After last week, the Legislature only has 23 more legislative days to finish its work for the 2008 session. All-day debate started last week and much was discussed on the floor of the Unicameral. I would like to hit on a few of those discussions.

Increased penalties for the possession of marijuana, was one of those issues that had extended discussions. In fact, LB 844 went a full eight hours of debate until a successful motion to invoke cloture ended the discussion, advancing it to Select File.

Legislative Bill 844 would adjust upward penalties for possession of marijuana, coming closer to resembling statutes dealing with minors in possession of alcohol. It would increase the penalty for possessing more than an ounce of marijuana, but not more than a pound, from a Class IIIA misdemeanor to a Class III misdemeanor. This change increases the maximum jail time from seven days to three months. In addition, LB 844 would increase fines for the first, second, third and subsequent offenses for possessing one ounce or less of marijuana by $200 dollars. This would make the fine for first offense $300, the second offense $400, and third and subsequent offenses $500. I support this bill, and I will help it advance.

Another bill debated last week was Legislative Bill 1049 that makes changes to the eligibility and terms of Game and Parks commissioners. This bill would address the problem of appointees for the position of Game and Parks Commissioner changing their political party membership to qualify for appointment to the commission. This is done to comply with the current law that states, "Not more than four of the members of the commission shall be affiliated with the same political party." LB 1049 adds language that clarifies that for purposes of appointment to the commission, the political party of a prospective member shall be determined by their party membership during the previous state-wide general election.

In addition, the bill would change the current five-year length of term with a four-year term, allow for the reappointment of a commissioner, and restrict an individual to two full terms in a lifetime. I co-sponsored LB 1049 and I believe it would allow more Nebraskans to serve on the commission, and at the same time increase accountability of the commission.

This week I hope to see on the floor for debate, LB 1094, which addresses the problem of irrigators not being paid who leased water to the Natural Resources Districts in 2007. LB 1094, introduced by Sen. Carlson, and my priority bill for this session, would create the Water Contingency Cash Fund, to use for such emergencies. LB 1094 would transfer the necessary money from the Cash Reserve fund to the contingency fund for the Department of Natural Resources to assist the NRDs with payment to the farmers. In addition, the bill also has guidelines requiring repayment of all assistance provided through the contingency fund. I am optimistic that we will advance LB 1094 avoiding the unnecessary creation of future difficulties for NRDs and DNR to manage the basin's water.