Bill to require electronic reports advances

Senators gave first-round approval March 6 to a bill that would require electronic submission of all reports submitted to the Legislature, including reports to standing committees and the fiscal office.
Omaha Sen. Beau McCoy, sponsor of LB782, said the bill would reduce printing costs and paper consumption as well as make it easier for senators to share reports with constituents.
“It just seems to me to be a common-sense piece of legislation,” he said. “It really just modernizes how we do things around here.”
A Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee amendment delays the operative date until January 1, 2015, in sections of the bill dealing with reports filed by lobbyists and principals.
The amendment also would allow the clerk of the Legislature to establish requirements for the electronic submission, distribution and format of required reports. Under the amendment, the clerk could accept a report in written form only upon a showing of good cause.
Lawmakers adopted the amendment and advanced the bill to select file on votes of 26-0.