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THE CONFERENCE:Candidate Survey (11/2006) making (1/06) Statement (2/05) -Capitol Correspondent:
********* Life Insight: Columns-2008
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Second Half of the 99th Nebraska Unicameral Legislature; 60 Day Short Session Began January 4, 2006, ended April 13, 2006. Education-Related Bills in Blue; Pro Life-Related Bills in Green
(Landis) Proposing to change the laws that prohibit discrimination in housing and access to any “place of public accommodation” to include “sexual orientation” as a protected classification. “Sexual orientation” defined as “a state of being heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual, having a history of such orientation, or being identified with such an orientation,” but not construed as protecting “conduct otherwise proscribed by law.” Includes no exception for religiously motivated actions. NCC Position: Monitor. Status: Introduced Jan. 6, 2005; public hearing March 2, 2005; not prioritized; no action by the Judiciary Committee; carried over from 2005. No activity. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die (last day of the legislative session, April 13, 2006).
(Foley, et. al.) Proposing to establish the crime of “Assault of an Unborn Child” as part of the Nebraska Criminal Code, this bill would make it a crime to “intentionally or knowingly cause serious bodily injury to an unborn child” (first degree) or “recklessly cause serious bodily injury to an unborn child with a dangerous instrument.” Follows up fetal Homicide law of 2003. NCC Position: Support (For NCC Testimony, click here.) STATUS: Introduced Jan. 6; Public hearing was held March 3. Prioritized by Sen. Foley, May 11, 2005. Advanced to General File w/o amendment by Judiciary Committee, March 15, 2005; no further action, in 2005, carried over from 2005; advanced to Select File without amendment on January 18, 2006 after vote to invoke cloture; advanced to Final Reading on March 9, 2006, passed Final Reading on April 12th, 2006, by a vote of 46-1-2 w/AM 3170 and emergency clause. Approved by the Governor, April, 13, 2006. Enacted on April 13, 2006 as amended.
(Stuhr, Aguilar) Proposing the Security Personnel Licensing Act, to require that building security services and security personnel be licensed by the State of Nebraska. Definitions of “security service” and “security personnel” are broad and vague; might apply to school custodians. NCC Position: Monitor; Sought clarification. Status: Introduced Jan. 6; public hearing Jan. 21; reported advanced to General File w/AM59 by the Government Committee Jan. 24, 2005; amendments adopted in 2006; Jan. 30, 2006 advanced to Select File. No further action. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Beutler) Original bill sought to give Omaha and Lincoln virtually unbridled authority to use “special assessments” rather than property tax for any project declared to be a “local improvement, ” i.e., “special taxation,” regular property tax exemptions would not apply. NCC Position: Oppose original bill; Monitor revised bill. Status: Introduced Jan. 6, 2005; public hearing Jan. 18; reported advanced to General File w/AM22 by the Urban Affairs Committee Jan. 27, 2005; carried over from 2005; amendments printed in 2006 which changed the intent of the bill to provide for certain investments by political subdivisions. Revised bill into a constitutional amendment, advanced to Select File on Feb. 2, 2006; advanced to Final Reading on March 9, 2006; returned to Select File on March 27, 2006 for a specific amendment that was adopted and then re-advanced to Final Reading March 27, 2006; passed on Final Reading on April 3, 2006 by a vote of 42-0-7. Presented to Secretary of State as a Constitutional Amendment to be placed on the November 2006 General Election ballot.
(Byars) Proposing to increase from $3,000 to $4,000 the amount that can be placed in an irrevocable pre-need burial trust fund and not be counted towards the asset test for eligibility for medical assistance. Also, the sheltered amount would increase annually by the CPI. NCC Position: Monitor. Status: Introduced Jan. 6, 2005; public hearing Jan. 26, 2005; reported advanced to General File w/AM126 by the Health and Human Services Committee Jan. 27, 2005; carried over from 2005; advanced to Select File, Jan. 30, 2006; advanced to Final Reading on Feb. 10, 2006; passed on Final Reading on April 5, 2006 by a vote of 44-0-5; approved by Governor April 11, 2006. Enacted into law on July 14, 2006.
(Synowiecki, Connealy) Proposing the so-called “Conveyance Safety Act” to put formal inspection and licensing standards into the state’s elevator code. Applies to all “conveyances” and to the design, construction, operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, alteration and repair of conveyances. Authorizes fees for all requirements. NCC Position: Sought Clarifying Amendment. Status: Introduced Jan. 6, 2005, for the Elevator Workers union; public hearing, Jan. 24, 2005; reported advanced to General File w/AM203 by the Business and Labor Committee Feb. 2; not prioritized; no further action, but amendments printed; carried over from 2005. No activity in 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die. Enacted as AM 3224 to LB 489, which passed.
