2019 Nebraska Legislature

[iamjacobm]

Another year another round of changes up for discussion.

https://www.omaha.com/news/legislature/ ... 52725.html

Nebraska already allows 16-year-olds the freedom of the open road.

Now, a Lincoln state senator wants to give them the chance to choose state and local leaders and decide ballot issues.

State Sen. Anna Wishart said Wednesday that she plans to offer a constitutional amendment next year to lower the state's voting age to 16. The measure would apply only to state and local elections.

[buildomaha]

At 16 I was just voicing my parents political opinions and calling them my own... how can you expect someone to make informed decisions about th government before they’ve taken a government class?

[Big E]

Passing the citizenship test should be a prerequisite for voting. And you should have to re-up every 10 years.

[Coyote]

Bills to watch in Nebraska Legislature address teen tanning, conversion therapy and more

Tan banning
Conversion therapy
Revenge porn
Medical abortions
Retired Military taxes
More specialty plates

[Coyote]

Texting while driving could get you pulled over under bill introduced in Legislature

LB 58 would allow authorities to temporarily take guns away from people suspected of being dangerous. It was introduced by Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln

LB 110 would add Nebraska to 32 states that have legalized nonrecreational cannabis. A leader of the committee leading a similar petition effort, Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln, introduced the bill.

LB 39 would make not buckling up a primary offense, meaning that an officer could pull you over if you or your passengers are without a seat belt. LB 40 would make texting on the road a primary offense, and for teens with learner’s permits or provisional licenses, using a cellphone and driving. Both were introduced by Sen. Robert Hilkemann of Omaha.

LB 38 would eliminate the second license plate required for vehicles. It was introduced by Hilkemann.

Corn would become Nebraska’s state vegetable if LB 105, introduced by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha, is passed.

New wildlife conservation plates would show “support for the conservation of Nebraska wildlife, including sandhill cranes, bighorn sheep, and cutthroat trout.” Fees would go into a conservation education fund. LB 128 was introduced by Sen. Dan Hughes of Venango.

LB 83 would eliminate the two-year waiting period for felons to vote after the completion of their prison sentence or probation. Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha offered the bill, just as he did in 2017. The previous bill was vetoed by Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha introduced LB 44, his perennial bid to eliminate the death penalty.

Chambers’ LB 46 would end mountain lion hunting in Nebraska. Another Chambers bill, LB 45, would repeal a law allowing counties to eradicate prairie dogs on private land.

Schools would be required to display the national motto, “In God We Trust,” under LB 73, introduced by Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard.

Erdman also introduced Legislative Resolution 3CA, a proposed constitutional amendment to provide income tax credits equal to 35 percent of property taxes paid.

[Coyote]

Linehan moves into tax reform leadership role in Legislature

Beginning her third year as a state senator, Lou Ann Linehan was handed the reins of the Legislature's Revenue Committee on the opening day of a 90-day session that will put her at the center of the politically charged and daunting battle over tax reform.

[daveoma]

I'm really happy to see the ban on conversion therapy.

Revenge porn should definitely be illegal, but should perpetrators register as sex offenders? That seems to be an extreme form of punishment to me, or perhaps a punishment reserved for someone who has been convicted several times.

[Brad]

Here we go again... State Senator Tom Briese introduced LB314.

The proposal would increase state excise taxes from $.31/gallon to $1.38/gallon-a whopping 345% increase.

Nebraska’s current excise tax rate of $.31 per gallon is the highest in a 7 state region and is ranked #20 for highest in the nation. For example, Missouri pays just $.06 per gallon, Colorado pays $.08, and Iowa pays $.19.

[buildomaha]

Speaking of Nebraska's puritan nature...

I'm hoping the other side of the coin shows itself loud and mighty here in 2020. Nebraska in the past has shown how truly populist it can be. State Senators Anna Wishart and Adam Morfeld have proposed a ballot initiative to legalize Marijuana in the state via Constitutional Amendment. Not only should Nebraska be exploiting the medicinal benefits of Cannabis, but the industrial hemp production and tax revenue that comes with it would be a huge boon for the state. With the ag economy struggling it only makes sense...

I also think the majority of people underestimate how many people actually use cannabis on a regular basis, purely for medicinal purposes. Even if the state could implement a lenient doctor recommended "Medical Card" system to limit recreational use, it would be a HUGE step for Nebraska. Complete decriminalization is just a given though, and Nebraska has a huge advantage on other states in this aspect but a lot more could be done in the legislature.

