Hughes addresses wildlife license plates

Last week in the Legislature, the Natural Resources Committee and I had another busy schedule. 

We were successful in getting the committee priority bill, LB 758, advanced to Select File. After the full six hours of debate, the bill was advanced by a 47-0 vote. 

I am pleased with the outcome and thankful for my committee’s hard work on this bill. 

In this week’s article, I would like to address LB 1080 and LR 266. Both of these will have hearings next week, so I would like to update everyone on them ahead of time.

LB 1080 is a bill that would allow the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles to design three new license plates to be known as Wildlife Conservation Plates.

These plates would reflect support for the conservation of Nebraska wildlife, including sandhill cranes, bighorn sheep and rainbow trout. 

A bill similar to this was passed in 2016, which created the mountain lion plate that has helped raise approximately $225,000 in funds for the Wildlife Education Fund. 

The commission uses this money to provide youth education programs related to wildlife conservation practices. Game and Parks receives $30 for every message plate and $5 for every alphanumeric plate.

LB 1080 would follow the same guidelines allowing three new beautifully designed wildlife license plates.

LR 266 is a resolution urging the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation and the Nebraska congressional delegation to work together. 

We need to a find a solution that allows the people occupying lots around Hugh Butler Lake, Harry Strunk Lake and Swanson Reservoir to freely transfer their permits and to leave non-permanent structures currently in place on existing lots. 

It also urges the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to consider taking such action as may be helpful to bring about a solution that allows for the transfer of permits and for non-permanent structures to remain on the lots surrounding these lakes. 

Currently, the Bureau of Reclamation is mandating that trailer home owners vacate the lakes no later than April 30, 2020. This would call for a total of 232 cabins and trailers to be removed.

The Natural Resources Committee held a hearing last Thursday afternoon for LB 1054, introduced by Senator Brewer of Gordon. 

LB 1054 would change provisions relating to pre-construction hearings before the Nebraska Power Review Board and for electricity generation using wind as its fuel source.

There were a lot of people who came out to testify in front of the committee, both as proponents and opponents to the legislation. There was plenty of discussion and information given to the committee. 

This bill has been designated as Senator Brewer’s priority bill. 

The committee will take some time to digest the testimony that was given, before making a decision on whether to advance it to the full Legislature for debate or hold it in committee.

Tuesday teleconference

Hughes said he was pleased his colleagues understand the importance of LB 758.

He noted Sen. Ernie Chambers filibustered the bill, forcing debate to the full six hours before being passed with no dissenting votes. 

He expects Chambers to take up the full three hours of debate when the bill comes up on Select File. 

Wednesday, Hughes’ Natural Resource Committee will hold a hearing on Sen. Mike Groene’s LB 1123. The bill would allow natural resources districts (NRDs) to sell off the land in augmentation projects while keeping the water rights. 

Hughes said Groene has done a good job of building support for the bill.

However, Hughes said the sale of the land would create an air of uncertainty, because no one knows how a judgewould rule if the issue winds up in the courts. 

In addition, the collateral for the bondholders financing the project includes both the land and the water. In addition, the NRDs have authority to levy a per-acre fee tax to pay for the project. 

Giving up their collateral is something bond holders aren’t likely to do, Hughes added. 

Another bill set for hearing this week, LB 1009, would allow speed limits to increase five mph on state highways and the interstate. 

Hughes noted that individuals who want to submit written testimony on a bill must have their testimony into the committee one day before the hearing to be included in the record. 

I always enjoy hearing from the Nebraskans I represent. Please feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns that you might have.

Read more about bills and other work of the Legislature at www.nebraskalegislature.gov. Click on the Live Video Streaming NET logo to watch sessions, hearings, and other Capitol events.