(Natural Resources Committee) Proposing to give cities that are subject to a Federal clean water mandate authority to create a fictional storm water “utility” and to charge fees based on each property’s “contribution” to storm sewer per the extent of impervious surface. NCC Position: Oppose. (For NCC Testimony, click here.) STATUS: Introduced Jan. 6, 2005; public hearing Jan. 19, 2005; not prioritized; no action by the Natural Resources Committee; carried over from 2005. Indefinitely postponed on April 4, 2006 by Natural Resources Committee.
(Gen. Affairs Committee) Proposing to increase license fees under the Bingo Act, Pickle Card Lottery Act and the Lottery and Raffle Act. NCC Position: Monitor. STATUS: Introduced Jan. 7, 2005; public hearing Jan. 31, 2005; reported advanced to General File w/o AM by the General Affairs Committee Feb. 16, 2005; not prioritized; no further action; carried over from 2005. No activity in 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Howard, et. al.) Proposing to assist public schools to implement full-day kindergarten for at-risk children by relaxing levy and budget limits. Did not affect non-governmental schools until amendment was introduced in 2006. Committee amendment requires all schools (public and private, denominational and parochial) to implement full-day kindergarten programs by 2009-10 school year. NCC Position: Monitor original bill, Oppose as amended by Committee (AM1988). STATUS: Introduced Jan. 7, 2005; public hearing Feb. 1, 2005; carried over from 2005. Placed on General File with AM1988 (mandate for all schools), Feb. 16, 2006 later lost as amended by AM2466 (limiting mandate to accredited schools only) failed to advance for review on April 10, 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Schimek, et. al.) Proposing to enable undocumented immigrants to pay resident tuition costs to attend any college or university in the state’s system in accord with several conditions, namely that a petition for lawful status be pending with U.S. INS, that the individual have a home established in Nebraska for at least 180 days; and that the individual have graduated from public or private high school in this state, or have obtained the equivalent of a high school diploma. NCC Position: Support (See NCC testimony.) STATUS: Introduced Jan. 10, 2005; public hearing March 15, 2005; reported advanced to General File w/o AM by the Education Committee June 3, 2005; carried over from 2005; designated priority bill Feb. 6, 2006, advanced to Select File on March 29, 2006; advanced to Final Reading on April 11, 2006; passed on Final Reading April 13, 2006, by a vote of 27-18-04. Vetoed by Governor on April 13, 2006. Motion to override veto passed 20-16-03. Enacted as law on July 14, 2006.
(Stuhr, et. al.) Proposing to create the “Task Force on Trafficking in Persons” to collect and organize data on the nature and extent of human trafficking and to evaluate approaches for increasing public awareness; “trafficking” defined as “all acts involved in the recruitment, abduction, transport, harboring, transfer, sale or receipt of persons, within national or across international borders, through force, coercion, fraud, or deception to place persons in situations of slavery or slavery-like conditions, forced labor or services, such as prostitution or sexual services, domestic servitude, bonded sweatshop labor, or other debt bondage.” NCC Position: Monitor. STATUS: Introduced Jan. 10, 2005; public hearing Jan. 20, 2005; not prioritized; no action by the Judiciary Committee; carried over from 2005. No activity in 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Transportation & Telecommunications Committee) Proposing to change provisions relating to motor vehicle registration, tax and fees, and licenses plates, including use of the words “tax exempt” rather than “exempt” on vehicles that are exempt from taxes and fees. NCC Position: Sought amendment to maintain status quo on “exempt” plates. Status: Introduced Jan. 10, 2005; public hearing Jan. 24, 2005; reported advanced to General File w/AM1010 by the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee April 11, 2005; not prioritized; no further action; carried over from 2005; designated priority bill by Transportation &Telecommunications Committee on Feb. 14, 2006. Indefinitely postponed.