In public opinion polling, a large majority of citizens approve of legalization. Is this actually the case? Do many Nebraskans actually approve of Cannabis use? In my observations of seeing people using marijuana all the time and everywhere around Omaha, and open acceptance of typical "Stoner" culture in East Omaha shops and restaurants, yes indeed Nebraskans approve of marijuana usage...

[Trips]

LB 38 would eliminate the second license plate required for vehicles. I paid the $100 for a clear sticker that you can't see or read from 2 feet away. The fine for no front plate is $25. A friend found out that a sensor on his new BMW M5 was messed up by a plate blocking it so he paid the $100. We both agreed that we will just take the fines next year.

LB 51 is the "Tesla" law that will hopefully get passed so they do not build in Council Bluffs.

LB538 makes the Bankshot slot machines and similar games of "skill" illegal.

LB 621 will allow for solar panels on any home regardless of homeowners association and other rules preventing them.

[iamjacobm]

Here we go again... State Senator Tom Briese introduced LB314.

The proposal would increase state excise taxes from $.31/gallon to $1.38/gallon-a whopping 345% increase.

Nebraska’s current excise tax rate of $.31 per gallon is the highest in a 7 state region and is ranked #20 for highest in the nation. For example, Missouri pays just $.06 per gallon, Colorado pays $.08, and Iowa pays $.19.

That bill is loaded with new ways to offset revenue from decreasing property taxes. I saw they are working on some of the amendments to make sure it doesn't hit an industry like the breweries too hard.

EDIT:

Language from the leg:

LEGISLATIVE BILL 314. Introduced by Briese, 41; Friesen, 34.
A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to revenue and taxation; to amend sections
76-901, 76-903, 77-202, 77-382, 77-693, 77-801, 77-1116, 77-1238,
77-1248, 77-1327, 77-2602, 77-2701, 77-2701.02, 77-2701.16, 77-2704.24,
77-2715, 77-2715.07, 77-2715.09, 77-2716, 77-2716.01, 77-2717,
77-2734.01, 77-27,132, 77-4001, 77-4002, 77-4007, 77-4025, 79-1142,
79-1145, 81-3706, and 81-3722, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, and
sections 44-1095, 53-160, 53-187, 79-1005.01, and 79-1144, Revised
Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2018; to adopt the Remote Seller Sales
Tax Collection Act; to remove a property tax exemption for fraternal benefit
192 LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL
societies; to increase taxes on alcohol; to increase the documentary stamp
tax and the cigarette tax; to provide sunset dates for the Personal Property
Tax Relief Act and the New Markets Job Growth Investment Act; to impose
a surtax on certain individuals; to increase the sales tax rate; to impose sales
and use taxes on certain services; to eliminate certain sales and use tax
exemptions; to change provisions relating to the alternative minimum tax,
the earned income tax credit, the tax on certain extraordinary dividends and
capital gains, the tax on certain small business corporation and limited
liability company income, and itemized deductions; to provide an income
tax credit for certain renters; to change the distribution of certain revenue; to
tax vapor products under the Tobacco Products Tax Act; to change
provisions relating to allocated income tax funds and special education; to
create the School Financing Review Commission and provide duties; to
change provisions of the Nebraska Visitors Development Act; to harmonize
provisions; to provide operative dates; to repeal the original sections; to
outright repeal sections 77-2704.65 and 77-2704.67, Reissue Revised
Statutes of Nebraska; and to declare an emergency.

[iamjacobm]

https://www.omaha.com/news/legislature/ ... 9857d.html

A coalition of farmers rolled out its plan to reduce property taxes on farmers on Tuesday, arguing that increasing sales taxes is the best course for solving the state’s most vexing tax problem: high property taxes.

Detractors say the plan, released by a group called Fair Nebraska, is too weighted to benefit farmers. Perhaps as a result, no senator was willing to introduce it in the Nebraska Legislature this year — a year in which addressing high property taxes is a high priority.

The Fair Nebraska plan calls for raising sales taxes by three-quarters of a cent, ending the sales tax exemption on groceries and redirecting the current state property tax credits, among other things, to dramatically increase state support for K-12 schools, which would allow farm and ranch land to be totally exempt from property taxes for local education.

