Sen. DeKay had five bills signed into law this session
On April 18, 2024, the Legisla - ture completed its work for this 60day session. Although the last day is typically reserved for veto overrides and closing remarks, the Legislature also took action on 15 bills.
Notably, the Governor's proposed property tax package contained in LB388 stalled when it became clear the bill did not have the votes to break a filibuster. LB388 was then passed over on the agenda at the request of the introducing senator meaning the bill did not receive a final vote prior to adjournment. A second bill, LB1363 relating to rate and disbursement of the documen - tary stamp tax, was similarly passed over at the request of the introducing senator when faced with the threat of a filibuster. All other bills pending on Final Reading were passed by the Legislature. With fewer filibusters this session, more was able to get done. Five of my bills, excluding appropriations bills, were passed and signed into law by Governor Pillen this year. Two of them passed as standalone legisla tion. LB1301 adopts the For - eign-owned Real Estate National Security Act and was my personal priority bill for the year. Nebraska is one of the most productive bread - baskets in the world, and this bill is a first step to help ensure the state can divest foreign adversaries which own land that constitutes a threat to national security or food and water security. With the passage of this law, Nebraska joins neighboring South Dakota, Iowa, and Missouri in modernizing its foreign land own - ership statutes. LB51 repeals obsolete language regarding the use of the state's telecommunications systems by members of the Legislature.
LB966 updates the meaning of a steady red arrow indication and provides a definition for a flashing yellow arrow in order to comply with federal tra$c laws. The bill also allows the Depart - ment of Transportation to set a more exact variable fuel excise tax rate by shifting a decimal value. LB966 was amended into LB1200, the Trans - portation and Telecommunications' Committee priority bill, and passed on a 47 to 0 vote.
LB1038 revises the membership of the Nebraska Information Tech - nology Commission to require that of the five members appointed to the Commission from the general public, one shall have agriculture as their principal business or occupation. This change ensures there is more rural representation when the Com - mission carries out stra - tegic planning relating to information technology development in the state. LB1038 was amended into LB1031, the Trans - portation and Telecom - munications' Committee priority bill relating to broadband, and passed on a 47 to 0 vote. LB969 increases the threshold for public power districts before a sealed bid is required to be obtained. The thresholds for small districts will rise from $250,000 to $750,000 while the threshold for the large districts will rise from $500,000 to $1.5 million. These thresholds were last updat - ed in 2009, meaning some public power districts are now needing to wait 4 to 6 months to get routine items such as electric transformers which can delay repairs or improve ments. This bill will help public power save time and money by not needing to acquire sealed bids for routine purchases. LB969 was amended into LB1370, the Natural Resources' Committee priority bill relating to public power, and passed on a 40 to 0 vote.
I will be back in Niobrara for the time being now that the Legisla - ture has adjourned. With the tax package having stalled, Governor Pillen announced he will be calling at least one special session this year to find an alternative means to deliver property tax relief. During the interim, I will try to get around the district as much as possible while also traveling to Lincoln for meetings and o$ce work. Your can contact me at: Sen. Barry DeKay, Dist. 40, P.O. Box 94604, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509. Or at bdekay@leg.ne.gov or call (402) 471-2801.