(Byars) Proposing to prohibit the use of tobacco products in educational institutions, both private and public, elementary, secondary and post-secondary, and also to prohibit the use of tobacco products on the grounds of elementary and secondary schools. NCC Position: Sought Amendment. STATUS: Introduced Jan. 11, 2005; public hearing Feb. 3, 2005; reported advanced to General File w/AM374 by the Health and Human Services Committee Feb. 17, 2005; not prioritized; no further action; carried over from 2005. No activity in 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Stuhr) Proposing to create the Task Force on Safe Havens for Abandoned Infants; to collect and organize data on the nature and extent of infant abandonment in the state; to analyze legislation in other states and how they deal with infant abandonment; to identify available federal, state and local programs that provide services to women facing unplanned or crisis pregnancy; to hold one public meeting in each of the three congressional districts; and to file a written report with the Legislature. NCC Position: Sought clarification. STATUS: Introduced Jan. 11, 2005; public hearing Feb. 2, 2005; not prioritized; no action by the Health and Human Services Committee; carried over from 2005. No activity in 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Friend, Synowiecki) Proposing a separate penalty for committing motor vehicle homicide while operating on a suspended, revoked, canceled, impounded or disqualified driver’s license. NCC Position: Sought amendment, to ensure the same change for the separate but parallel statute governing motor vehicle homicide of an unborn child. STATUS: Introduced Jan. 12, 2005; public hearing March 17, 2005; not prioritized; no action by the Judiciary Committee; carried over from 2005. No activity in 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Smith, et. al.) Proposing the Human Cloning Prohibition Act, to make it a Class IV felony to perform or attempt to perform, to derive any product from, to participate in the performance of or in an attempt to perform, or to implant an embryo produced by human cloning; ban applies to reproductive cloning and to somatic cell nuclear transfer (so-called therapeutic cloning). NCC Position: Support (For NCC Testimony, click here.) STATUS: Introduced Jan. 13, 2005; public hearing March 10, 2005; not prioritized; no action by the Judiciary Committee; carried over from 2005. No activity in 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Janssen, Byars, Flood, Pahls) Proposing to require the Department of Motor Vehicles to design a license plate with a facsimile of the Shriner emblems and the message, “Shriners Help Children.” Proceeds from the added cost of such plates would go to the Highway Trust Fund and to the DMV cash fund. NCC Position: Suggested Amendment, extending the opportunity to all nonprofit organizations. STATUS: Introduced Jan. 13, 2005; public hearing March 8, 2005; reported advanced to General File w/AM768 by the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee March 15, 2005; not prioritized; no further action; carried over from 2005. No activity in 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Combs, et. al.) Proposing the Concealed Handgun Permit Act, to authorize individuals to obtain a permit to carry a concealed handgun under certain prescribed conditions and with some locations (e.g. schools, places of worship). NCC Position: Sought clarification regarding church property. STATUS: Introduced Jan 13, 2005; prioritized by Sen. Combs, March 9, 2005; public hearing March 17, 2005; reported advanced to General File w/AM810 by the Judiciary Committee April 1, 2005; carried over from 2005; cloture invoked and passed Jan. 12, 2006; Committee AM810 adopted and bill advanced to Select File; re-designated as priority bill by Sen. Combs Feb. 7, 2006; motion to invoke cloture prevails and bill advanced to Final Reading on March 10, 2006; passed on Final Reading, March 30, 2006 by a vote of 33-12-4. Approved by the Governor on April 5, 2006. Enacted into law July 14, 2006, to take effect Jan. 1, 2007.
(Byars) Proposing financial enhancements for elementary and secondary education, including the Highly Qualified Teacher program to provide reimbursement of tuition to state-certified teachers employed in public schools only, who pursue additional college coursework. NCC Position: Oppose sans Amendment to apply the Highly Qualified Teacher program to state-certified teachers employed by private and parochial schools. For NCC testimony, click here. STATUS: Introduced Jan. 13, 2005; public hearing Feb. 7, 2005; not prioritized; no action by the Education Committee; carried over from 2005; indefinitely postponed by the Committee on Feb. 9, 2006.
(Erdman, et. al.) Proposing to lower the age of majority from 19 to 18 for all purposes except purchasing, possessing and consuming alcohol and gambling. NCC Position: Sought Clarification regarding education and child support. STATUS: Introduced Jan. 14, 2005; public hearing Feb. 24, 2005; prioritized by the Speaker; no action by the Judiciary Committee; carried over from 2005. No activity in 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Erdman, et. al. at request of
Governor) Proposing to change the method of inflicting the death penalty
from electrocution to lethal injection for those convicted of capital crimes
after the effective date of the bill. Those already sentenced would be required
to make a choice between electrocution and lethal injection. NCC Position:
Monitor. STATUS: Introduced Jan. 14, 2005; public hearing March 16,
2005; not prioritized; no action by the Judiciary Committee;
carried over from 2005. No activity in 2006.
Indefinitely postponed by adjournment
sine die.