Farmers and ranchers would continue to pay property taxes on their homes and buildings under the plan, which assumes that they would increase spending and investment, boosting sales and income taxes by almost $43 million.

[iamjacobm]

https://www.omaha.com/livewellnebraska/ ... f19c5.html

Backers of legalizing medical cannabis submitted their proposed language Tuesday for a ballot initiative that would allow Nebraska voters to decide whether to join 33 states that already allow medicinal marijuana.

The group, Nebraskans for Sensible Marijuana Laws, submitted its proposed medical marijuana initiative to the Nebraska secretary of state, who must review the language before signature gathering can begin.

If the group collects what’s expected to be upwards of 130,000 signatures, the measure would be placed on the ballot in 2020.

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But organizers with the group say they are hoping to avoid an initiative by passing a bill, now pending in the Legislature, this year.

“My preference remains the legislative process,” said State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln, a co-sponsor of Legislative Bill 110. “My hope is that my colleagues will see the strong support among Nebraska voters for medical marijuana and act upon that support by passing a law this year.”

[Brad]

Neb. senator amends tax relief proposal after pressure from brewers

https://nebraska.tv/news/local/neb-sena ... X83cKkDfN0

State Senator Tom Briese said he'd like to amend his tax relief proposal.

The amendment, announced Wednesday, would remove the per gallon excise tax on beer, wine, and liquor from LB 314. “After much discussion with craft brewers, vineyards, and local distilleries across the state and specifically within District 41, we decided that a tax directly on one of our fastest growing and most attractive businesses is not the answer to property tax relief that we are looking for. LB 314 will still provide substantial property tax relief to all of the hard working citizens of our state and will continue to protect and advance the ability of schools to prepare our young folks for the future.”

[Coyote]

Here's a look back at the bills that passed or stalled during the 2019 session

Senators introduced 739 bills, passing 294 into law during the legislative session that ended Friday. Next year, senators will have a chance to take up leftover bills and consider new one. Here's a recap of the 2019 session:

Bills that passed

State budget bills, introduced on behalf of Gov. Pete Ricketts, passed and were signed with no line-item vetoes. But only one (LB296), which contained salaries for constitutional officers, got through with no negative votes. Twelve senators voted no on the $9.3 billion, two-year mainline budget bill (LB294).

Specialty license plates (LB356 and LB138), introduced by numerous senators, would let motorists show support for military troops, wildlife conservation, prostate cancer and childhood cancer awareness by 2021. Wildlife plates would feature the Sandhill crane, bighorn sheep and ornate box turtle.

Proposed TIF constitutional amendment (LB14CA), introduced by Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne, would authorize the Legislature to extend the tax-increment financing repayment period from 15 years to 20 years in areas where more than one half of properties are deemed "extremely blighted" if voters approve of the measure in 2020.

Prison reform (LB686), introduced by Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop and others, with six measures gathered into one omnibus bill, addresses cellphones in prisons, restrictive housing and intensive probation. The prisons are at about 160 percent of design capacity, with some individual prisons higher. In addition, the Legislature OK'd funding in its budget for 384 more beds for high-risk, maximum-security inmates several years into the future.

Revenge porn crime (LB630), introduced by Morfeld, creates two new offenses of distributing a private image of another person's intimate areas or engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and threatening to distribute such an image with the intent to intimidate, threaten or harass a person. It also protects kids from being convicted of serious felonies that are not warranted.

The Nebraska Hemp Act (LB657), introduced by Wayne, sets up licensing and fee requirements for farmers who wish to grow hemp, outline reporting and enforcement requirements by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and creates a hemp checkoff program, similar to the checkoff programs that aid in marketing commodities produced in the state.

Bills that stalled

Raise the subminimum wage for people who receive tips (LB400), introduced by Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt. The wage is currently $2.13 an hour, the lowest of surrounding states, except for Kansas, which is the same as Nebraska. The Iowa wage is $4.35 an hour; South Dakota, $4.55; Missouri, $4.30; Colorado, $8.08.

Legalize medical cannabis (LB110)
Workplace discrimination ban for LGBTQ employees (LB627)
Death penalty repeal (LB44)
Redistricting reform (LB253 and LB466)
Property tax relief (LB183)
Business tax incentives (LB720)