Legislative session kicks off with expected debate on taxes, racial justice issues and more

LINCOLN — Nebraska senators will have less than three weeks to debate and pass important legislation, but with repercussions of COVID-19 still unknown some senators are wary about funding for certain bills.

The Nebraska Legislature was expected to reconvene on July 20 after its session was suspended in March because of COVID-19.

Senators will have to pass the state budget when they reconvene. They are also expected to debate a new business tax incentive program, property tax relief, a massive expansion at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and racial justicerelated bills including a proposal for anti-bias training for law enforcement officers.

On July 23, the state’s revenue forecasting board will meet to update its pre-COVID revenue projections, which will give lawmakers a better idea of Nebraska’s economic situation.

Here’s a look at some of the highest priority bills that senators are expected to debate, broken down by legislative committee.

Agriculture

LB1152- Nebraska Hemp Farming Revisions

LB1152 proposed by Sen. Halloran will update the Nebraska Farming Act to adhere to federal regulations. The revision will refer to the federal definition of the acceptable level of THC in hemp and will require laboratories to conduct regular tests on the levels and to include a measurement of uncertainty.

The revisions will further decline what negligent and nonnegligent violations of the act are. Halloran clarified that uncultivated, feral hemp can not be considered for cultivation. The goal of these revisions is to ensure that hemp growth and trade is conducted safely and in accordance to the guidelines. Halloran said that permits to grow hemp will not be given out arbitrarily.

Appropriations

LB780- Nebraska Arts Council provisions

LB780, introduced by Sen. Stinner, authorizes the Nebraska Arts Council to use .5% of the balance of the Nebraska Cultural Preservation Endowment Fund to defray administrative costs beginning in fiscal year 2020-21. Stinner says the current cap is at $30,000. The amendment will allow the funds to be allocated according to what is available in the Endowment Fund as opposed to a fixed limit.

Stinner said the cost of administering the endowment fund currently is 43 percent higher than the budget allowance. He said LB780 would allow the arts council to successfully carry out its mission under its existing funding model.

Banking, Commerce and Insurance

LB997- Adopt the Out-of-Network Emergency Medical Care Act

LB997, proposed by Sen. Adam Morfeld, would prevent consumers from being subjected to surprise billing when using out of network providers or facilities during emergencies. LB997 is Morfeld’s priority bill.

“The only thing a person cares about in an emergency should be getting timely treatment, not if a provider is in-network or out-of-network,” Sen. Mark Kolterman of Seward said.

Business & Labor

LB1060 - CROWN Act

LB1060, introduced by Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, would expand the definition of race for the purposes of workplace discrimination to include hair texture and styles. Hair texture and protective hairstyles including, but not limited to, braids, locks, and twists would be included within the definition of race under the Nebraska Fair Employment Practice Act.

“African American men and women have reported that they, due to their natural hairstyles, such as dreadlocks and afro, have been unable to participate in school sports and even maintain their employment,” Cavanaugh said during a Feb. 3 Business and Labor Committee hearing.

Bills such as LB1060 are referred to as CROWN Act bills. The CROWN Act stands for “creating a respectful and open world for natural hair.” Seven states have already adopted bills similar to LB1060, and 23 states have introduced similar legislation.

LB1060 is on select file, the Legislature’s second phase of debate and voting.

LB962 - Adopt the Fair Pay to Play Act

LB962, introduced by Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, would allow student athletes at all Nebraska colleges to enter into sponsorships. Under the bill, student athletes could earn money from their name, image and athletic reputation.

Student athletes still couldn’t enter into sponsorships that would require displaying the sponsor’s name or logo during games or conflict with an existing team contract.

“LB962 is about the right of every student to work to participate in the free market and to have the same freedoms as their peers on college and university campuses,” Hunt said at the bill’s Business and Labor Committee hearing on Feb. 3. “I brought this bill to empower student athletes to make the most of their gifts and talents.”

Education

LB1089 - FAFSA Completion Requirement

This bill would require high school students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid prior to graduation. Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha who proposed the bill believes it will lead to more low-income students enrolling in college.

In states including Louisiana, Texas and Illinois where similar bills have passed, there have been higher FAFSA completions rates as a result. Vargas, who was a firstgeneration college student, said he hopes this gives students from a low-income background more options.

“(Higher education) was a gamechanger for me, and I’ve made it one of my commitments in the Legislature to remove barriers to access higher education,” Vargas said. “This is one avenue that is going to get financial resources in front of families that need it the most.”

Government, Military and Veterans Affairs

LB918 - African American Commission

LB918, proposed by Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, would create a 14-member commission of African Americans to keep the Legislature and governor informed of issues affecting the African American community.

“It’ll be a direct voice to the governor and to the Legislature,” Wayne said. “So I think it’s important that we have people on there who will voice their concerns.”

The bill would also require a disparity report on government contracting to be conducted every other year beginning in 2022. This disparity report would be conducted by the African American Commission in conjunction with the state’s existing Indian Affairs Commission and Latino American Commission.

LB918 is on select file, the Legislature’s second phase of debate and voting.

Judiciary

LB924 - Anti-bias Training

LB 924, proposed by Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, would require all law enforcement officers in Nebraska to complete two hours of anti-bias training a year. The requirement would be in addition to the 20 hours of continuing education a year already required of law enforcement.

The bill would also enforce the requirement of anti-bias training by preventing agencies that haven’t completed the training from receiving funding from the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement.

“People say, which I don’t accept, that these officers are unaware of these hidden biases, or prejudices,” Chambers said. “If they are required to take some training, there are people who know how to present this issue to them, uncover for them, what these biases are, and they can guard against them when they’re policing certain communities where people live who they may not like.”