[{"_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",6258187,"mediaKeyId","3148722-a9700f2142f7d1f2069c33d811202788","parentId",3148722,"title","Senate debate on synthetic cannabinoids pits public‑safety ban against regulation; IPP motion fails","audioSeconds",7296,"startMs",2104000,"endMs",9400000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148722-a9700f2142f7d1f2069c33d811202788&start=2104&end=9400","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148722-a9700f2142f7d1f2069c33d811202788/thumbnail_2104000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6258187/Nebraska/Senate-debate-on-synthetic-cannabinoids-pits-publicsafety-ban-against-regulation-IPP-motion-fails","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258187-82b82bf228a9088928d4f22e18d13b3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771126832&Signature=EB4Dk84Pt1Q7Q8Uk0zL576gXduQTXWMoI58rDKjikEFqflrgFd3TJrUyYOdrRbTcy94Tdu7vKtcxB5BhIpulPAEblRKfWT6LPYjctQrytc~twEbdX-OxDPjqofEHspathGEfSLZ11Do-nruBmiXxTYtNtTMg6nfwD2-d1ZBQ-QMBmwm3cFJdO7TLrXbaB5h9Bhyib00eo7C0Tcq5lIcOt36H1nMMnVz2EGus8YSlVKlnGf77OZ5NozmEEPExD9TozjDgCW~KeTiwoV2fYculhu~~7x12~Q2UF9aMAc~ttzXPOqWXKbV~tcXzg8yGChVRuOb~I6IcuE8RXyw8bTxU~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Legislature","date","2025-04-28T00:00:00Z","article","The Nebraska Legislature spent substantial floor time debating Legislative Bill 316, a measure sponsored in committee by Senator Katrina Kautz that would ban possession, sale and use of certain hemp‑derived synthetic cannabinoids (commonly described in testimony as delta‑8 and similar isomers). The debate split members along public‑safety and regulatory lines and included a failed motion to indefinitely postpone.

Senator Katrina Kautz opened on LB316, saying the bill addresses ‘‘a growing health crisis in Nebraska. Synthetic cannabinoids, including delta 8 THC, are being sold across the state and causing harms to Nebraskans.’’ Kautz told the body that test results and anecdotal reports show products frequently have inaccurate labeling and that many contain intoxicating levels of THC or unidentified chemicals.

Opponents, led by Senator John Kavanaugh, argued a regulatory approach is preferable to a ban and circulated LB16 as an alternative to create licensing, testing, age limits and advertising rules. Senator Kavanaugh characterized LB316 as an overbroad ban and said, ‘‘LB 3 16 just says we're gonna outlaw these things because we don't like them. Right?’’ He argued for licensing, laboratory testing standards, a 21‑plus age limit and local permitting.

Floor actions and procedural votes recorded on the transcript include:
- A motion to cease debate passed by roll call (31 ayes, 9 nays). This cleared the way for a final vote on the IPP motion. (Cease debate vote recorded by the Clerk.)
- Senator John Kavanaugh moved to indefinitely postpone (IPP) LB316; the roll‑call vote on the IPP recorded 10 ayes and 32 nays, and the motion to indefinitely postpone failed.
- Senator John Kavanaugh subsequently moved to reconsider the IPP vote; that motion had been made on the floor and was pending at the end of the provided transcript.

Key factual points and figures discussed on the floor: Senator Kautz and others cited results from the Attorney General’s office and local law‑enforcement purchases and tests, and observed many states have banned synthetic cannabinoids. Opponents repeatedly cited a fiscal note: the Revenue Committee’s estimate that a ban would result in a general‑fund loss of about $1,583,000 (the transcript cites a $1,600,000 figure as a fiscal note approximation); proponents of regulation cited tax receipts from one multi‑store retailer—about $96,000 in sales tax collected in 1 month from roughly 11 locations—as evidence of greater revenue impact if the market were banned.

