[{"_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",6086204,"mediaKeyId","2898237-fc9c4d270c21cccd917e1d9f7ec8f268","parentId",2898237,"title","Senate advances changes to judicial nominating commissions to expand candidate pools and permit electronic voting","audioSeconds",215,"startMs",5760000,"endMs",5975000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2898237-fc9c4d270c21cccd917e1d9f7ec8f268&start=5760&end=5975","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2898237-fc9c4d270c21cccd917e1d9f7ec8f268/thumbnail_5760000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6086204/Nebraska/Senate-advances-changes-to-judicial-nominating-commissions-to-expand-candidate-pools-and-permit-electronic-voting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086204-a345898e64aaf424c03b32ecdfa57a26/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949067&Signature=gl2WQ4lxhdaU2fajuIICbPYdJzIYCWFUXryuFln1FSUUPE-6tiMeXdJwH7~Ios2fqSLt45NGVvOIrKWcMpTcq-YbSi7v1zM1Gom8yx2Z1ffI~OwxPk9-SMaCBJLUUbdthB8juFPq4wdEmwUt7LOPrEHZZlpo9LF2EOWjzOrQTOeZE3sidUaz751VZ~qf5PFn9LRDl0k1VKFvSPs7GNNpDi3uAaemaOnWueGkcHrfVzAEE4L8vg63lD3tGBjnL1y4R77ih5qz7XQbfR8Y9WzJGOyV2f4-G0XJ8vwu5CZPgMAVg3ThhEgvIbmroewam7nUkgicIqLyPk~D4d3G5u8kvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Legislature","date","2025-04-03T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Suzanne DeBoer opened debate on LB 388, a bill that changes the operation of Nebraska’s judicial nominating commissions. Lawmakers heard that the bill was requested by the Nebraska State Bar Association and the Supreme Court and aims to address member recruitment and administrative procedures in nominating commissions.

What the bill would change: LB 388 extends the time for the Bar Association’s executive council to nominate attorney candidates (moving the deadline to Nov. 1), increases allowable consecutive service on a commission to 12 years and lengthens the period a former member must wait before reappointment (from 6 to 10 years). The bill also permits both lay and lawyer members to serve on more than one commission, so long as they reside in the judicial district, and authorizes the clerk of the Supreme Court to use electronic voting for lawyer-member elections.

Sponsor remarks: Sen. DeBoer said the changes are intended to \"ensure these critical commissions function effectively and efficiently for our judicial selection process\" and noted the bill had a Judiciary Committee 8-0 recommendation.

Support and debate: Sen. John Kavanaugh described the practical limits that smaller or rural districts face and noted concerns about people serving on multiple commissions, especially where commissions meet frequently. The floor speakers generally framed the bill as operational improvements to make nomination processes more workable, particularly in rural districts that struggle to find lawyer candidates.

Floor action: With no further questions in the queue, DeBoer waived closing and the body advanced LB 388 to E & R initial.

Ending: Supporters said the technical changes will broaden candidate pools and modernize election procedures while preserving residence requirements for commission members.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Legislative Morning Session 4/3/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A bill from Sen. DeBoer updates statutes for judicial nominating commissions, extending nomination deadlines, permitting members to serve on more than one commission and allowing electronic balloting for lawyer-member elections; the measure advanced from general file.","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},6086209,"Senate advances bill to create suicide mortality review team focused on veterans and statewide data",314,4010000,4324000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2898237-fc9c4d270c21cccd917e1d9f7ec8f268&start=4010&end=4324","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2898237-fc9c4d270c21cccd917e1d9f7ec8f268/thumbnail_4010000.jpg","/articles/6086209/Nebraska/Senate-advances-bill-to-create-suicide-mortality-review-team-focused-on-veterans-and-statewide-data","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086209-43ba6a05c0e8d560eee3760a0da40919/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949067&Signature=o-f0FCAokQSirEBlcX31hE9Cagw9cUqg8cCZOxFt662yZESsbAajMdSpLH2Z3MZMXQ8wYSP4Avod8vix0AJWiIbZRablMtfYAzxwJOB1XeGUy4E~WS~HwewTCrPAFKEpIPzHxr9SI2aWd38Zbrh6~rrPpDPF7w-kzGr1H54eV9~ts0I4RkWO0AT3OzEgeHkQZGoYFSV-74jBpkqjMKyn9DdjOno3fsCWNguVnkkoSQ0whkvEsEowx9SDognwJxN~0tz5GgPI7oWi3yEX2wPpDs1mxEdBEqV928LVUuamaAFGWQrQsizu6ThHBqELPg6JZgANwEumNDgoQTp9G4xwMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Tom Dungan’s bill to establish a Suicide Mortality Review Team advanced unanimously from the floor April 3 after the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee’s amendment was adopted. The measure would create a multidisciplinary review body to collect data on suicides, develop investigation protocols and recommend statutory, training and service changes aimed at preventing future deaths.