(Jensen) Proposing to change provisions governing allocation of funding from the Nebraska Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund, including increasing from $2,500,000 to $3 million the portion credited annually to the Tobacco Prevention and Control Cash Fund. Amended during debate to require that the recipients of health care cash fund distributions for biomedical research, i.e., UNMC, Creighton University Medical Center and Boys Town National Research Hospital, have as a condition for receipt of funds, policies that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. NCC Position: Monitor. STATUS: Introduced Jan. 18, 2005; public hearing Feb. 9; reported advanced to General File w/AM735 by the Health and Human Services Committee March 11, 2005; prioritized by Sen. Jensen, March 11, 2005; advanced to Select File as amended by AM1121 (Jensen), FA150 (Chambers), AM735 (committee), 31-5-13, April 7, 2005; bracketed by unanimous consent (Jensen), June 1, 2005; no further action; carried over from 2005; advanced to Final Reading on Jan. 19, 2006; passed on Final Reading on Jan. 31, 2006, by a vote of 46-0-3. Approved by Governor Feb. 6, 2006. Enacted into law, July 14, 2006.
(Beutler, Redfield) Proposing to raise the minimum wage for employees over the age of 17 from $5.15 per hour to $6.26 per hour over a three-year period (37 cents per year), to instruct the State Department of Labor to set the rate thereafter, based on inflation; to raise the minimum “tipping wage” for those over the age of 17 from $2.13 per hour to 50 percent of the minimum wage; and to raise the training wage for employees between the ages of 17 and 20 from $4.25 to $5.15 over a three-year period (30 cents per year) and inflation increase thereafter. NCC Position: Support For NCC Testimony, click here. STATUS: Introduced Jan. 18, 2005; public hearing Feb. 14, 2005; reported advanced to General File w/AM670 by the Business and Labor Committee March 10, 2005; not prioritized; no further action; carried over from 2005; designated Beutler priority bill on Feb. 6, 2006. No activity in 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Johnson, et. al.) Proposing a phony cloning ban, to prohibit the use of cloning technology to create a child, so-called reproductive cloning, but to allow somatic cell nuclear transfer, so-called therapeutic cloning. NCC Position: Oppose. (For NCC Testimony, click here.) STATUS: Introduced Jan. 18, 2005; public hearing March 10, 2005; not prioritized; no action by the Judiciary Committee; carried over from 2005. No activity in 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Connealy, Beutler, Byars & Synowiecki) Proposing to require the Department of Health and Human Services to apply for and use all options available under the Federal Food Stamp Program to increase access to food for low-income people and to bring more federal dollars into local economies. NCC Position: Support . (For NCC Testimony, click here.) STATUS: Introduced Jan. 18, 2005; public hearing Feb. 17, 2005; not prioritized; no action by the Health and Human Services Committee; carried over from 2005. No activity in 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Kruse, et. al.) Proposing a “dram shop” provision to hold liquor retailers and “social hosts” responsible for serving alcohol to minors or visibly intoxicated persons by providing a specific cause of action when injury or death occurs. NCC Position: Sought clarification regarding definition of “social host.” STATUS: Introduced Jan. 18, 2005; public hearing Feb. 23, 2005; not prioritized; no action by the Judiciary Committee; carried over from 2005. No activity in 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Kruse) Proposing to increase the amount of Tobacco Settlement funds dedicated annually for bio-medical research from $10 million to $12 million, the money continuing to be divided among the University of Nebraska, Creighton University Medical Center, Boys Town Research Hospital and UNMC; restriction on use of funds for embryonic stem cell research and cloning would continue. NCC Position: Sought amendment to increase emphasis on adult stem cell research (oral testimony). Status: Introduced Jan. 18, 2005; public hearing March 15, 2005; not prioritized; no action by the Appropriations Committee; carried over from 2005. No activity in 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Thompson) Proposing to create the Children’s Behavioral Health Management Team to oversee the establishment, coordination and promotion of children’s behavioral health services and the application for and implementation of a Medicaid Home and Community-Based waiver for children with serious emotional disorders; also would prohibit the Health and Human Services System from requiring any parent or legal guardian of a child with a serious emotional disorder to relinquish custody of the child in order to receive behavioral health services. NCC Position: Monitor. Status: Introduced Jan. 18, 2005; public hearing Feb. 11, 2005; not prioritized; no action by the Health and Human Services Committee; carried over to 2006; no further action; Indefinitely Postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Howard) Proposing to require that all public school districts by July 1, 2006 adopt policies to prevent bullying, defined as conduct that is based on a student’s actual or perceived identity with regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, sexual orientation or a mental, physical, or sensory handicap and includes any written or verbal expression, physical act, or gesture or a pattern thereof that is intended to cause distress upon one or more students in a school setting. NCC Position: Monitor. STATUS: Introduced Jan. 19, 2005; public hearing Feb. 14, 2005; not prioritized; no action by the Education Committee; carried over from 2005, placed on General File, April 10, 2006. No further action. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die. Indefinitely postponed.
