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Nebraska Legislature opens session facing $432 million shortfall; LB 81 among early bills
Summary
The Nebraska Legislature convened Jan. 8 for the first session of the new biennium. Lawmakers introduced 129 bills and three constitutional amendments; session leaders flagged a projected $432,000,000 budget gap and set public hearings to begin Jan. 22.
The Nebraska Legislature convened Jan. 8 for the first session of the new biennium, and lawmakers introduced an early package of proposals as they prepare to address a projected $432,000,000 shortfall in the state budget. The session is scheduled for 90 days, with public hearings on introduced measures set to begin the afternoon of Jan. 22.
A legislative report said 25 senators were sworn in at the opening, including 19 freshmen and one returning former member. Senator John Arch was elected speaker, and committee chairs were chosen for each of the Legislature's standing committees, establishing the leadership that will shepherd bills through hearings and floor debate.
By the end of the third day, the report said lawmakers had introduced 129 bills and three constitutional amendment measures. Among the early proposals, the report highlighted LB 81, described as a measure intended to address changes to the property tax credit enacted during a recent special session. Lawmakers also introduced bills proposing a winner-take-all allocation of presidential electoral votes, a provision to allocate 5% of nameplate-capacity taxes to community colleges, a reduction in annual training hours for law enforcement officers in counties with populations under 40,000, and the removal of weight limits on certificates of title for ATVs and UTVs.
Public hearings on the introduced bills are scheduled to begin Jan. 22 and are expected to continue through March, with the session tentatively set to adjourn on June 9. The Legislature posts daily agendas, calendars and hearing schedules on its website, and Nebraska Public Media live streams floor debate. National Association of Counties (NACo) officials plan to meet as a legislative committee on Jan. 23 to consider taking positions on introduced legislation; interested parties were directed to contact NACo or consult its newsletters for participation details.
The session's early days centered on establishing leadership and beginning the flow of legislation. Attention is likely to focus in coming weeks on the budget gap and any proposals that would alter property tax relief enacted earlier in the year. Public hearings beginning Jan. 22 will be the next formal opportunity for lawmakers and members of the public to weigh in on specific measures.
