Nebraska Legislature Convenes, Committee Chairmen Elected

Date: January 11, 2019

Hearings on bills tentatively scheduled for January 22

NFIB State Director Bob Hallstrom reports from Lincoln on the opening of a new session.

The 106th session of the Nebraska Legislature convened on Wednesday, January 9, at 10:00 a.m., with the initial day of the session featuring the election of committee chairmen and chairwomen and appointment of individual members to legislative committees.

Sen. Jim Scheer (Norfolk) was elected to the position of Speaker of the Legislature. The following new committee chairmen and chairwomen were also elected by their colleagues:

  • Agriculture–Sen. Steve Halloran (Hastings)
  • Appropriations–Sen. John Stinner (Gering)
  • Banking, Commerce & Insurance–Sen. Matt Williams (Gothenburg)
  • Business & Labor–Sen. Matt Hansen (Lincoln)
  • Education–Sen. Mike Groene (North Platte)
  • Executive Board–Sen. Mike Hilgers (Lincoln)
  • General Affairs–Sen. Tom Briese (Albion)
  • Government, Military & Veteran Affairs–Sen. Tom Brewer (Gordon)
  • Health & Human Services–Sen. Sara Howard (Omaha)
  • Judiciary–Sen. Steve Lathrop (Omaha)
  • Natural Resources–Sen. Dan Hughes (Venango)
  • Nebraska Retirement Systems–Sen. Mark Kolterman (Seward)
  • Revenue–Sen. Lou Ann Linehan (Elkhorn)
  • Rules–Sen. Sue Crawford (Bellevue)
  • Transportation–Sen. Curt Friesen (Henderson)
  • Urban Affairs–Sen. Justin Wayne (Omaha)

Because most business-related legislation will be referred to the Business and Labor Committee, the appointment of members to this committee was of great interest to NFIB. Along with the election of Sen. Matt Hansen as chairman of the Business and Labor Committee, the following members were appointed to serve on the Business and Labor Committee:

  • Sen. Ernie Chambers (Omaha)
  • Sen. Sue Crawford (Bellevue)
  • Sen. Steve Halloran (Hastings)
  • Sen. Ben Hansen (Blair)
  • Sen. Steve Lathrop (Omaha)
  • Sen. Julie Slama (Peru)

Starting their first General Session are 13 new senators, who were sworn in on the opening day of the session. The newly elected and appointed senators are as follows:

  • Sen. Julie Slama (District 1, Auburn)
  • Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh (District 6, Omaha)
  • Sen. Megan Hunt (District 8, Omaha)
  • Sen. Wendy DeBoer (District 10, Bennington)
  • Sen. Steve Lathrop (District 12, Omaha)
  • Sen. John Arch (District 14, La Vista)
  • Sen. Ben Hansen (District 16, Blair)
  • Sen. Mike Moser (District 22, Columbus)
  • Sen. Myron Dorn (District 30, Adams)
  • Sen. Tom Brandt (District 32, Plymouth)
  • Sen. Dave Murman (District 38, Glenvil)
  • Sen. Tim Gragert (District 40, Creighton)
  • Sen. Andrew La Grone (District 49, Gretna)

The first 10 working days of the session will be devoted to new bill introductions and the adoption of permanent rules. Committee hearings are tentatively scheduled to commence on Tuesday, January 22. It is anticipated that the following major issues will dominate the session:

  • the state budget
  • property and income tax relief
  • prison reform
  • Medicaid expansion.

2019 NFIB Legislative Priorities

NFIB is optimistic that a number of business-friendly measures will receive favorable consideration this session. Among the issues to be promoted by NFIB are:

  • property tax and income tax relief
  • workers’ compensation reform
  • holding the line on state spending.

Small Business Day at the Capitol

NFIB/Nebraska will co-sponsor a Small Business Day at the Capitol April 17 in Lincoln.

NFIB’s co-sponsors are the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln Independent Business Association and Nebraskans For Workers’ Compensation Equity and Fairness.

Small Business Day gives NFIB members an opportunity to network with other small-business owners. Gov. Pete Ricketts is expected to speak, and there will be a legislative briefing by state senators.

Details on the time and location of Small Business Day at the Capitol will be released soon. Check www.NFIB.com/NE for the latest information.

Photo courtesy of the Nebraska Legislature’s Unicameral Update.

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NFIB is optimistic that a number of business-friendly measures will receive favorable consideration this session. Among the issues to be promoted by NFIB are:

  • property tax and income tax relief

  • workers’ compensation reform

  • holding the line on state spending.

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