Legislative Newsletter

Senator Tom Carlson

 The Legislature hit a speed bump the past week while we debated LB 393, a bill to allow those riding motorcycles to do so without protective eye and head gear. This bill has been introduced numerous times in previous sessions. Most of the filibuster centered on the costs to the state to shoulder the medical treatment costs of those injured versus personal freedom. I have heard from several constituent groups and had visitors to my office in favor of this bill. While I do not like expanded government regulations, I had to stay with my original vote on this issue and agree that helmets are necessary for motorcycle riders in our state. The debate ended when a vote for cloture failed to garner the required 33 votes. It is doubtful the bill will be placed on the agenda again and it will die at the end of the session.
Priority bill designation has begun. Senators may choose one bill as a priority. It does not have to be a bill that they personally introduced. Standing committees may each select two bills as priority legislation. The Speaker of the Legislature may designate up to 25 bills as his priority. Floor debate will focus on priority bills for the remainder of the Session.
The three bills introduced to carry out the mission of the Water Funding Task Force are scheduled for hearings. LBs 940 and 1046 will be introduced to the Appropriations Committee on February 18th. My priority bill, LB 1098, will be heard by the Natural Resources Committee on February 26th.
LB 1098 would restructure the Natural Resources Commission. The Commission is presently responsible for the management of state funding programs administered by the Department of Natural Resources. Three of the 16 members are appointed by the Governor to represent the specific interests of: municipal water users, surface water irrigators, and public power. The remaining thirteen members are selected for four-year terms at caucuses of the Natural Resources Districts directors in Nebraska’s river basins.
LB 1098 would retain the original 16 members. In addition, 11 new members would be appointed by the Governor. With water being such a state priority after recent drought years, more groups in our state are concerned about and should be involved in implementing a sustainable water policy.
The two appropriation bills will ask for funding for the new Water Sustainability Fund. Senator Schilz’s bill, LB 940, requests a one time appropriation of $50 million from the state cash reserve fund for approved water projects.
Also on February 18th the appropriations committee will hear LB 1046, which I introduced. It asks for an annual appropriation, beginning in 2015, of $50 million per year to go into the Water Sustainability Fund.
The passage of these bills will enable us, as a state, to reach water sustainability in a reasonable period of time. I believe the water legislation, this session, is the most important we have debated the last eight years. Water is life.