(Thompson, Schimek) Proposing the Healthy Nebraska Rx Card Program Act, to use the state’s bargaining power to obtain better prices on prescription drugs for moderate- and low-income residents; this would use the same negotiating authority the state has for Medicaid, but would extend the purchasing authority to people who purchase their own prescription drugs and whose income is below 300 percent of the federal poverty level. NCC Position: Monitor. STATUS: Introduced Jan. 19, 2005; public hearing Feb. 16, 2005; not prioritized; no action by the Health and Human Services Committee; carried over from 2005. No activity in 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Stuthman, Kruse) Proposing to establish a Provider Reimbursement Advisory Committee, to develop a methodology for determining reimbursement amounts for nongovernmental organizations providing community-based and locally delivered services to children and families, including protection and safety services and treatment services. NCC Position: Monitor. Status: Introduced Jan. 19, 2005; public hearing Feb. 11, 2005; not prioritized; no action by the Health and Human Services Committee; carried over to 2006; no further action; Indefinitely Postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Foley, Pedersen) Proposing the Human Embryonic Research Funding Prohibition Act, to make it unlawful for any person to use state funds to perform or assist in any form of non-therapeutic research that destroys a human embryo; any violation would be a Class IV felony and also impose a civil fine. NCC Position: Support (For NCC Testimony, click here.) STATUS: Introduced Jan. 19, 2005; public hearing March 10, 2005; not prioritized; no action by the Judiciary Committee; carried over from 2005. No activity in 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Foley, Pedersen) Proposing to expand the information required as part of informed consent for abortion to include information about fetal pain. NCC Position: Support (For NCC Testimony click here.) STATUS: Introduced Jan. 19, 2005; public hearing March 10, 2005; not prioritized; no action by the Judiciary Committee; carried over from 2005. No activity in 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Chambers) Proposing to amend the Nebraska Fair Employment Practices Act by adding “sexual orientation” as a protected classification for which employment discrimination would be prohibited. Would apply to employers with 15 or more employees. Sexual orientation is defined as “a state of being heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual, having a history of such orientation, or being identified with such orientation. Sexual orientation shall not be construed to protect conduct otherwise prohibited by law.” Includes an exclusion for bona fide religious organizations and would not apply when such discrimination could be shown to be a necessary bona fide occupational qualification. NCC Position: Monitor. STATUS: Introduced Jan. 19, 2005; public hearing Feb. 23, 2005; prioritized by Sen. Chambers, March 11, 2005; no action by the Judiciary Committee; carried over from 2005; no activity in 2006; Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Chambers) Proposing to repeal statutory authority for capital punishment, to replace the death penalty with imprisonment for life without parole and order of restitution and the minimum sentence would be imprisonment for life; under the maximum sentence, parole would be prohibited, subject only to the power of the Board of Pardons provided by the Constitution. NCC Position: Support (For NCC Testimony, click here.) STATUS: Introduced Jan. 19, 2005; public hearing March 16, 2005; not prioritized; no action by the Judiciary Committee; carried over from 2005. No activity in 2006. Indefinitely postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Friend) Proposing to establish a refundable state income tax credit for expenses incurred in providing education for children in grades K-12. Eligible expenses would include tuition, transportation, per cent of the eligible expenses, to a maximum of $250 per child in elementary grades and $500 per child in secondary grades. NCC Position: Support. (Click for NCC Testimony, or NFCSP Testimony.) STATUS: Introduced Jan. 4, 2006; public hearing Jan. 25, 2006; indefinitely postponed January 30, 2006 by Revenue Committee.
(Friend) Proposing the crime of picketing within 100 feet of any funeral ceremony, procession or memorial service held in conjunction with burial or cremation. NCC Position: Monitor. Status: Introduced Jan. 4, 2006; public hearing, Jan. 25, 2006; prioritized by the Speaker, Feb. 21, 2006; reported advanced to General File w/AM2540 by the Judiciary Committee, 7-0-1, March 2, 2006; no further action; Indefinitely Postponed by adjournment sine die, April 13, 2006. (Provisions/portions of LB 773 amended by AM2700 into LB 287, which passed.)
