Hughes' Views: Bills being discussed
Last Tuesday, Feb. 12, I brought LB227 to the agricultural committee. This bill would extend protections against nuisance laws for some farm operations should they wish to expand their business.
The committee has not made a decision on the bill. The same day, I also presented LB719 to the Transportation and Telecommunications committee. This bill would eliminate duplicative reporting requirements for scrap recyclers and junk and salvage yards. Notably, the bill to change helmet laws, LB 378, introduced by Sen. Ben Hansen, was also heard in committee last Tuesday.
Last Wednesday, LB127 was debated on the floor. This bill expands who can qualify under the landowner designation, to hunt on their own land. I introduced an amendment narrowing the bill to landowners and their spouses, and their children and stepchildren and their spouses. The body advanced the bill to the next stage of debate, Select File, and will be debated again in the coming weeks.
Last Friday was a recess day and Monday we celebrated President’s Day, which means we resumed with a full schedule on Tuesday. LB 302, a bill I introduced at the request of the Governor to merge the State Energy Office with the Department of Environmental Quality and rename it the Department of Environment and Energy, is on the Select File agenda on Tuesday. Hopefully we will get to this bill sometime this week. It just depends on my colleagues and their interest is discussing at length the bills scheduled ahead of LB 302.
This week in the Natural Resources Committee, I will introduce LB368, a bill to eliminate overappropriated river basins, subbasins, and reaches. This will provide an opportunity to educate the committee on why we currently manage water the way we do.
A very significant piece of water legislation, LB 962, passed in 2004, created the Groundwater Management and Protection Act. On Thursday, Feb. 21, we will hear Senator Chamber’s LB46, a bill to eliminate mountain lion hunting, a bill he has introduced every year since the mountain lion hunting season was put into law.
Some bills of interest to be heard in the Revenue Committee this week include a day devoted to income taxes, their rates and deductions, etc. on Wednesday. Then on Thursday, the Revenue Committee will hear LB 530 and LB 483 among others, that change the valuation of agricultural land and horticultural land.
If you would like to speak directly to me about legislative issues, join the Great Plains conference call Tuesday at 7 a.m. MT and McCook Chamber Conference call Thursday at 7 a.m MT.
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. My email address is dhughes@leg.ne.gov and my phone number is (402) 471-2805.
You can read more about bills and other work of the Legislature at www.nebraskalegislature.gov, and you can click on the Live Video Streaming NET logo to watch sessions, hearings, and other Capitol events.