[{"_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",6260960,"mediaKeyId","3125815-6692da6e9cb951a12cfd3c47cb1b4d20","parentId",3125815,"title","Senate hears hour-long debate on second-look commutation bill; committee amendment removes ‘clean‑slate’ language","audioSeconds",1159,"startMs",13251000,"endMs",14410000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3125815-6692da6e9cb951a12cfd3c47cb1b4d20&start=13251&end=14410","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3125815-6692da6e9cb951a12cfd3c47cb1b4d20/thumbnail_13251000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260960/Nebraska/Senate-hears-hour-long-debate-on-second-look-commutation-bill-committee-amendment-removes-cleanslate-language","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260960-f5be2930aff63844a59ebeeb211e8a28/orig.mp4?Expires=1775409037&Signature=Jbr7QyM5BsMMv-ClLczR7OtUdgS0vFCSkNGiHaHvUhG07On4tdbMrvrMiJDHbujGnyFKCBMGBjOyJAQWtbuibgiLUdYgWctIr19Ysi91aemE~Zyxk67TE1qA42Rtg6wBNwAI-4aLZhgDzRBfWLYGmtqdZwvmO39wGGrNarOm2IONqjIpiVKHf~WN~G099HGB3d1Ukd88joKRL7Y~Z2SmU7XSYYdEd30-rFoTyO4ZFN4Z~8nMad8aR-CoQ67xd7CKDektjJ1UFt-N-eiyiC1g1x8g0fAlS~T-gIh6htz3HLOZUy~fn1Te8I8ln5VwpTMmGXAHepFvuYAn5rQc3Rqxgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Legislature","date","2025-04-24T00:00:00Z","article","Senator John Holcroft described LB 215 as a measure to allow carefully screened, long‑term incarcerated individuals — often called “lifers” — to be evaluated for possible commutation after serving a substantial portion of their sentences.

What the bill would do: Under the version debated on the floor, the bill sets eligibility thresholds (in general terms discussed on the floor: 25 years served for persons whose offenses were committed before age 26; 30 years for older offenders). Eligible inmates would be identified to the Board of Pardons through a review and recommendation process involving the Board of Parole. The Board of Pardons retains final authority to grant or deny commutation.

Committee amendment and what changed: The Judiciary Committee adopted AM556 on the bill and removed an earlier “clean-slate” element that would have automatically cleared some misdemeanor/class‑4 felony records. The committee amendment also replaced some mandatory “shall” instructions in earlier drafts with permissive “may” language to avoid directing the Board of Pardons to specific procedural steps.

Debate highlights and concerns: Supporters — including family members, criminal-justice advocates, and civic groups that testified in committee — argued the amendment preserves a second‑look process that balances community safety and rehabilitation. Opponents (initially including the Board of Pardons and some county prosecutors on the record) raised concerns about cost, potential impact on victims, and the need for robust community involvement in any commutation decision. Holcroft argued the bill actually increases community and victim involvement in the process by routing qualified candidates first to parole hearings, which are held publicly and allow victim participation, and then to the Board of Pardons for the final decision.

Numbers and workload: The sponsor and Judiciary Committee measured eligible population and reported the total number of possible candidates under the thresholds would be small (the sponsor cited roughly 141 incarcerated people who currently meet the years-served thresholds); the committee said current Board of Parole resources handle hundreds of hearings a month and that the incremental workload is manageable (one additional staff person may be required).

