| 
|
| Find NACO on Facebook |
|
|
 Bill Introductions Continue
|
The introduction of new bills was the primary focus of the second week of the 2017 legislative session. By the end of Friday, the 8th day of the session, 430 bills and one constitutional amendment had been introduced. Bill introductions will conclude on January 17 and 18. The body will be in recess on January 16 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Public committee
hearings on each of the
introduced bills will begin on January 17.
On Wednesday afternoon the Rules Committee held a hearing on 27 proposed changes to the rules of the Legislature. Proposals ranged from redistricting to open elections for leadership roles to the number of votes needed to invoke cloture. Floor debate on the proposals advanced by the committee is expected early next week.
On Thursday, Governor Pete Ricketts gave his
State of the State address. He outlined his plans to address the budget shortfall and a proposal for an income based property tax system for ag land. This Agricultural Valuation Fairness Act,
LB338, would take effect in 2019. He urged senators to take up his budget proposal by the first week in February. His
preliminary budget proposal is set out in
LB22, which will be heard by the Appropriations Committee on January 17. The full budget is in
LB327.
Chief Justice Mike Heavican will present a State of the Judiciary address on January 19.
Friday morning was spent debating whether to re-refer LB68 from the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee to the Judiciary Committee. LB68 would prohibit cities and counties from enacting gun control ordinances that are stricter than state law. The motion failed. LB68 has been set for public hearing on February 10.
Senator Chambers filed a similar motion on LB59, which would require the Department of Health and Human Services and health care facilities to provide information about abortion. It was originally referred to the Health and Human Services Committee and is set for public hearing on February 2.
Senator Chambers also filed motions to re-refer LB271 and LB276 to the Judiciary Committee that appear for debate on Tuesday's agenda.
|
NACO's Legislative Committee Meeting Set for January 27
|
NACO's Legislative Committee will meet on Friday, January 27 to review and take positions on 2017 legislation. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the NACO office at 1335 H Street in Lincoln.
After brief introductory remarks, affiliate groups will meet for discussion of bills pertinent to their membership. After the groups have met, the NACO Legislative Committee will reconvene as a whole to review and take positions on the entire list of bills. All county officials are encouraged to attend or discuss areas of concern with their NACO Board representative prior to the meeting.The NACO Board makes up the NACO Legislative Committee.
Because lunch will be provided, please notify the NACO office at (402)434-5660 or [email protected] if you plan to attend. Because the Legislature is in session, parking around the Capitol may be limited. Public parking is not available behind the NACO office or in the MIPS lot. A parking garage is available at The Cornhusker, A Marriott Hotel at 12th and L Streets.
|
Electronic Signature Hearing Set
|
Registers of Deeds would be required to accept filings with a digital or electronic signatures pursuant to a bill that will be heard by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee on January 20. LB38 would add the new language to section 23-1503.01, which sets out formatting requirements for recorded documents. The hearing will be held in Room 1507 of the State Capitol at 1:30 p.m.
Senators Joni Craighead and John Lowe have introduced proposals to terminate the 2018 sunset date on filing fees designated for records preservation and modernization. The bills are LB152 and LB369, respectively. Neither has been scheduled for hearing.
|
Revenue Committee to Hear Homestead, Tax Sale Bills
|
On Thursday, January 19, the Revenue Committee will take testimony on two bills to change certification requirements for homestead exemptions. LB12 and LB20 would exempt certain veterans from recertifying that they are eligible for the exemption.
The committee will also hear LB51, a bill to allow tax sales investors to bid down the interest rate that they are willing to accept.
The hearings will begin at 1:30 in Room 1524 of the State Capitol.
