moves bills to the governor (or enacts them if they include emergency clauses). Bills approved with an emergency clause take effect immediately on signature; others follow the normal effective-date rules. The measures approved affect a range of state programs, regulatory authorities and appropriations processes.

Key outcomes and tallies (as recorded on the floor):

- LB241 — Outcome: Passed on final reading. Recorded tally: 36 ayes, 11 nays, 2 excused/not voting. Subject (from bill title/readings): definitions and limited liability exemptions for certain private entities; text read on the floor as LB241.

- LB247 — Outcome: Passed with emergency clause. Recorded tally: 44 ayes, 3 nays, 2 excused/not voting. Title as read: Department of Environment / energy and related sections; emergency clause attached.

- LB286 — Outcome: Passed on final reading. Recorded tally: 47 ayes, 0 nays, 2 excused/not voting (as announced by the Clerk during final reading).

- LB289 — Outcome: Passed with emergency clause. Recorded tally: 47 ayes, 0 nays, 2 excused/not voting (as announced by the Clerk during final reading).

- LB377 — Outcome: Passed on final reading. Recorded tally: 40 ayes, 6 nays, 3 excused/not voting (as announced on the roll call).

- LB396 — Outcome: Passed on final reading. Recorded tally: 47 ayes, 1 nay, 1 excused/not voting (as announced by the Clerk).

- LB593 — Outcome: Passed on final reading. Recorded tally: 47 ayes, 0 nays, 2 excused/not voting (as announced by the Clerk).

Additional floor activity: The Clerk announced a number of committee priority designations and communications from the governor and members. At least some bills read on final reading earlier in the day were later presented to the governor (the Clerk recorded that several bills read on final reading were presented to the governor at 11:14 a.m.).

What happens next: Bills that passed will be enrolled and forwarded for the governor’s signature; measures carrying emergency clauses take effect on signature. For bills that passed without emergency clauses, standard effective-date rules apply or are specified in each bill.

Votes-at-a-glance provenance: The transcript for the session records the move to final reading and the roll-call tallies referenced above. The body recorded the roll-call counts into the journal as the Clerk read the vote tallies.","On the floor during final reading the Legislature advanced a package of bills, including LB241, LB247, LB286, LB289, LB377 and others. Several measures passed with emergency clauses; recorded vote tallies are included.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6277833,"Senator Kavanaugh criticizes budget priorities, TANF use and repeal of autism waiver in lengthy floor remarks",1103,1502000,2605000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2646138-e25c75f8f60721b5b13f9b7bc84e65c4&start=1502&end=2605","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2646138-e25c75f8f60721b5b13f9b7bc84e65c4/thumbnail_1502000.jpg","/articles/6277833/Nebraska/Senator-Kavanaugh-criticizes-budget-priorities-TANF-use-and-repeal-of-autism-waiver-in-lengthy-floor-remarks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277833-8da3b0e84f0868c86c0c6d7883255e38/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105191&Signature=P2QweJx~0s2ptLyBdad-sCoGcz7HgZfQVCN2mO9pDt4FA~3kKWV-HUZALKJQxqs4hc~pSqtZc-o9ctoeX02KQTC8WKx2kNaiGu~otda2QaKE1TApmnBshRXRLhCcjqOuvacvAxCeak45Ec5WoiHROhDlt9LdbXtF5JFbB8VvfMKJ-i3pUGJtilrNYvrs7pcWiJ5OlhTTxJCOgrPYMdTAUnBAWEyfA6sY9Oqt9KffX08awgL1SmwN7mJ8lo-hM7aWiH~Ns4iS9wbJ6pHa7AlvLc4Ugl3wKim6J8qoCbCzPBbo4GwdPZsRvTrUspPZUQD09wPI5TMqHUu4Izmt4zViPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Mikaela Kavanaugh used floor time during final-reading proceedings to deliver an extended critique of the Legislature’s fiscal and policy priorities, focusing on the budget, use of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds, and the proposed HHS priority bill (LB376), which she said contains an “outright repeal” of an autism waiver that had been authorized in 2007 but never launched due to lack of funding.

Kavanaugh argued the state is choosing a budget that prioritizes property‑tax relief over funding government services such as libraries, community supports and services for people with disabilities. “We are choosing to have a deficit,” she said on the floor, arguing the state had shifted money into a fund to reimburse property taxes rather than sustain program funding. Kavanaugh said some TANF spending is directed to nonmedical crisis‑pregnancy centers and “fatherhood” programs rather than direct cash assistance to low‑income families, and she criticized what she described as over‑regulation and intrusive program requirements for TANF recipients.

She also objected to provisions in the HHS priority bill (LB376) that would remove statutory language and programs — including an autism waiver that could have been a future tool for addressing the DD (developmental disability) waiting list. Kavanaugh warned that repealing existing statutory tools would make it more time‑consuming to reinstate them later and reduce options for serving people with developmental disabilities.

Kavanaugh’s remarks referenced the Blind Commission and Hard of Hearing Commission cash funds and argued that reducing or raiding those funds and other DEI‑type programs would hurt vulnerable Nebraskans who rely on services for workforce access and independence.

Floor context: Kavanaugh spoke during several opportunities on the floor; her speech addressed a broad set of budget and policy concerns rather than a single motion. Other senators recognized guests and offered brief remarks during the same floor period.

Why it matters: The comments frame concern about how the Legislature’s budget and policy choices affect low‑income Nebraskans, people with disabilities and community services. If programs are repealed or their statutory authority removed, restoring them would require new bills, hearings and funding decisions.

Provenance: Kavanaugh’s remarks are recorded in the session transcript during consideration of several bills and committee reports (notably during floor consideration of committee amendments and in remarks surrounding LB376 and TANF funding discussion).","Senator Mikaela Kavanaugh used floor time during final reading to criticize the Legislature’s budget choices, the handling of TANF funds, repeal of an unlaunched autism waiver in LB376 and cuts to DEI-related programs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pure Food Act update and fee schedule draw scrutiny; bracket motion filed

Debate over single license plate and fees surfaces during LB97; amendment delays change to 2029

Nebraska Legislature advances multiple bills on final reading; several pass with emergency clauses

Senator Kavanaugh criticizes budget priorities, TANF use and repeal of autism waiver in lengthy floor remarks