Status and next steps: Debate on the floor was ongoing; AM556 represents an effort to cleave off the most controversial automatic record‑clearing provisions and to route commutation review through the parole board for recommendations. The bill remains on general file for further floor consideration and committee- or fiscal‑office follow-up on implementation costs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Legislative Afternoon Session 4/24/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Judiciary Committee’s second‑look bill, LB 215, would let certain long‑term inmates be recommended for commutation after serving decades, but the committee removed an automatic record‑clearing provision and the bill remains on 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},6260965,"Long floor debate ends with committee package advancing midwifery, doula provisions to engrossing",12488,9372000,21860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3125815-6692da6e9cb951a12cfd3c47cb1b4d20&start=9372&end=21860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3125815-6692da6e9cb951a12cfd3c47cb1b4d20/thumbnail_9372000.jpg","/articles/6260965/Nebraska/Long-floor-debate-ends-with-committee-package-advancing-midwifery-doula-provisions-to-engrossing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260965-e6ee6df51364b3a1c7c5cc571b11e40b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775409037&Signature=e33Q6iZMTfXVtdw6NITD31cStlO9r1reGnHjkwa1QLg4I2LvnaSC9wNqRftDyn7zlUuotCCP7QmNUENtDlqiGoPJC7LbEIG7pZALCA05W2DEEb5C1JH22DjstWs7-3qax6gbOHGQAeJXatD2ajdDcjuDyFmG6R4uZCrpxwizGWmDdoqPy818F1Y7~hh6yawHGz-7O3tCEsX~isFrorSSRgcIuT98QBgpncqGSLaI~2nSDT-JhcVGyF6wbFC6e8UY1eIWFQXbQL08hhORhx1qewlFXjdN3J9ft2lGCfBo1gSRltSm2ZDdQmXOVqkFFNg1cbbd0DiJ~k9vD4-w8u-Nfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Legislature advanced a three-part maternal-health package that included changes to certified nurse‑midwife practice (LB 6 76), a proposal to license certified professional midwives (LB 3 74), and a measure to pursue Medicaid reimbursement for doula services (LB 7 01). The package was debated for several hours, produced multiple floor amendments and intense questioning from members, and ultimately the underlying committee package was advanced to engrossing.

What the package contains: Sponsor Senator Mervin Hansen introduced LB 6 76 to give certified nurse midwives (CNMs) independent-practice authority and to remove location restrictions that previously barred CNMs from attending home births in Nebraska. The full committee package (AM655) combined language from LB 6 76, LB 3 74 (to create a separate licensure category for certified professional midwives, CPMs), and LB 7 01 (to create a work group and pursue a state-plan amendment for Medicaid reimbursement for doulas).

Committee amendment and floor debate: The Health and Human Services Committee advanced the package as AM655, but a separate white‑copy amendment (AM914) was filed on the floor by Senator John Frederickson to remove the CPM provisions from the package and to keep CNMs’ independent practice while adding several guardrails suggested by medical groups. Senator Frederickson argued CPMs’ direct-entry training pathways differ markedly from CNMs’ graduate nursing education and raised safety concerns. Senator Frederickson’s AM914 was later withdrawn after floor negotiation; Senator Frederickson pledged to reintroduce language on select file if negotiations did not produce agreement.

Hospital and medical association engagement: The Nebraska Hospital Association and the Nebraska Medical Association engaged extensively in floor-level negotiations. One hospital-requested change (later brought as AM1097) sought to clarify liability language for hospitals that accept transferred patients from midwives; proponents said the amendment provided hospitals a statutory safe-harbor from liability arising from an earlier out-of-hospital transfer, while opponents warned statutory immunity could not fully erase contract or malpractice exposure where negligence occurs.

Doulas and Medicaid: LB 7 01 — included in the committee package — directs a stakeholder work group to prepare a state‑plan amendment to the Medicaid program for limited doula reimbursement for Medicaid recipients. Supporters, including members who work with perinatal quality and managed‑care organizations, said pilot work in the state and national literature shows doula services can reduce cesarean and preterm birth rates and reduce costs; the committee package preserves a funding mechanism (Medicaid managed-care excess-profit fund) for a small pilot if approved.