Why it matters: Nebraska has emphasized veteran suicide reduction under a recent Governor’s Challenge. The review team is intended to create a formalized, multiagency process to gather incident-level information, identify trends and propose actionable preventive steps for veterans and the general population.

Key provisions: The bill designates the director of the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs (or the director’s designee) to be part of the team; requires representation from the Nebraska Violent Death Reporting System, Division of Behavioral Health, local law enforcement, hospital and EMS representatives, mental-health professionals, education administrators and a veteran’s representative; directs the team to develop a suicide-mortality data collection system and conduct an annual analysis; and authorizes the team to develop protocols for investigations and to recommend changes in statute, training and services.

Committee amendment: AM 5 65 clarifies that \"director\" refers to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs director or designee and adds an explicit requirement that a veterans’ representative be included on the review team. The amendment passed the floor on a unanimous committee vote and was adopted by the Legislature.

Sponsor remarks: \"Having this established review team with the Department of Veterans Affairs will be a game changer for our veterans dealing with mental health issues and for Nebraskans struggling with mental illness across the entire state,\" Dungan said. The sponsor noted existing federal grant funding and emphasized the bill’s zero general-fund impact.

Floor action: The committee amendment AM 5 65 was adopted on the floor (36 ayes per clerk record at adoption), and LB 414 advanced to E & R initial with the clerk later reporting 37 ayes on advancement.

Ending: Supporters said the review team will produce data-driven recommendations to reduce suicides and improve coordination among law enforcement, medical examiners, health facilities and social services.","Lawmakers unanimously advanced a bill to create a Suicide Mortality Review Team housed at the Department of Veterans Affairs, designed to collect and analyze suicide data and recommend prevention measures; the committee amendment clarifies director/designee language and mandates a veterans representative.",{"_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},6086214,"Senate approves crypto-mining changes allowing public power districts greater control over infrastructure costs",1566,3750000,5316000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2898237-fc9c4d270c21cccd917e1d9f7ec8f268&start=3750&end=5316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2898237-fc9c4d270c21cccd917e1d9f7ec8f268/thumbnail_3750000.jpg","/articles/6086214/Nebraska/Senate-approves-crypto-mining-changes-allowing-public-power-districts-greater-control-over-infrastructure-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086214-b5688ed3d826d05269479d8cbcff33e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949067&Signature=KNF5qKgju89aQxZbbKCERemBzoKYEyA658vA4klFrsposA28KGfNNqDJHfbN5XFa7yLHm7MDszikZBQNgrqkhItI7pnwuMyqBG4lgWzaGQDnnY~GslQ9Vu6nlFWbMzAHV2SCiUNt~XUo7o4B7maJun-sjryS0esBOCtyiuQvIfkXC0InUUUxOqKjzH86m9j9c4-xGZitQ~rtBggWoY50R5UwH4j~GMM5k1BFaroCmhukuuis0DBcE6-pzN2jxaYV8gtLmuOYDL547dm9wnoEKi3k83J~dcrgJFhAo8OodFPyNWJzUG9WjQJA~qi4gqfj8SNEFDG-9qiElRG9wo5DGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Mike Jacobson’s bill to address electricity demand from large cryptocurrency mining operations drew extended floor debate April 3 before the Legislature adopted a committee white-copy amendment and advanced the measure to the enrollment stage.

Why it matters: The amendment responds to concerns from public power districts and communities that large, energy-intensive mining operations can create heavy loads that affect grid reliability, delay industrial projects and change long-term planning for generation and transmission.

What the amendment does: The adopted amendment (AM 6 91) removed a proposed excise tax, required that operations consuming at least 1 megawatt run under interruptible rate schedules so they can be curtailed during peak demand, authorized public power suppliers to require payment or letters of credit to recover major infrastructure upgrade costs, and required public disclosure of the number of mining operations and each operation’s annual energy use in a supplier’s service territory.

Sponsor’s view: \"This is about managing growth responsibly and protecting the long term integrity of our public power system,\" Senator Jacobson said on the floor, adding the change \"allows public power suppliers to require crypto mining operations to recover the cost of major infrastructure upgrades.\" He characterized the amendment as a balance between protecting ratepayers and allowing industry flexibility.

Support and concerns: Rural public power leaders said miners can provide steady off-peak load and revenue if they are interruptible. Craig Cox of South Central Public Power District (written testimony read on the floor) said miners there have doubled energy sales without new substations and paid upfront for required facilities. Speakers also flagged that large loads can displace industrial recruitment when utilities cannot guarantee available power.