Committee testimony and floor speakers included public‑health advocates, the Attorney General’s office, industry representatives, and consumer advocates. Supporters of a ban emphasized unknown contaminants, untested byproducts of synthetic conversions, and reports of hospitalizations and serious adverse events; opponents emphasized consumer protection through testing and licensing, avoiding a black market, and temporary economic impacts to retailers and farmers.

The debate also included constitutional and federal‑law points: multiple senators said LB316 would create a state definition of hemp that differs from the federal 2018 Farm Bill definition and raised concerns about interstate commerce and litigation risk.

Where it stands: Because the motion to indefinitely postpone failed on the roll call recorded in the transcript, the bill remained live. Senator John Kavanaugh moved to reconsider that vote; action on the reconsideration was pending in the later portion of the transcript provided to this report.

Sources: Opening statement by Senator Katrina Kautz; floor debate and roll calls recorded in the George W. Norris Legislative Chamber during the 60th day of session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Legislative Morning Session 4/28/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Nebraska Legislature held extended debate on LB316, a bill aimed at banning certain hemp‑derived synthetic cannabinoids, with proponents citing public‑health risks and opponents urging a regulated licensing approach; a motion to indefinitely postpone the bill failed on a 10‑32 roll call.","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},6258191,"Senators delay State Patrol retirement changes, adopt amendments and advance LB645",850,1078000,1928000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148722-a9700f2142f7d1f2069c33d811202788&start=1078&end=1928","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148722-a9700f2142f7d1f2069c33d811202788/thumbnail_1078000.jpg","/articles/6258191/Nebraska/Senators-delay-State-Patrol-retirement-changes-adopt-amendments-and-advance-LB645","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258191-420fffb8c1d4fcd64f42bfcdf3da83fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771126832&Signature=UjcjoG5CfoylGYQMGmVPVoFd4L154wgJDdlsbUcoxx-0ZcgCKLfAjf6j2J~qqopt8OAKaFpoH3MWCbZ~D7aR26nNh6jqqFSO9eWToOywleNMdTLKX~srCqU63tXigw-8mTxWao7F2a7JW0hmX8Gd~0PWZ6QyerWn2l9lVzOcYM6cKimiuq2hJq4fDPgw1FjL6WClp-Qg9nkQrRUFy1MxcttAMCbCbliQAxGsZPmaz7e6-GcQLMQ1Jpul1CJbI5UY9Hab8Uu43fOTiHH788-UgHZVOhYJHYz00pmqH9XA0n1l069cbqW85m1TLmjozglHDKoO2mTtDHLZmA3GkJQfxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nebraska Legislature on its 60th day voted to return Legislative Bill 645 to select file, adopted two amendments that delay and clarify parts of the bill affecting state patrol retirement benefits, and advanced LB645 and related A-bill language for engrossing.

Senator John Ballard, a sponsor of the committee action, told colleagues LB645’s adjustment affecting state patrol retirement implementation would be pushed out ‘‘to the following biennium starting 07/01/2027’’ and asked for a green vote on returning the bill to select file for a specific amendment.

The move came after members raised fiscal and procedural concerns about rapidly changing retirement benefits without full fiscal analysis. Senator Megan Conrad said the body should ‘‘take a more deliberate, cautious approach’’ and seek broader deliberation so stakeholders can have ‘‘full confidence and clarity.’’

On the floor:
- Senator Ballard offered the motion to return LB645 to Select File for a specific amendment; the Clerk recorded 43 ayes, no nays and the motion carried. (Motion: return to Select File; mover: Senator John Ballard; outcome: passed.)
- The Legislature adopted AM 11‑90, which delays implementation of the portion of the BoeStar amendment that affects state patrol benefits until July 1, 2027, and clarifies LB645 does not change state contributions to the Omaha School Employees’ Retirement System (OSERS); the Clerk recorded 41 ayes, no nays and AM 11‑90 was adopted.
- The body later adopted AM 11‑97, which aligns LB645 with select‑file amendments and appropriates funds to cover actuarial studies and one‑time program changes: $40,000 from the School Expense Cash Fund and $26,000 from the State Patrol Cash Fund; the Clerk recorded 38 ayes, no nays and AM 11‑97 was adopted.
- Following adoption of the amendments, Senator Gorecki moved to advance LB645 to Enrollment and Review (E & R) for engrossing; the motion carried.