Floor outcome: Several amendments aimed at tightening the statutory framework failed in recorded votes (AM1097 and AM1094 were debated and not adopted), but after lengthy debate the committee package (AM655) was approved in committee and then the chamber advanced LB 6 76 to E&R initial by recorded vote (clerk record: 40 ayes, 3 nays). Supporters urged continued work on implementation and liability language before final reading; opponents asked for stronger education and credential safeguards for direct‑entry midwives and for protections for hospitals.","After extensive floor debate and multiple amendments, the Legislature advanced a three-bill maternal-health package that expands CNM practice authority, considers licensure for direct-entry midwives, and begins planning Medicaid reimbursement for doula services.",{"_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},6260970,"Senate expands First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act to include correctional and juvenile detention officers",1561,2685000,4246000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3125815-6692da6e9cb951a12cfd3c47cb1b4d20&start=2685&end=4246","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3125815-6692da6e9cb951a12cfd3c47cb1b4d20/thumbnail_2685000.jpg","/articles/6260970/Nebraska/Senate-expands-First-Responder-Recruitment-and-Retention-Act-to-include-correctional-and-juvenile-detention-officers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260970-43b0aeabbf777a1390ce431b20f843bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775409037&Signature=Z-zC2kjFvHS9rTI-wk85HLXvzOP-a5oBMqca6HUZb-AAs7SM-~RPevg7cNjLSXMH7GDiIPkPnEoGpaysaa-Ho-YPryKx4iCp7vwdQ1YekNutYy2Ly3iGPB9-ku7gFf75EiFtn8oXBB6nrJhO2MKRkQrCWbPKkMYExyihtKcPJFPtL8OftTVh-g8Zk~LYXW14~8DO6f~WiBOEzJhkWla2qE7kxsCxdRlh7k2k2JDkPX4QXlKiQAlZNyJxIDRLVHONm7~mu-PLtkblLCDW3KMt7KsnUj9nE6rNCiesETs5JtyNUdsDR9V4HrQBwF~nIpg0x155ncfms43yUvqlP2O1NA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nebraska Legislature adopted a committee amendment and advanced LB 608 to enrollment and review, expanding the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act to include correctional officers and juvenile detention officers and clarifying eligibility language for dependents.

What the bill does: LB 608 extends already-existing tuition remission and related benefits for full-time law enforcement officers and firefighters to correctional officers and juvenile detention officers. The bill also corrects a drafting omission that had excluded civilian firefighters stationed at Offutt Air Force Base. The committee amendment (AM904) narrowed part of the expansion so that the new tuition-remission benefit for correctional and juvenile-detention officers would apply to the University of Nebraska system, with the university to receive 50% reimbursement for those waivers (the amendment removed community and state college coverage to reduce fiscal impact).

Support and rationale: Sponsor Senator John Bostar told the body the program has shown early evidence of improved recruitment and retention in other agencies and cited Lancaster County’s reported rise in deputy applicants after the earlier program took effect. Senator Bostar said the act “offers a solution” to staffing shortages in corrections and juvenile detention facilities, and he referenced national and state vacancy statistics for corrections work to support the bill’s expansion.

Committee and floor action: Senator Von Gillern opened the revenue committee amendment, said the bill came out of committee unanimously and reported supportive testimony from city/county and public-safety interests. The body adopted AM904 on a 33–0 recorded vote and later advanced LB 608 to enrollment and review (clerk record: 35 ayes, no nays on advancement).

Funding and guardrails: The committee amendment narrowed scope to limit the new tuition-remission benefit for correctional officers to the university system only (and provided for 50% reimbursement to the university), a change proponents said was requested by the university to limit fiscal pressure on state colleges while still providing an incentive to recruit/retain staff. Supporters described discussions with the university and the Nebraska Arts Council on a related creative-district/marketing grant bill (LB 560) that also moved forward during the session.

