State Legislature Short Session Expected to be Active

January 6th will be the day the State Legislature will convene for Nebraska’s short session. State Senators are already gearing up for what looks to be an active session. Aside from the budget topping the agenda, senators are also preparing for discussion on several other issues. A few Nebraska lawmakers say they support legislation making liquor-license holders liable for serving intoxicated customers who leave their establishments and hurt themselves or others. One lawmaker has plans to introduce a proposal for a so-called dram shop law. Sen. Tom Carlson of Holdrege says Nebraska is behind the times and he believes such legislation is needed. In a pre-session survey of state senators, 13 of the 49 said they don't support imposing such liabilities. Fifteen others were unsure. Five, counting Carlson, said they support it. Sixteen others didn't participate. State Sen. John Harms of Scottsbluff wants police to be able to stop and ticket people who are texting while driving. Harms plans to introduce a bill during the 2010 legislative session that would outlaw texting by anyone who is driving at the time. He wants it to be a primary offense rather than a second offense. With a secondary offense, the driver must first be stopped for another traffic offense such as speeding. As of Jan. 1 there will be 19 states where it is illegal to text while driving.