Legislative Newsletter

Senator Tom Carson
District 38

 Tuesday, March 5th, was an unusual day in the Legislature as there were both morning and afternoon hearings to make up the afternoon canceled last month due to snow storms. Because of the double schedules, I introduced four bills during the day, besides presiding at the rescheduled Natural Resource hearing in the morning.
I introduced two bills in front of the Agriculture Committee and it was nice to be back among my colleagues on that committee. LB 287 would allow commercial dog and cat breeders to vaccinate their animals for rabies, if acting within a veterinary care plan. This bill has the potential for savings to breeders who must meet new standards for care plans.
LB 288, also in front of the Ag Committee, changes the definition of commercial breeder. Current law is confusing with several criteria, including owning four or more breeding dogs or producing four or more litters a year. The bill would combine criteria to say that a breeder is subject to the Commercial Dog and Cat Operator Inspector Act only if they own four or more animals and produce four or more litters a year.
The Natural Resources Committee heard LB 557 yesterday, concerning so called “solar gardens.”
Senator Amanda McGill introduced the measure to allow groups of individuals to join together in co-ops in exchange for credits on their electric bills. Individuals, businesses, or nonprofits could set up solar panels in an empty field or on the roof of a building. Others could purchase shares rather than installing solar panels at their own homes or businesses. One of the problems with the bill, as I see it, is that it would override any rule or covenant of a homeowners association.
Today I will introduce LB 477 in front of the Natural Resources Committee to extend the sunset for the Riparian Vegetation Management Task Force. This task force, which was created during my first year in the legislature, is a program I am very proud to say has been successful due to the hard work on the part of the NRD’s and weed control districts along the Platte and Republican Rivers. It has worked so well that we need more time to determine what a maintenance plan should be.
LB 98, passed in 2009, ended the work of the task force as of June of this year. LB 477 would extend the task force another two years, to June 30, 2015. I am confident that the work started will be continued as we strive to conserve water in the river basins.