(Landis) Proposing to establish a refundable state earned income tax credit based upon, and modeled after, the Federal credit, which has proven to be effective as tax relief and a wage supplement for working families on the edge of poverty. State credit would be a percentage (5-25%) of of the federal credit. NCC Position: Support. (For NCC Testimony, click here.) STATUS: Introduced Jan. 4, 2006; public hearing Jan 25, 2006; held by Revenue Committee; indefinitely postponed Feb. 28, 2006 by the Committee. Enacted as AM 2802 to LB 968, which passed.
(Erdman) Proposing to enable home-schooled students to enroll part-time in public school courses and participate in extracurricular activities. NCC Position: Sought clarifying amendments relating to approved and accredited non-governmental schools. STATUS: Introduced Jan. 4, 2006, public hearing January 24, 2006; Reported advanced to General File by the Education Committee with Committee Amendment (AM 2314). The Committee Amendment strikes the original sections and expands the scope of the bill to specifically allow part-time enrollment in public school courses by any public, private, denominational, parochial or home-schooled student. Prioritized by Senator Erdman; Feb. 23, 2006 placed on General File with Education Committee AM2314 (which expands the scope of the bill to include students in any other public or private school) on Feb. 23, 2006; advanced to Select File on April 10, 2006; advanced to Final Reading on April 11, 2006; passed on April 13, 2006 by a vote 34-9-6. Approved by the Governor April 13, 2006. Enacted into law on July 14, 2006.
(Redfield) Proposing revoke a teaching certificate for two years for selling, procuring, or administering anabolic steroids or failing to report such use; require that any student athlete be suspended from all interscholastic sports activities for 12 consecutive months for using anabolic steroids; authorize the State Board of Education to implement a random steroid drug testing process. NCC Position: Monitor. Status: Introduced Jan. 4, 2006; public hearing, Jan. 24, 2006; reported. Indefinitely Postponed by the Education Committee, 6-0-2, Feb. 9, 2006.
(Redfield) Proposing to replace the current sales tax on natural gas, which includes exemptions for qualifying non-profit organizations, with an excise tax, not including similar exemptions. NCC Position: Oppose sans amendment. Status: Introduced Jan. 4, 2006; public hearing, Feb. 10, 2006; reported Indefinitely Postponed by the Revenue Committee, 8-0, March 27, 2006.
(Stuhr, Flood, Johnson) Proposing legal immunity for any person who anonymously leaves an unharmed newborn infant with a safe haven provider; infant must be younger than 72 hours old; safe haven provider would be a firefighter, emergency medical technician; health care provider staff person or staff person of a child placement agency. NCC Position: Sought clarification regarding adoption process. Status: Introduced Jan. 4, 2006; public hearing, Jan. 18, 2006; not prioritized; no further action; Indefinitely Postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Stuhr, et. al.) Proposing to establish new crimes of forced labor or services, sexual servitude and trafficking of victims. NCC Position: Monitor. Status: Introduced Jan. 4, 2006; public hearing, Feb. 22, 2006; not prioritized; no further action; Indefinitely Postponed by adjournment sine die. (Provisions/portions of LB 842 amended by AM2864 into LB 1086, which passed.)
(Cunningham, et. al.) Proposing the Long-Term Care Partnership Program, to encourage the purchase of long-term care insurance by allowing for asset disregard, and thereby improving possibility of Medicaid eligibility, by increasing the disregard by one dollar for each one dollar of benefit paid out by a long term care policy. NCC Position: Monitor. Status: Introduced Jan. 4, 2006; public hearing, Feb. 8, 2006; reported advanced to General File w/AM2154 by the Health and Human Services Committee, 7-0, Feb. 13, 2006; prioritized by the Speaker, Feb. 21, 2006; no further action; Indefinitely Postponed by adjournment sine die. (Provisions/portions of LB 854 amended by AM3151 into LB 965, which passed.)
(Howard) Proposing to appropriate $500,000 General Funds to the Dept. of Health and Human Services Finance and Support for alcohol-related birth defects prevention programs; states intent to use increased tax revenue from liquor sales to subsidize this. NCC Position: Monitor. Status: Introduced Jan. 5, 2006; public hearing, Feb. 13, 2006; not prioritized; no further action; Indefinitely Postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Howard) Proposing to prohibit insurers from denying health insurance coverage of pregnancy under pre-existing condition clauses. NCC Position: Sought clarification. Status: Introduced Jan. 5, 2006; public hearing, Jan. 30, 2006; reported. Indefinitely Postponed by the Banking, Commerce & Insurance Committee, 7-0-1, Feb. 2, 2006.
