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Legislature confirms natural resources and power board appointments; Transportation committee forwards underground‑excavation nominees
Summary
The Legislature approved gubernatorial nominees to the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission and the Nebraska Power Review Board and the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee reported five nominees to the Underground Excavation Safety Committee; committee reports were adopted on the floor.
The Legislature adopted committee reports that advanced several gubernatorial appointments Thursday, including reappointments and a new member to the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission and a reappointment to the Nebraska Power Review Board.
Senator Brandt, speaking for the Natural Resources Committee, presented three nominees consolidated for a single vote: the reappointment of Matt (Brad) Dunbar to the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission (four‑year term), the reappointment of Craig Hutchison to the Nebraska Power Review Board, and the appointment of Matt Smallcomb to the Natural Resources Commission to fill a vacated term. Brandt summarized each nominee’s background: Dunbar as a regional manager at Lindsay Corporation representing manufacturing interests, Hutchison as a retired Navy engineer and current Power Review Board chair, and Smallcomb as city administrator of Gibbon representing municipal water users.
Senator Klaus offered floor support for the three nominations, saying of Dunbar: "Brad is very competent" and that Smallcomb "understands natural resources not only, water assistance for the municipality but also, flood control and, wastewater treatment." The clerk recorded the adoption of the committee report (recorded: 39 ayes, 0 nays). The committee report was adopted and the nominations were advanced.
Separately, Senator Moser reported that the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee advanced five nominees to the Underground Excavation Safety Committee: Brandon Jones, James Seville, Jeffrey Grady, Aaron Krebs and Trevor Roth. Moser described the committee’s role in reviewing complaints under Nebraska’s 1‑call notification system and summarized each nominee’s background in utilities and construction. The Transportation and Telecommunications Committee report was adopted on the floor (recorded: 42 ayes, 0 nays).
The nominees advanced from committee will be considered for final confirmation in subsequent floor action. Sponsors described unanimous committee support in each case and noted there were no online comments or testifiers in opposition at the committee hearings.
