Letters & Testimony to Committees & Officials,
107th Legislature, 1st Session
LETTERS & TESTIMONY
FIRST SESSION OF THE 107TH LEGISLATURE
These letters were written to be introduced into the record at various committee hearings. Some letters were read at the committee hearings, others were submitted electronically before or after hearings as position statements. Letters are listed by the date submitted to the committee. Testimony is noted. There may not be a text from the testimony available.
Note: Status of the bills at Sine Die are now posted below the letter links. Bills that remain in committees or on General File may be considered in the second session of the 107th Legislature in 2022.
The letters for theses bills numbers were submitted to the following committees:
Appropriations: LB 383, Agency 84
Banking, Commerce & Insurance: LB 20, LB 337, LB 487
Business & Labor: LB 290, LB 451
Executive: LB 107, LR 18 CA, LR 29, LR 107 (testimony)
Government, Military & Veterans Affairs: LB 8, LB 11, LB 14, LB 83, LB 112, LB 125, LB 158, LB 195, LB 362, LB 435, LB 477, LB 482, LB 590, LR 3 CA
Health & Human Services: LB 68, LB 108, LB 413, LB 554, LB 677
Judiciary Committee: LB 7, LB 13, LB 45, LB 51, LB 116, LB 186, LB 205, LB 230, LB 249, LB 300, LB 307, LB 308, LB 334, LB 335, LB 358, LB 404, LB 444, LB 517, LB 525, LB 601, LB 624. LB 663
Natural Resources: LB 266, LB 483, Letter to Committee on Mead, NE
Revenue: LB 26, LB 364, LR 22CA
Redistricting Committee: LR 134 (testimony)
Rules Committee: Letter to postpone hearing, Letters to oppose rules changes #2, #4 & #6
Transportation & Telecommunications: Consolidated letter for LB 338, LB 388, LB 398, LB 455, LB 456, LB 460, LB 498, LB 600, LB 604, LB656
LR 107
Letter sent on May 2, 2021, to the Executive Committee opposing LR 107: Request cooperation relating to prevention of unconstitutional abuse of power by state and federal governments.
Remains in Exec Committee
LR 22CA
Letter sent on April 22, 2021, to the Revenue Committee opposing LR 22CA: Constitutional amendment to limit the total amount of property tax revenue that may be raised by political subdivisions.
Remains in Revenue Committee
LB 13
Letter sent on March 5, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee to support LB 13: Prohibit possession of a deadly weapon by the subject of a foreign protection order.
Remains on General File
LB 404
Letter sent on March 6, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee to oppose LB 404: Change permit and renewal time periods under Concealed Handgun Permit Act.
Remains in Judiciary Committee
LB 290
Letter sent on March 2, 2021, to the Business & Labor Committee to support LB 290: Adopt the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act.
Remains on General File
LB 116
Letter sent on March 4, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee to support LB 116: Change provisions relating to handgun transfer certificates and require suicide prevention training and informational materials.
Remains in Judiciary Committee
LB 8
Letter sent on Feb. 25, 2021, to the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee to support LB 8: Change independent expenditure reporting requirements and require electioneering reporting.
Remains in Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee
LB 20
Letter sent on Feb. 27, 2021, to the Banking, Commerce & Insurance Committee to support LB 20: Provide for insurance coverage of and Medicaid access to prescribed contraceptives with the intent of closing health inequities in rural Nebraska, those reliant on public transportation and women who must travel for work
Read letter sent by Phyllis Salyards, M.D., Health Director and Sherry Miller, VP for Action
Remains on General File
Agency 84
Letter sent on Feb. 24, 2021, to the Appropriations Committee to urge the committee to use Agency 84, the standard budget review process for the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, to question NDEE’s action steps in regard to AltEn ethanol in Mead, NE.
LB 26
Letter sent on Feb. 24, 2021, to the Revenue Committee to support LB 26: Provide a sales tax exemption for residential water service.
Signed into law
LB 120
Letter sent on Feb. 23, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee to support LB 120: Prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity.
Remains in Judiciary Committee
LB 186
Letter sent on Feb. 24, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee to support LB 186: Change provisions relating to the offense of criminal child enticement.
Remains in Judiciary Committee
LB 383
Letter sent on Feb. 18, 2021, to the Appropriations Committee to oppose LB 383: Appropriation of funds for capital construction.
Bill signed however, while $100 million was set aside in a legislative fund, no appropriation for the prison was adopted. The Nebraska Legislature allocated $15 million to prison overcrowding solutions.
LB 158
Letter sent on Feb. 23, 2021, to the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee to support LB 158: Provide for restoration of voting rights upon completion of a felony sentence or probation for a felony.
Remains in Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee
LB 517
Letter sent on Feb. 17, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee to support LB 517: Provide for a gender-neutral designation on operator’s licenses and state identification cards and provide for amendment of a birth certificate.
Remains in the Judiciary Committee
LB 125
Letter sent on Feb. 18, 2021, to the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee to support LB 125: Provide for rank choice voting for certain elections.
Remains in Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee
LB 7
Letter sent on Feb. 16, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee to support LB 7: Provide immunity for witnesses and victims of violent crimes.