Next steps: LB 608 now proceeds to engrossing. Supporters said they would continue to work with higher education to manage fiscal impacts and implementation details; critics had urged fuller funding for waivers to avoid unfunded mandates but did not block the committee amendment or advancement.","Lawmakers adopted a committee amendment and advanced LB 608, which extends tuition waivers and related benefits to correctional and juvenile detention officers and authorizes a capped marketing set‑aside for creative districts tied to related tourism legislation in the session.",{"_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},6260975,"Legislature advances teacher retirement overhaul after brief technical amendment debate",1023,549000,1572000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3125815-6692da6e9cb951a12cfd3c47cb1b4d20&start=549&end=1572","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3125815-6692da6e9cb951a12cfd3c47cb1b4d20/thumbnail_549000.jpg","/articles/6260975/Nebraska/Legislature-advances-teacher-retirement-overhaul-after-brief-technical-amendment-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260975-bc437df6f420b22d8b778795e65ebaf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775409037&Signature=b4S54N0rwjePlKiNoUZnQfTQu0Nt4q9Cpsoyz7gvbNXukq5aCSLO9AKHoG9RXmUBL4z5L8WhiE1IfC3AZlftHHqphqeFsmCeBCgw-xZVn6b23dMG6wMdEI2n~u-N1AjFoL-cVYnx5trIYNERQGEnnkvGfxnzcF9uHWbKgU4X5NnT1BNGzwi0QINBELhhkYqtfJLYmPCH5w5V0uGpsDRyeBPs-Qgx8XK1xeXlNIFYhAg70qTEFPLraSwxI5hNan5h~hzWyBSoY8m2oRs0WIahdp-Mfae4gCkEYPjgc2Q~G6v~DdSC4F2Vw6CDCjnS~AbfV7bJe4v5-aJ2rigQ43iShQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nebraska Legislature advanced LB 6 45, a broad measure changing state teacher retirement benefits, to engrossing after a floor debate in which Senator Machaela Conrad offered and then withdrew a late technical amendment intended to reaffirm that the state would not assume funding liabilities for the Omaha School Employees Retirement System (OSERS).

Senator Conrad introduced AM1184, calling it “technical in nature” and saying it was meant to “reaffirm our long standing and consistent state policy” that the state should not assume OSERS’ unfunded liabilities. She told colleagues the amendment was drafted because the bill had moved quickly and she wanted to avoid any “wiggle room” that could be read as creating state liability for the Omaha plan. She also offered to withdraw the amendment if members needed more time to study it: “If it provides a sense of comfort or clarity to members, I am happy to withdraw the amendment at this time,” she said.

Why it matters: LB 6 45 reorganizes teacher retirement rules statewide and carries significant budget implications. Senator Conrad pointed to the bill’s most recent fiscal note during floor remarks, saying it showed about $80 million in general-fund savings across the current and next biennium — a figure she contrasted with other revenue estimates discussed in Appropriations. “The fiscal note … shows $80,000,000 general fund savings in this biennium,” she said, adding that revenues and projections can shift during budget work.

Floor exchange and withdrawal: Senators asked for clarification about the amendment’s language and intent. Senator Celeste Clements and others pressed on the amendment’s wording about whether the funded status should be assessed based on the plan rather than the retirement fund. After discussion, and because several senators said they had not had time to study the late amendment or consult with Omaha Public Schools, Conrad withdrew AM1184: “I am happy to withdraw the amendment at this time so that all parties can have a chance to more carefully and fully digest it,” she said.

Oversight and leadership vacancies flagged: Conrad also used floor time to point to turnover and vacancies in retirement-system leadership as a complicating factor for major reform: she referenced the resignation of a director and said nominations remained pending in the governor’s office, and she urged timely appointments to steady stewardship of the systems.

Vote and next steps: After debate concluded, the body approved a motion to advance LB 6 45 to enrollment and review for engrossing. The motion passed on the floor and the measure moved forward for the next legislative step.

What was not decided: Conrad and other senators repeatedly framed the withdrawn amendment as “technical” and said the underlying policy — that the state does not assume OSERS’ unfunded liabilities — was not changing. No final floor vote was taken on the withdrawn amendment; the underlying bill advanced without the late technical language. Fiscal and policy questions raised on the floor — including how freed-up general funds would be handled and longer-term funding assumptions for school retirement contributions — remain subject to committee and budget work during later stages of the session.","The Nebraska Legislature advanced LB 6 45 — a package of teacher retirement changes — after senators debated and then withdrew a late technical amendment intended to reaffirm the state would not assume Omaha Public Schools' retirement liabilities. Fiscal estimates and oversight questions were raised but the bill moved forward to engrossing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate hears hour-long debate on second-look commutation bill; committee amendment removes ‘clean‑slate’ language

Long floor debate ends with committee package advancing midwifery, doula provisions to engrossing

Senate expands First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act to include correctional and juvenile detention officers

Legislature advances teacher retirement overhaul after brief technical amendment debate