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Smoke, prairie dogs roll in
Deliberations on Monday proved to be productive, as four bills originally referenced to the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee were advanced from Select File to Final Reading.
Items for the agenda included only two of these bills; the additional two were amended into other legislation passed throughout the day. Legislative Bills can be redrafted in the form of an amendment and receive a vote if the sections of statute are relevant and related to the actual bill up for debate.
This procedure is one of very few left in this session with regard to passing non-priority legislation.
The pace of the week slowed, however, as the smoke and the prairie dogs rolled in. Both Tuesday and Wednesday were spent discussing smoking issues in the morning and legislation pertaining to prairie dogs in the afternoon.
Legislative Bill 480, introduced by Senator Nancy Thompson, would change provisions of the Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act by eliminating smoking in all restaurants in Nebraska. It would also address portions of statute that allow smoking in certain buildings associated with the Nebraska State Fairgrounds, University of Nebraska, and Nebraska State Colleges.
The bill as well as several amendments was debated at length. A final vote on the original legislation was reached late Wednesday morning with 19 ayes and 26 nays. Hence, the bill failed to advance for review.
LB 673, which would adopt the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management Act, absorbed the remaining time during the week.
This bill that was introduced and prioritized by Senator Louden would implement a plan to prevent the uncontrolled spread of colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs. One dozen amendments were offered for consideration, and debate continued until adjournment on Thursday. A final vote on the bill was not reached. The bill, however, does reappear on Tuesday's upcoming agenda.
The first agenda item up for discussion on Tuesday will be Legislative Bill 70 introduced and prioritized by Senator Smith. This controversial bill, although redrafted from previous years, would change and eliminate provisions relating to motorcycle safety and helmets.
The legislature will be in recess on both Friday and Monday.
Sen. Tom Baker
Legislative District 44
State Capitol Building
Room 1101
P.O. Box 94604
Lincoln, NE 68509
402-471-2805