DeKay reflects on Legislative session

On April 18, the legislature completed its work for this 60-day legislative session. Although the last day is typically reserved for veto overrides and closing remarks, the legislature also took action on 15 bills remaining on Final Reading.

Notably, the governor’s proposed property tax package contained in LB388 stalled when it became clear that 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 documentary 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 for the day 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 Pillen this year. Two of them passed as standalone legislation.

LB1301 adopts the Foreign-owned Real Estate National Security Act and was my personal priority bill for the year. Nebraska is one of the most productive breadbaskets 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 ownership statutes. LB1301 passed unanimously on a 46 to 0 vote.

LB51 repeals obsolete language regarding the use of the state’s telecommunications systems by members of the legislature. This bill passed on a 44 to 0 vote.

LB966 updates the meaning of a steady red arrow indication and provides a definition for a flashing yellow arrow indication in order to comply with federal traffic laws. The bill also allows the Department of Transportation to set a more exact variable fuel excise tax rate by shifting a decimal value. LB966 was amended into LB1200, the Transportation and Telecommunications’ Committee priority bill relating to transportation, and passed on a 47 to 0 vote.

LB1038 revises the membership of the Nebraska Information Technology 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 Commission carries out strategic planning relating to information technology development in the state. LB1038 was amended into LB1031, the Transportation and Telecommunications’ 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 updated in 2009, meaning some public power districts are now needing to wait four to six months to get routine items such as electric transformers which can delay repairs or improvements to quality of service. 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 legislature has adjourned sine die. With the tax package having stalled, Gov. Pillen announced that he will be calling at least one special session later 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 periodically for meetings and office work. If I am not in Lincoln, you are welcome to email me or call my office.

My contact information is Senator Barry DeKay, District #40, P.O. Box 94604, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509. My email address is [email protected] and my office telephone number is 402-471-2801.