Remains in Judiciary Committee
LB 230
Letter sent on Feb. 16, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee to support LB 230: Prohibit discrimination in public accommodations and under the Nebraska Fair Housing Act on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Remains in Judiciary Committee
LR 18CA
Letter sent on Feb. 16, 2021, to the Executive Committee to support LR 18CA: Constitutional amendment to change legislative term limits to three consecutive terms.
Executive committee priority resolution
LB 554
Letter sent on Feb. 16, 2021, to the Health and Human Services Committee to support LR 554: Adopt the Licensed Professional Counselors Interstate Compact.
Remains in HHS Committee
LB 108
Letter sent on Feb. 15, 2021, to the Health and Human Services Committee to support LB 108:Change provisions relating to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Became law without Governor’s signature
LB 68
Letter sent on Feb. 15, 2021, to the Health and Human Services Committee to support LB 68: Change provisions relating to reimbursement for services provided by the federal Child Care Subsidy Program.
Remains in HHS Committee
LB 677
Letter sent on Feb. 15, 2021, to the Health and Human Services Committee to support LB 677: Change provisions relating to eligibility for transitional child care assistance.
Remains in HHS Committee
LB 590
Letter sent on Feb. 12, 2021, to the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee to oppose LB 590: Change time periods for ballots for early voting.
Remains in Government, Military & Veteran’s Affairs Committee
LB 477
Letter sent on Feb. 15, 2021, to the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee to support LB 477: Require the Secretary of State to provide an advisory opinion on the object statement and text of a proposed initiative or referendum measure.
Remains in Government, Military & Veteran’s Affairs Committee
LR 3CA
Letter sent on Feb. 11, 2021, to the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee to oppose LR 3CA: Constitutional amendment to require verification of identity prior to voting.
Remains in Government, Military & Veteran’s Affairs Committee
LB 107
Letter sent on Feb. 12, 2021, to the Executive Committee to support LB 107: Adopt the Redistricting Act.
Remains in Government, Military & Veteran’s Affairs Committee
LB 334
Letter sent on Feb. 10, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee to support LR 334: Adopt the Community Work Release Treatment Centers Act.
Remains in Judiciary Committee
LB 335
Letter sent on Feb. 10, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee to support LB 335: Require announcement of the average cost of incarceration at sentencing for sentences served at the Department of Correctional Services.
Remains in Judiciary Committee
LB 525
Letter sent on Feb. 10, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee to support LR 525: Provide duties and requirements for transitional housing facilities and change powers of the Office of Inspector General of the Nebraska Correctional System.
Remains on General File
LB 444
Letter sent on Feb. 10, 2021, to the Judicial Committee to support LB 444: Change provisions relating to credit against jail terms.
Remains on General File
LB 266
Letter sent on Feb. 10, 2021, to the Natural Resources Committee to support LR 266: Adopt the Renewable Energy Standards Act.
Remains in Natural Resources Committee
LB 483
Letter sent on Feb. 10, 2021, to the Natural Resources Committee to support LB 483: Provide for a climate change study and action.
Remains in Natural Resources Committee
LR 29
Letter sent on Feb 9, 2021, to the Executive Committee to support LR 29: Provide for appointment by the Executive Board of a special committee known as the Eastern Service Area Child Welfare Contract Special Investigative and Oversight Committee of the Legislature.
Adopted
LB 624
Letter sent on Feb. 9, 2021, to the Judicial Committee to support LB 624: Provide for earned time credit reductions to the minimum terms of sentences of offenders at facilities of the Department of Correctional Services.
Remains in the Judiciary Committee
LB 482
Letter sent on Feb 8, 2021, to the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee to support LB 482: Change provisions relating to use public resources by public officials and public employees.
Remains in the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee
LB 451
Letter sent on Feb 9, 2021, to the Business and Labor Committee to support LB 451: Include characteristics associated with race, culture, and personhood within definition of race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles under the Nebraska Fair Employment Practice Act.
Signed into law
LR 14
Letter sent on Feb 8, 2021, to the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee to oppose LR 14: Resolution to Congress for a convention of the states to propose amendments to the United States Constitution.
Remains on General File
LB 195
Letter sent on Feb 8, 2021, to the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee to oppose LB 195: Adopt the Faithful Delegate to Federal Article Convention Act.
Remains in the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee
LB 338, LB 388, LB 398, LB 455, LB 456, LB 460, LB 498, LB 600, LB 604 & LB 656
Letter sent on Feb. 4, 2021, to the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee to support the broadband bills listed above.
Read letter sent by Rachel M. Gibson, Social Policy Committee; Carol Dennison, Director of Social Policy; and Co-Presidents Linda Duckworth and Dianne Bystrom
Portions LB 398 amended into LB 338 which was signed into law
Provisions/portions of LB604 & LB456 amended into LB388 by AM530
LB 455, LB 460, LB 600 remain in Transportation & Telecommunication Committee
LB 498 remains on General File
LB 413
Letter sent on Feb. 3, 2021, to the Health and Human Services Committee to support LB 413: Require coverage of medications for substance use disorder treatment and addiction medicine services under the Medical Assistance Act.
