DeKay begins second year in Legislature

Wednesday, Jan. 3 marked the first day of the 108th legislature, Second Session. This session also marks the beginning of the second year that I am serving as the representative of the 40th Legislative District. The 40th District covers the counties of Antelope, Cedar, Dixon, Holt, Knox and Pierce.

Legislative sessions in even-numbered years last for 60 days. During the short session, senators will make any necessary adjustments to the two-year budget that was developed during the 90-day session last year. The Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board met in October and increased previous forecasts for state revenue for the 2023-2024 fiscal year by $7.87 million but decreased the forecast for the 2024-2025 fiscal year by $13.29 million. Additionally, any federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act will need to be obligated by the end of this year or be returned to the treasury. I anticipate the legislature will make corrections to the biennial budget enacted last year to make up for the anticipated revenue shortfall in the 2024-2025 fiscal year or to try to enact additional tax relief, as well as provide oversight on the organizations and programs that received ARPA dollars.

Following brief ceremonial activities, senators got right to work with leadership elections to fill the vacancy left by Sen. Briese, who served as chairperson of the executive board at time of his departure.

The current vice chairperson of the executive board, Sen.Aguilar, was elected chairperson of the executive board in a contested race against Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh. Sen. Lowe was elected vice chairperson of the Executive Board in a contested race against Sen. McKinney. I also had the opportunity to visit with Sen. Fred Meyer who was appointed to replace former senator and now state treasurer Tom Briese.

Legislative bills that were not killed or passed by the legislature last year are automatically carried over to this year’s session. There are approximately 85 carryover bills, excluding A bills, that have been advanced from committee but have not been passed by the legislature. Another 514 bills remain held in committee. The speaker has indicated that any bills prioritized last year will not have that same designation carried over this year, meaning those bills will need to be reprioritized again to be eligible for scheduling. Senators have already begun designating priority bills. Several bills prioritized this year include LB575, the Sports and Spaces Act, LB31 which would mandate two-man crews on trains and LB137, which would enhance penalties when a person who uses a controlled substance, such as fentanyl, dies or sustains serious bodily injury.

The speaker provided a brief outline of the tentative 2024 session schedule. The legislature will first meet as a body all day, beginning Jan. 10, to debate potential changes to the permanent rules with the intent to conclude such debate by Jan. 19. Committee hearings will begin Jan. 22 and continue through the end of February. In the Nebraska Unicameral, every bill is referenced to a committee based on the subject matter and is guaranteed a hearing, allowing the public to testify in support of or opposition to the legislation. The legislature will then meet in the mornings to debate legislation advanced from committee, as well as this year’s priority bills. This year the legislature is scheduled to adjourn on April 18.

My office is at Room 1015 on the first floor of the northwest quadrant of the State Capitol. Phase four of the HVAC Project is now ongoing, meaning the northeast quadrant will be closed for construction through November 2024.

During the legislative session, I will be in Lincoln during the week and drive home to Niobrara on the weekends. If I am not in my office, my staff will be able to assist you. My administrative assistant is Drake Jones and my legislative aide is Turner Adams. Drake will answer the phone and is responsible for my schedule and Turner will work on legislation and constituent issues.

I would also like to inform you of the Legislature’s website at nebraskalegislature.gov which contains a wealth of information. Viewers can read the text of bills introduced, search state statutes, email senators, view the agenda for the day, read the Unicameral Update online and even watch the Unicameral live via video streaming on Nebraska Public Media.

Contact me at any time; I always appreciate hearing from you. Call my Capitol office telephone number at 402-471-2801 or send email to [email protected]. My mailing address is: Senator Barry DeKay, District #40, P.O. Box 94604, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509.