(Howard) Proposing to require the NE Dept. of Education to establish a separate and stand-alone teaching endorsement for teachers and administrators in early childhood education, applying to those teaching birth through pre-kindergarten preschool. NCC Position: Monitor. Status: Introduced Jan. 5, 2006; public hearing, Jan. 23, 2006; not prioritized; no further action; Indefinitely Postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Howard) Proposing to prohibit “high risk” sexual offenders from residing within 1,000 feet of a school or licensed child care center. NCC Position: Monitor. Status: Introduced Jan. 5, 2006; public hearing, Feb. 16, 2006; not prioritized; no further action; Indefinitely Postponed by adjournment sine die. (LB 1199, which passed, has a related provision.)
(Schimek, et. al.) Proposing to use motor vehicle operator’s licenses as the “trigger point” for advance medical directives (“living wills” and health care powers of attorney) by providing for notation that would serve as notice of the existence of an advance directive, although not itself constituting an advance directive. NCC Position: Sought clarifying amendments. Status: Introduced Jan. 5, 2006; public hearing, Feb. 6, 2006; not prioritized; no further action; Indefinitely Postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Jensen, Kruse) Proposing to increase the gallonage taxes on alcohol, corresponding to an approximate increase of two cents per serving; stated intent is to allocate any additional revenue raised by the change for drug and alcohol treatment programs. NCC Position: Monitor. Status: Introduced Jan. 5, 2006; public hearing, March 1, 2006; reported Indefinitely Postponed by the Revenue Committee, 5-1-2, March 7, 2006.
(Friend, Erdman, Kruse) Proposing a comprehensive overhaul of existing drunken driving statutes, to enhance criminal penalties for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including provisions governing motor vehicle homicide when dui is involved; also, by amendment, to authorize the use of continuous alcohol monitoring devices by drivers sentenced to probation. NCC Position: Sought amendments to make same/similar changes in laws governing motor vehicle homicide when an unborn child is the victim (amendments not accepted). Status: Introduced Jan. 5, 2006; public hearing, Jan. 19, 2006; prioritized by Sen. Friend, Feb. 6, 2006; reported advanced to General File w/AM2604 by the Judiciary Committee, 7-0-1, March 6, 2006; advanced to Select File w/AM2774 (Hudkins) and AM2604 (Committee), 35-0-14, March 29, 2006; advanced to Final Reading as further amended by AM3084 (Bourne), vv, April 5, 2006; returned to Select File for AM3236 (Friend, Dw. Pedersen) and re-advanced to Final Reading, vv, April 11, 2006; Passed on Final Reading, 39-2-8, April 13, 2006; Approved by Governor, April 13, 2006. (Provisions/portions of LB 295 amended into LB 925 by AM2774.)
(Synowiecki) Proposing to repeal the current policy that makes any child conceived and born while the mother is receiving ADC benefits ineligible to receive the incremental additional child benefit of $71 per month. The public policy objective is to teach the welfare recipient a lesson in personal responsibility, but the effect is to make a poor family even poorer. (For NCC Testimony, click here.) NCC Position: Support STATUS: Introduced Jan. 4, 2006; public hearing Jan 25, 2006; held by Health & Human Services Committee; no further action; Indefinitely Postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Jensen) Proposing to allow Nebraska taxpayers to contribute to a tax free savings plan administered by the Secretary of State, at $2,000 per year maximum for married taxpayers and $1,000 per year for individual taxpayers, principal and interest could be withdrawn tax free for either long-term care costs or insurance premiums by one who is handicapped, over 65, or over 62 (insurance premiums.) NCC Position: Monitor. Status: Introduced Jan. 9, 2006; public hearing, Jan. 25, 2006; prioritized by Sen. Jensen, Feb. 16, 2006; reported advanced to General File with AM2587 by the Revenue Committee, 8-0, March 7, 2006; advanced to Select File as amended by AM2587 (Committee), 25-0-24, March 24, 2006; advanced to Final Reading as further amended by AM3019 (Jensen), vv, April 3, 2006; returned to Select File for AM3151 (Cunningham-Jensen) and re-advanced to Final Reading, vv, April 10, 2006; returned to Select File for AM3124 (Jensen) and re-advanced to Final Reading, vv, April 10, 2006; returned to Select File for FA675 (Landis-Jensen) and re-advanced to Final Reading, April 10, 2006; Passed on Final Reading, 45-0-4, April 13, 2006; Approved by Governor, April 13, 2006. (Provisions/portions of LB 854 and LB 966 amended into LB 965 by AM3151 and AM2587 respectively.)
