LINCOLN–The 2022 legislative session resumed Jan. 10 with more proposals from senators. It is a 60-day session and the second session of the 107th legislature. 

New bills can be introduced through the first 10 days of the session, or until Jan. 20. Here are some of the major debates discussed and bills introduced from Jan. 10 to Jan. 14:

Human Life Protection Act, LB933

Thurston Sen. Joni Albrecht proposed a bill that would prohibit abortions if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.

Closed captioning and political transcripts, LB928

Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue introduced a bill that would require closed captioning for political ads on TV and a transcript to be included on candidate’s websites. She said the bill would help the deaf and the aging population.

Remove certain basic skill and content test requirements for eligibility for teaching certificates LB960

Omaha Sen. Tony Vargas proposed a bill that would remove certain basic skill and content test requirements needed to be eligible for teaching certificates.

Lake Development Act and Water Recreation Enhancement Act, LB1023

Speaker of the Legislature Sen. Mike Hilgers of Lincoln introduced a bill that would authorize a new lake between Lincoln and Omaha. The lake would be at least 3,600-acres and would be built without damming the Platte River. The bill would also authorize enhancements to other existing water recreation sites in Nebraska. Hilgers said the bill would help manage Nebraska’s water supply and increase tourism.  

Emergency protective custody, LB909

Omaha Sen. Mike McDonnell introduced a bill that would grant mental health professionals the authority to take persons into emergency protective custody and provide for a training and certification process.

Provide parole eligibility for people serving life sentences, LB980

Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney introduced a bill that would provide for release for medical treatment, change provisions relating to medical parole and provide for parole eligibility for persons serving sentences of life imprisonment.

Change the date of Arbor Day, LB965

National Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday of April, but some states celebrate it on different days based on the best tree planting time in the area. Lincoln Sen. Eliot Bostar proposed a bill that would change the day Nebraska celebrates Arbor Day. Arbor Day in Nebraska is currently celebrated on the last Friday in April every year. Bostar’s bill would change it to be celebrated on the last Friday in April in each odd-numbered year and the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November in each even-numbered year. This coincides with election day, making election day a state holiday on even-numbered years.

Inheritance tax, LB310

Last year, Elmwood Sen. Rob Clements introduced a bill that would reduce the inheritance tax. According to Nebraska Public Media, the state collects about $70 million a year in inheritance tax, and that money goes to the state’s counties. In floor action on Jan. 11, senators gave first-round approval to the bill, after adopting an amendment, AM635. For close relatives, the amendment would raise the amount of inheritance tax that is exempt from taxation from $40,000 to $100,000 and exempt individuals under 22 from taxation. The tax rate would remain at 1%. For relatives like nieces and nephews, the exempt amount would be raised from $15,000 to $40,000 and the tax rate would go from 13% to 11%. For others, the exempt amount would rise from $10,000 to $25,000 and the tax rate would be reduced from 18% to 15%.  

Scholarships for students to attend private schools, LB364

Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn introduced a bill in 2021 to create scholarships, funded by tax-credits, for students to attend private schools. She said she wants the scholarship to be limited to those who qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches. People who donate to the scholarship fund would have their income taxes decreased dollar-for-dollar of their contributions, up to 50 percent of what they owe in income taxes. After eight hours of debate, Linehan filed a motion for cloture, which would end debate and force a vote on the bill and any pending amendment. The motion failed in a 28-14 vote. According to the Unicameral Update, the bill is unlikely to be put on the agenda again this session.

Federal fund requests

Nebraska is expected to receive $1 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act, and senators have a host of different ideas regarding how some of this money should be spent. These ideas include LB968 from Adams Sen. Myron Dorn, which would appropriate federal funds to the Department of Economic Development to go toward affordable housing and job training. Additionally, LB970 from Hastings Sen. Steve Halloran would appropriate federal funds to the Department of Agriculture for catastrophic livestock mortality and disposal events. Sen. John Stinner from Gering introduced LB989, which would appropriate federal funds toward the rates nursing homes receive for Medicaid patients. Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney introduced the North Omaha Recovery Plan, LB1024, which would allocate federal funds toward the health, small businesses, education and housing in north Omaha,  and Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt proposed LB1027 that would provide grants to schools who stop using American Indian mascots.

Click here for a full list of the bills that have been introduced. 

Click here for live coverage of the legislative session. 

Source: Unicameral Update