.jpg)
Dist. 40 R eport
Dist. 40 Report
The Legislature is moving faster going into February.
Senators are starting to debate bills that have advanced out of the different standing committees.
So far, I have had two bills that were debated at least once: LB43 and LB91. I also have three bills that are set to be reported out of committee for full debate: LB7, LB247, and LB396.
Right now, the committees are primarily focused on advancing bills that most senators can agree on, so these five bills currently have a good chance of becoming law.
Of course, things can always change, and even one thing can slow everything down. For example, the Legislature spent two whole morning sessions debating LB229, a bill that would define people who work for companies like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash as independent contractors. LB229 was ultimately advanced to Select File on a 33 to 12 vote. Meanwhile, the committees continued to hold public hearings. The Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee discussed LB89, the Stand with Women Act. This bill, introduced by Senator Kauth, states legislative intent that males and females are biologically and physically different from one another and that those biological differences impact athletic performance. LB89 would establish rules and guidelines for sports and the use of bathrooms and locker rooms in schools and state buildings. At the hearing, testifiers echoed many of the same things about this bill said two years about LB575, the Let Them Grow Act.
The General Affairs Committee, which I am on, heard multiple bills pertaining to alcohol.
One bill, LB178 by Senator Clouse, would require the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission to mandate a training course for anyone who sells, serves, or mixes alcohol or provides security for alcohol- serving establishments.
The purpose of this bill is to address problems with some businesses across the state that are not serving alcohol responsibly. However, I think we might need to amend the bill a bit so that it does not cause problems for small businesses or town events led by volunteers.
The Health and Human Services Committee discussed LB374 by Senator Hansen. LB374 would establish a Board of Licensed Midwives and create a pathway to license certified professional midwives. Right now, there are 37 other states that license certified professional midwives.
This bill would give mothers and families more choice when having a baby, such as having a home birth. However, some doctors and medical groups said at the hearing that the prescribed training in the bill is not enough and could be dangerous to the health and wellbeing of the mother or child if problems arise with the pregnancy.
Despite the opposition at the hearing, I think a compromise exists where this bill can be made workable for everyone. I also want to take some time to thank the many people, both supporters and opponents, who wrote to me or submitted written comments about this bill.
As bills are heard and debated, I would appreciate your input. 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.