|
Snapshots of County Issues
|
A number of bills introduced this week could have an impact on counties. Some of these include:
Property Tax
- LB144 (Friesen) Change agricultural and horticultural adjusted valuations for calculating state aid to schools
- LB217 (Harr) Change provisions relating to the accrual of interest on denied and reduced homestead exemptions
- LB228 (Harr) Change provisions relating to rent-restricted housing projects
- LB232 (Kolterman) Provide a property tax exemption for property leased to the state or a governmental subdivision
- LB233 (Smith) Change revenue and taxation provisions
- LB236 (Erdman) Change provisions relating to the inclusion of multiple lots in one parcel
- LB238 (Erdman ) Change provisions of the Nebraska Budget Act relating to certifying taxable values
- LB251 (Harr) Redefine agricultural or horticultural purposes for revenue and taxation purposes
- LB266 (Friesen) Change the valuation of agricultural land and horticultural land
- LB288 (Harr) Change provisions relating to service of notice when applying for a tax deed and the laws governing tax sale certificates
- LB322 (Craighead) Change the Tax Equalization and Review Commission Act
- LB338 (Brasch) Adopt the Agricultural Valuation Fairness Act
- LB359 (Kolterman) Authorize damages for property taxes and special assessments paid on property lost through adverse possession
- LB373 (Schmacher) Change and eliminate revenue and taxation provisions
- LB385 (Lindstrom) Change provisions relating to the burden of proof and who may appeal under the Tax Equalization and Review Commission Act
Elections
- LB139 (Crawford) Authorize change to nonpartisan election of county officers
- LB163 (Vargas) Require additional polling places prior to elections in certain counties
- LB183 (Hughes) Authorize change of nomination and election provisions for county officers
- LB197 (Kolowski) Provide for electronic application for an early voting ballot
- LB277 (Wayne) Change population requirements for election precincts
- LB290 (Vargas) Provide for voter registration upon application for driver's license, state identification card, or certain benefits
- LB314 (Murante) Change state and municipal election provisions to conform to prior legislation
- LB316 (Murante) Change election provisions relating to technology and funding
- LB422 (Murante) Change provisions of the Election Act
Motor Vehicles
- LB143 (Friesen) Provide a duty to carry exception for public power district motor vehicle or trailer registration certificates
- LB263 (Transportation and Telecommunications Committee) Change provisions relating to vehicle certificates of title, registration, and license plates and provide for implementation of an electronic dealer services system by the Department of Motor Vehicles
- LB355 (Bolz) Provide for Native American Cultural Awareness and History Plates
- LB357 (Bolz) Increase original certificate of title fees for vehicles transferred to Nebraska from another state and provide for voluntary contributions to brain injury programs
- LB355 (Bolz) Provide for Native American Cultural Awareness and History Plates
- LB357 (Bolz) Increase original certificate of title fees for vehicles transferred to Nebraska from another state and provide for voluntary contributions to brain injury programs
- LB400 (Hilkemann) Change provisions relating to motor vehicle fees and taxes
- LB419 (McCollister) Change provisions relating to Military Honor Plates
Recordings
- LB152 (Craighead) Change and eliminate provisions relating to the fees for recording and filing certain documents
- LB369 (Lowe) Change provisions relating to fees charged by the register of deeds
- LB388 (Lindstrom) Authorize remote electronic notarial acts
Criminal Justice/Courts
- LB158 (Pansing Brooks) Change provisions relating to appointment of counsel for juveniles
- LB180 (Bolz) Provide for bridge orders transferring juvenile court jurisdiction of a juvenile to a district court
- LB192 (Pansing Brooks) Change and modernize provisions relating to the qualifying and summoning of jurors
- LB193 (Pansing Brooks) Change provisions relating to courts
- LB199 (McCollister) Eliminate certain state aid to counties for law enforcement and jail operations
- LB275 (Hughes) Provide duties for law enforcement officers and rights and duties for private property owners regarding abandoned vehicles
- LB367 (Krist) Change provisions relating to payment of costs in juvenile matters
- LB370 (Lowe) Eliminate requirement to obtain certificate or complete background check to receive or transfer a handgun
Roads
- LB200 (Lowe) Provide that the county surveyor shall perform the duties of county highway superintendent in certain counties as prescribed
- LB310 (Friesen) Change provisions relating to bridge carrying capacities and weight limits
- LB382 (Erdman) Change provisions relating to budget limitations
Miscellaneous
- LB141 (Williams) Adopt the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act
- LB156 (Friesen) Eliminate a termination date under the 911 Service System Act
- LB237 (Erdman) Change filing requirements of official bonds for school districts
- LB253 (Crawford) Authorize intergovernmental service agreements under the County Industrial Sewer Construction Act and provide for a special tax levy
- LB365 (Blood) Change provisions relating to access to public records and provide for fees
- LB389 (Friesen) Adopt the Small Wireless Facilities Act
- LB392 (Larson) Adopt the Wind Friendly Counties Act
- LB423 (Murante) Change provisions relating to counties
|
Selected Committee Hearing Schedules
|
Every bill introduced by the Legislature is the subject of a public hearing. Following is a schedule of bills that are of interest to counties.Note that bills not appearing on this list may be heard during the same hearing. A complete
list of hearings is available on the Legislature's website. For tips about testifying at a hearing, click
here.
- Holiday
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Appropriations Committee
Room 1524, 10:00 a.m.
- LB22 (Speaker Scheer) Provide, change, and eliminate provisions relating to appropriations and reduce appropriations
- LB23 (Speaker Scheer) Provide for transfers of funds and terminate funds
- LB24 (Speaker Scheer) Change provisions relating to the Cash Reserve Fund
- Note: LB22 is scheduled at this time for official record purposes. Testimony on the overall budget proposal is appropriate, however testimony on specific appropriations issues should be presented at the date scheduled for the relevant agency. Fund transfers contained in LB22 will be addressed at this time. State agency hearings are scheduled throughout the week.See the hearing schedule for dates and times.The Governor's budget recommendations can be found here.
