Legislative Newsletter

Legislative Newsletter

Senator Tom Carlson-District 38

January 27, 2012
There were 468 new bills introduced during the first ten days of this session. Each of those bills will have a public hearing while, in the mornings, we have debate on “hold over” bills from last session.
Two of the bills on today’s agenda were advanced from the Ag Committee, which I chair. LB 459, introduced by Senator Schilz, would limit the adoption of any law by a political subdivision, regarding the ownership of an animal.
The bill is an important bill. As animal rights groups become more active in Nebraska, it is important to clarify statutes so that animals remain as personal property under ownership; and ownership not be confused with, or slide into, guardianship. The bill passed General File and advanced to Select File, which is the second round of debate.
LB 473, by Senator Louden, would adopt the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management Act. This bill allows for counties to develop and implement a plan to manage Black Tailed Prairie Dogs. Such a plan can not conflict with state or federal management plans. Prairie dogs are a problem in some areas of the state and I believe it is appropriate to allow for such management plans. This bill also advanced to Select File.
I introduced three new bills, in addition to my bills referred to the Agriculture Committee. My priority will be Legislative Resolution 358 CA, meaning Constitutional Amendment. The bill extends term limits to three consecutive four-year terms, instead of the current two four-year terms.
If approved by the legislature, the measure will appear on the November ballot for voters to decide. The hearing for this bill is February 1st, at noon, in front of the Executive Board. Please contact me with any questions or suggestions on this resolution.
LB 1156 would exempt non-equalized schools from expenditure limits in the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act, more commonly referred to as TEEOSA. These schools, if they are under their levy limit of $1.05, feel their boards should be able to control district spending when they receive no equalization under the state aid formula. If LB 1156 would become law, the bill specifies that the extra spending would not be included in the state aid formula, and thus would not have the effect of increasing expenditures as a result of the formula. This bill is scheduled for hearing on February 13th in front of the Education Committee.
The third bill is LB 1058, which I introduced on behalf of the Department of Labor. The bill puts in statute rules and regulations that have been used by the department concerning employment law and makes changes to state law as required by the Federal government. It could be classified as a department clean up bill.