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Senate advances LB48 after floor debate over pilot program funding and sunset language
Summary
Senators advanced LB48 (and its A-portion) to engrossing after floor debate that highlighted disputes over whether the bill contains a sunset, how the fiscal note treats per‑center funding and permissible administrative costs, and whether the state can afford the program now.
Lincoln — The Nebraska Legislature advanced LB48 to E & R engrossing after a floor debate that centered on whether the measure — described by its sponsor as a pilot program — includes a sunset date and how much the program will cost.
Senator Tiffany McKinney, the bill’s sponsor, asked colleagues for a green vote on LB48. Opponents including Senator John Von Gillern and Senator Tim Anderson raised technical and fiscal questions before the bill advanced.
Senator Von Gillern said the bill is “labeled to be a pilot program for 5 years, but nowhere in the bill is there a sunset date.” He also highlighted a discrepancy between the sponsor’s description of the program and the fiscal note: “Senator McKinney reduced the size of the program down to $500,000 annually… the fiscal note addresses it as $500,000 per center, and there are 2 centers slated in the bill. So the fiscal note says $1,000,000 and $1,000,000 for $2,000,000.” Von Gillern also pointed to an administrative-costs line in section 10 that set administrative costs “no more than 10% of the funds, but it goes on to say up to $100,000 per year,” which he said is inconsistent with a 10% cap on $500,000.
Senator Anderson said she opposed the bill because “we don't have the money for it” and because the bill leaves unspecified who the grassroots organizations are and how the funds will be distributed.
Sponsor McKinney replied that many of the concerns stem from not reading the bill and reiterated that pilot programs frequently do not include sunsets because continuation requires a new bill from the Legislature. “Pilot programs don't need sunsets because after the year is up, somebody would have to bring a bill for the program to continue,” McKinney said.
The body placed the chamber under call during the vote and completed a roll call. The Clerk reported the result as 30 ayes and 13 nays to advance LB48 to E & R engrossing; the bill was advanced. Senators requested a record vote on the motion to advance. The session then moved on to other items.
The exchange shows lingering questions about the measure’s fiscal math and drafting clarity. Sponsors and opponents agreed the issues are technical: opponents asked for explicit sunset language and clarity on per‑center accounting and administrative caps; the sponsor said continuation beyond a pilot would require further legislation.