Transportation and Telecommunications Committee
Room 1113, 1:30 p.m.
- LB45 (Watermeier) Change provisions relating to Military Honor Plates
- LB46 (Watermeier) Provide for Choose Life License Plates
Urban Affairs Committee
Room 1510, 1:30 p.m.
- LB113 (Hansen) Change population threshold provisions relating to municipalities and eliminate obsolete provisions
- LB74 (Crawford) Change population thresholds relating to annexation, suburban development, and planned unit development by a city or village
- LB133 (Urban Affairs Committee) Change and eliminate provisions regarding cities of the second class and villages
- LB132 (Urban Affairs Committee) Change provisions relating to improvement districts and extraterritorial zoning jurisdictions
- LB131 (Urban Affairs Committee) Change provisions relating to urban growth districts and urban growth bonds and refunding bonds
Wednesday, January 18
Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee
Room 1507, 1:30 p.m.
- LB80 (Blood) Provide for unclassified service under the County Civil Service Act
- LB85 (Blood) Provide a requirement for persons seeking appointive or elective office as prescribed and to provide a duty for the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission
Judiciary Committee
Room 1113, 1:30 p.m.
- LB7 (Krist) Provide for suspension of medical assistance under the medical assistance program for detainees in public institutions
- LB8 (Krist) Provide for graduated response sanctions and incentives relating to juvenile probation
- LB10 (Krist) Increase number of judges of the separate juvenile court as prescribed
- LB11 (Krist) Change provisions relating to transfer of juvenile cases
Revenue Committee
Room 1524, 1:30 p.m.
- LB52 (Schumacher) Adopt the Modern Tax Act
Thursday, January 19
Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee
Room 1507, 1:30 p.m.
- LB90 (Hughes) Require public entity to provide accommodations where Auditor of Public Accounts employee conducts audit or examination
- LB151 (Stinner) Change and provide for duties of the Auditor of Public Accounts and certain audited entities
- LB27 (Murante) Change requirements for state agency contracts and powers and duties of the Auditor of Public Accounts as prescribed
- LB89 (Hughes) Change published notice of hearing requirements under the Nebraska Budget Act as prescribed
Judiciary Committee
Room 1113, 1:30 p.m.
- LB26 (Murante) Change service requirements for harassment protection orders
- LB47 (Watermeier) Change provisions relating to the payment of fees and costs associated with grand juries and the deaths of incarcerated persons
- LB57 (Morfeld) Adopt the Uniform Unsworn Foreign Declarations Act
- LB93 (Hansen) Adopt the Automatic License Plate Reader Privacy Act
- LB102 (Hilkemann) Change a penalty relating to tampering with witnesses or informants
- LB89 (Hughes) Change published notice of hearing requirements under the Nebraska Budget Act as prescribed
Revenue Committee
Room 1524, 1:30 p.m.
- LB12 (Krist) Change homestead exemption requirements relating to income statements and certifications of status
- LB20 (Kolterman) Change provisions relating to homestead exemption certifications
- LB51 (Schumacher) Change provisions relating to sales of real property for nonpayment of taxes
Friday, January 20
Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee
Room 1507, 1:30 p.m.
- LB38 (Harr) Authorize electronic or digital signatures for instruments submitted to register of deeds
Judiciary Committee
Room 1113, 1:30 p.m.
- LB37 (Harr) Adopt the Uniform Wage Garnishment Act
- LB136 (Ebke) Change provisions relating to garnishment proceedings
- LB229 (Williams) Change provisions relating to garnishment
- LB105 (Brasch) Change provisions relating to personal property exemptions in cases of forced sale on execution or attachment
Monday, January 23, 2017
Business and Labor Committee
Room 2102
- LB212 (Hansen) Adopt the In the Line of Duty Compensation Act
Transportation and Telecommunications Committee
Room 1113, 1:30 p.m.
- LB86 (Blood) Eliminate a requirement regarding opening bridge bids
- LB271 (Hilgers) Authorize the Department of Roads to assume certain responsibilities under federal environmental laws and provide for limited waiver of the state's sovereign immunity
- LB114 (Craighead) Change provisions relating to motor vehicle lighting requirements
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee
Room 1525, 12:00 p.m.
- LB32 (Kolterman) Eliminate a duty of the Public Employees Retirement Board and change provisions relating to prior service retirement benefit payments for county employees
Transportation and Telecommunications Committee
Room 1113, 1:30 p.m.
- LB164 (Geist) Change provisions relating to trailers, commercial motor vehicle disqualification provisions, accident reports, and motor vehicle records disclosure and authorize the Department of Motor Vehicles to keep and sell certain registration and certificate of title records
- LB177 (Bostelman) Change provisions relating to apportionable and fleet vehicles, motor fuel tax collections and enforcement, and powers and duties of the Director of Motor Vehicles
Return to top
|
|
|
|
|