Floor action: The amendment AM 6 91 was adopted by the body; the committee amendment was recorded as adopted by voice and then by roll call. The bill, as amended, was advanced to E & R (enrollment and review) initial.

Ending: Sponsors said the measure is a proactive framework for utilities to manage very large energy users, including potential future attention to similarly large consumers such as data centers or AI facilities.

Provenance: Discussion opened on the bill’s general-file introduction and debate (see transcript blocks 7397.61 through 8711.97 for debate, amendment adoption and advancement).","After lengthy floor debate, the legislature adopted an amendment to a bill on cryptocurrency mining that requires interruptible rates, reporting and allows public power suppliers to require infrastructure payments from large miners. The measure advanced to enrollment.",{"_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},6086219,"Legislature approves wide slate of bills in final-reading session",500,5700000,6200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2898237-fc9c4d270c21cccd917e1d9f7ec8f268&start=5700&end=6200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2898237-fc9c4d270c21cccd917e1d9f7ec8f268/thumbnail_5700000.jpg","/articles/6086219/Nebraska/Legislature-approves-wide-slate-of-bills-in-final-reading-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086219-ee8b86ecd1382353ee6a943f42633cf8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949067&Signature=iLeEuTNOPY25M9SdiW9mXqcK3WcpZwXZgZ5zJtuXkINStck-D2ZqnWVIvHHj-1qHXtlYRLaeSoTggRS1oxDhPgoOYlymjwvuIE8PvrZuuWkAp~WP1yT6wv409bpi1Ilf~fD4AmIy0dGyZ7-~N7VeT6bub7ihuUsJukt~JxXNoKxWR0yDjz0rtkSDT9Lye8ZSK-em3HgvHRu17NZfj2Zn~bmZxyjDW5ibpDmeFf4IzlhN~X8q-FcAaPowHc2x8xyal~rP66CHTp7eeW9jq5KZh404~oTKVPSGwo-wL2N4dkUmRdzI8Bhtwx6G8oT3A60Y4qSfsBMsxfYOwfKnmdhICg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nebraska Legislature passed scores of bills on final reading April 3, advancing a mix of policy changes and appropriations that the body said will affect state operations, health programs and local governments.

Among bills the Legislature approved on final reading were LB7, LB22 and LB22A (health and program-related language and appropriations), LB41 and LB41A (health program appropriations), LB105 (local government/utility/precinct language with an emergency clause), LB143 and LB144 (school and veterans' preferences measures), LB168 (pharmacy/contract protections; emergency clause), LB179 (retirement plan changes), LB185 (landlord/tenant and electronic notice updates), LB195 (overdose response and related protections) and many other measures covering childcare licensing, tourism grants and procurement rules. Speaker Arch also announced he had signed multiple bills later in the day into the record.

Why it matters: Final-reading passage is the decisive step before bills reach the governor. Several measures approved on April 3 include emergency clauses that make them effective upon signature; others contain new appropriations or policy shifts that will affect state and local programs and finances.

Vote tallies (as recorded by the clerk in session): LB7 — 47 ayes, 0 nays; LB22 — 47 ayes, 0 nays; LB22A — 47 ayes, 0 nays; LB41 — 47 ayes, 0 nays; LB41A — 47 ayes, 0 nays; LB105 (w/ emergency) — 46 ayes, 1 nay; LB143 — 47 ayes, 0 nays; LB144 — 47 ayes, 0 nays; LB168 (w/ emergency) — recorded as 42 ayes, 5 nays; LB179 — 47 ayes, 0 nays; LB185 — 47 ayes, 0 nays; LB195 — 47 ayes, 0 nays. (Clerk records for many bills show unanimous or broad margins; where the record printed a clerk tally that was ambiguous, the clerk notation is quoted here rather than interpreted.)

What next: Bills that passed will be enrolled and transmitted to the governor for signature or veto consistent with statute. Measures carrying emergency clauses take effect when signed; others take effect at the statutorily prescribed time.

Ending: The Legislature moved from final reading business into general-file consideration of additional bills after the roll-call session. The clerk’s journal contains the full recorded tallies and the journal entry lists final actions for each bill passed on April 3.","The Nebraska Legislature passed multiple bills on final reading April 3, including measures on property, health programs and local taxing authority. Several bills carried emergency clauses; roll-call tallies are listed where the clerk recorded them.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate advances changes to judicial nominating commissions to expand candidate pools and permit electronic voting

Senate advances bill to create suicide mortality review team focused on veterans and statewide data

Senate approves crypto-mining changes allowing public power districts greater control over infrastructure costs

Legislature approves wide slate of bills in final-reading session