Remains in HHS Committee
LB 601
Letter sent on Feb. 2, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee to support LB 601: Require law enforcement agencies to maintain records regarding officer discipline and create a public database of law enforcement officer misconduct.
Provisions/portions of LB601 amended into LB51 by AM745
LB 51
Letter sent on Feb. 2, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee to support LB 51: Change and provide qualifications for and duties relating to certification of law enforcement officers, require accreditation of law enforcement agencies, prohibit chokeholds in law enforcement and require policies on excessive force.
Provisions/portions of LB601 amended into LB51 by AM745. LB51 signed into law
LB 435
Letter sent on Feb. 1, 2021, to the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee with a neutral position on LB 435: Require an official watermark on certain ballots under the Election Act.
Remains in the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee
LB 362
Letter sent on Feb. 1, 2021, to the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee to support LB 362: Change provisions for ballots for early voting under the Election Act.
Remains in the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee
LB 487
Letter sent on Feb. 1, 2021, to the Banking, Commerce & Insurance Committee to support LB 487: Change insurance coverage provisions for mental health conditions and serious mental illness.
Signed into law
LB 337
Letter sent on Feb. 1, 2021, to the Banking, Commerce & Insurance Committee to support LB 337: Adopt the Step-Therapy Reform Act.
Signed into law
Letter to Natural Resources coMmittee on mead, NE
Letter sent on Feb. 1, 2021, to the Natural Resources Committee calling for leadership to address the water quality in Mead, NE, due to pollution from the ethanol plant.
LB 507 – Prohibit the use of treated seed corn signed into law
LR 159 – Request the Executive Board to appoint an AltEn LLC, Ethanol Plant Special Investigative and Oversight Committee referred to Executive Committee
LB 663
Letter sent on February 1, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee opposing LB 663: Require the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice to create a mental health indicator in a criminal justice information system to alert emergency dispatch operators.
Remains in the Judiciary Committee
LB 308
Letter sent on Jan. 28, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee to monitor (and submit questions) regarding LB 308, which would create the Juvenile Indigent Defense Fund.
Remains in the Judiciary Committee
LB 11
Letter sent on Jan. 29, 2021, to the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee supporting LB 11: Change provisions regarding voting procedures and requests for ballots for early voting.
Remains in the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee
LB 300
Letter sent on Jan. 28, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee opposing LB 300: Change provisions relating to justification for the use of force.
Remains in the Judiciary Committee
LB 364
Letter sent on Jan. 27, 2021, to the Revenue Committee opposing LB 364: Proposed adoption of the Opportunity Scholarships Act and provide tax credits.
Read letter sent by Co-Presidents Linda Duckworth and Dianne Bystrom
Failed Cloture
LB 83
Letter sent on Jan. 25, 2021, to the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee to support LB 83: Proposed change to the Open Meetings Act to provide for virtual conferencing, including the public’s right to participate by virtual conferencing.
Read letter sent by Sheri St. Clair, Government Director.
Signed into law
LB 112
Letter sent on Jan. 25, 2021, to the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee to support LB 112: Public bodies shall allow members of the public an opportunity to speak at each public meeting subject to the Open Meetings Act.
Read letter sent by Sheri St. Clair, Government Director.
Remains in the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee
LB 205
Letter sent on Jan. 24, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee to support LB 205: Proposed changes to provisions relating to unpaid periodic rent under the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
Read letter sent by Carol Dennison, Social Policy Director.
Remains in the Judiciary Committee
LB 358
Letter sent on Jan. 24, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee to support LB 358: Proposed changes to provisions relating to retaliatory conduct by a landlord under the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
Read letter sent by Carol Dennison, Social Policy Director.
Remains in the Judiciary Committee
LB 45
Letter sent on Jan. 24, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee to support LB 45: Proposed repeal of the Anti-Continuance statute.
Read letter sent by Carol Dennison, Social Policy Director.
Remains in the Judiciary Committee
LB 249
Letter sent on Jan. 23, 2021, to the Judiciary Committee to support LB 249: Proposed prohibition of employers from inquiring about wage rate history under the Nebraska Fair Employment Practice Act.
Read letter sent by Carol Dennison, Social Policy Director.
Remains in Business & Labor Committee
Rules Committee Hearing Letter
Letter sent on Jan. 10, 2021, to the Rules Committee requesting a postponement of its hearing on rules changes and instituting the same seven day notice of hearing used for bills.
Read letter sent by Sherry Miller, Vice President of Action.
Did not postpone hearing
Rules Committee Letter opposing RuleS Changes #2 & #6
Letter sent on Jan. 12, 2021, to the Rules Committee opposing proposal #2 to replace the secret ballot with roll call votes and proposal #6 to close executive sessions to the news media.
Read letter sent by Sheri St. Clair, Government Director.
Rules #2 & #6 did not change
Rules Committee Letter supporting Rules Change #4
Letter sent to the Rules Committee supporting proposed rules change #4 to add racial impact statements to legislative bills.
Read letter sent by Carol Dennison, Social Policy Director.
Rule #4 was not adopted