Senator Bostar, an original author of related provisions, acknowledged the delay was ‘‘somewhat reluctantly’’ supported but said the amendment ‘‘represents the best of what are effectively bad options that are available to us’’ and described the change as necessary after the fiscal representation for the amendment was revised.

Clarifying details provided on the floor included a fiscal figure cited during debate that certain post‑implementation portions were estimated at about $3,000,000 (Speaker: Senator Ballard; context: fiscal impact estimate) and the floor explanation that the AM 11‑97 appropriations are one‑time cash‑funded amounts to pay actuarial work and program changes.

What happens next: With AM 11‑90 and AM 11‑97 adopted, LB645 was advanced to E & R for engrossing; senators and staff said they expect further work in the next biennium to finalize benefit implementation and associated fiscal planning.

Sources: Floor statements and roll calls in the George W. Norris Legislative Chamber during the 60th day, Nebraska Legislature session.","The Nebraska Legislature voted to return LB645 to select file, adopt amendments delaying parts of state patrol retirement changes until July 1, 2027, clarified that Omaha school system contributions are unaffected, approved one-time actuarial appropriations, and advanced the bill for engrossing.",{"_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},6258183,"Senate advances two cash‑funded appropriations bills with no general‑fund impact",136,868000,1004000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148722-a9700f2142f7d1f2069c33d811202788&start=868&end=1004","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148722-a9700f2142f7d1f2069c33d811202788/thumbnail_868000.jpg","/articles/6258183/Nebraska/Senate-advances-two-cashfunded-appropriations-bills-with-no-generalfund-impact","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258183-b39b79bf92854b43781aa3673ad923f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771126832&Signature=ETfnJz5BNIV~97Ppd~6NL64jeI0GtSFgQw5KDmESYS8fPMEF~ACOGw-qR-IRBcY-oIUgPM2C7lProY93JuzJU1RtPzOvIttoTomAlUXIctb-vkxVNqFfmoKkJ~-k8f1HEyR4gYotcKEJGlXtr-NfpCnmXSYoxAINySXzwERfcWzOLJHjrG9mLbErgy2wgdoHq3H1RiBSuI43k5KSfmIsSPqxmkqKj68Dlm9KXPeVqULB9yI22ZzVPiQs5pD2Kc-Wgm1XbIdzixfk82RvXST5Ud66Q-NRz1WjZFL037I0gGR96bCroJDbDWftq-UkhXiBTP6XSGxyEFmZE~KVzKX9bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nebraska Legislature advanced two appropriation measures on routine floor action.

Senator Mike Brandt introduced LB36A, an appropriations bill tied to the Safe Battery Collection and Recycling Act portion of LB36; he told senators LB36A ‘‘does not affect general funds, but is appropriated through the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Fund Cash Fund.’’ The Clerk recorded 35 ayes, no nays on advancement.

Senator Anne Hallstrom introduced LB80A, an appropriation to accompany LB80 relating to protection orders. Hallstrom said a revised fiscal note indicated a $20,000 impact and that LB80A would take the $20,000 from the Supreme Court Automation Cash Fund with ‘‘no general fund impact.’’ LB80A advanced on a recorded vote of 38 ayes, no nays.

Both bills were placed directly on general file earlier and advanced to Enrollment and Review for engrossing after voice and recorded votes.

Sources: Floor remarks by Senator Mike Brandt and Senator Anne Hallstrom; roll‑call tallies recorded on the floor.","Legislators advanced LB36A and LB80A to Enrollment & Review; sponsors said both are cash‑funded and do not affect the general fund.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate debate on synthetic cannabinoids pits public‑safety ban against regulation; IPP motion fails

Senators delay State Patrol retirement changes, adopt amendments and advance LB645

Senate advances two cash‑funded appropriations bills with no general‑fund impact