(Jensen) Proposing an income tax adjustment for long-term care health insurance premiums; those taking the standard deduction would be allowed a non-refundable credit for up to $500 of their premiums; those who itemize a deduction for premiums, up to 7.5% of AGI. NCC Position: Monitor. Status: Introduced Jan. 9, 2006; public hearing, Jan. 25, 2006; reported Indefinitely Postponed by the Revenue Committee, 8-0, Jan. 30, 2006. (Provisions/portions of LB 966 amended by AM2587 into LB 965, which passed.)
(Byars) Proposing to prevent public school districts from establishing alternating biennial course offerings in any subject area for which the State Board of Education has adopted content standards. NCC Position: Sought clarification as to implications for accredited non-governmental schools. Status: Introduced Jan. 9, 2006; public hearing, Jan. 24, 2006; not prioritized; no further action; Indefinitely Postponed by adjournment sine die. (Provisions/portions of LB 969 amended by AM2565 into LB 1208, which passed.)
(Howard) Proposing to prohibit employers from mandating employee participation at meetings or events convened for purpose of espousing the employer’s religious or political beliefs. NCC Position: Monitor. Status: Introduced Jan. 9, 2006; public hearing, Feb. 23, 2006; not prioritized; no further action; Indefinitely Postponed by adjournment sine die.
(Preister) Proposing to establish a $500 refundable state income tax credit for persons employed as certificated teachers in any accredited school in Nebraska, public or non-governmental. NCC Position: Support. Status: Introduced Jan 9, 2006; public hearing, Jan. 25, 2006; reported Indefinitely Postponed by the Education Committee, 7-1, Jan. 30, 2006.
(Health & Human Services Committee) Proposing the annual “clean-up” bill requested by the Health and Human Services System, making changes to statutes governing programs under the System’s jurisdiction; also, amended to include provisions of several other bills. NCC Position: Monitor. Status: Introduced Jan. 9, 2006; public hearing, Jan. 19, 2006; reported advanced to General File w/o am. by the Health and Human Services Committee, 6-1, Jan. 20, 2006; advanced to Select File as amended by FA536 (Jensen-Chambers), AM2157 (Jensen et. al), AM2593 (Synowiecki), AM2442 (Jensen) and AM2532 (Byars), 32-0-17, March 7, 2006; advanced to Final Reading as further amended by AM2639 (Beutler), FA538 (Chambers), AM2537(Byars), AM2814 (McDonald-Jensen), AM2657 (Preister) and AM2866 (Johnson), vv, March 24. 2006; returned to Select File for AM2984 (Jensen) and re-advanced to Final Reading, April 3, 2006; returned to Select File for AM3034 (Thompson) and re-advanced to Final Reading, April 3, 2006; returned to Select File for FA667 (Erdman) and re-advanced to Final Reading, April 3, 2006; Passed on Final Reading w/E-clause, 44-0-5, April 6, 2006; Approved by Governor, April 12, 2006. (Provisions/portions of LB 866, LB 892, LB 950, LB 1002 and LB 1254 amended into LB 994 by AM2442; provisions/portions of LB 844, LB 882, LB 1079, and LB 1179 amended into LB 994 by AM2814; provisions/portions of LB 318 amended into LB 994 by AM2866; provisions/portions of LB 445 amended into LB 994 by AM2984; provisions/portions of LB 903 amended into LB 994 by AM2657; provisions/portions of LB 1088 amended into LB 994 by AM3034; provisions/portions of LB 1220 amended into LB 994 by AM2537.)
(Brown, Baker, Howard) Proposing two major changes in the regulation of licensed child-care providers: to increase the number of annual continuing education hours required for full-time child-care providers from 12 to 16 for two years and then to 20 hours; to create a two-tier system of licensure based on levels of excellence. NCC Position: Monitor. Status: Introduced Jan. 10, 2006; public hearing, Jan. 25, 2006; reported Indefinitely Postponed by the Health and Human Services Committee, 5-0-2, Jan. 30, 2006.
(Connealy) Proposing to “fix” legislation passed in the previous session, which established a tax credit for corporate and individual contributions to permanent endowments; effective with 2006, this would allow a taxpayer to take both a federal tax deduction and a state tax credit for planned gifts to Nebraska-based endowments; the credit limit is 10% of the contribution by a corporation and 15% of the present value of the planned gift for resident individuals, up to a maximum credit of $5000 in both instances. NCC Position: Support. Status: Introduced Jan. 10, 2006; prioritized by Sen. Connealy, Feb. 16, 2006; public hearing, Feb. 22, 2006; reported advanced to General File w/AM2567 by the Revenue Committee, 6-2, March 7, 2006; advanced to Select File as amended by AM2567 (Committee), 26-0-23, March 24, 2006; advanced to Final Reading w/o further |