April 14, 2023

2023 SESSION, 108TH LEGISLATURE

The Legislature passed the 60-day mark this week and no bills have yet to receive final approval. Lawmakers spent the majority of the week addressing back-to-back-to-back contentious issues, having to invoke cloture in each case to move LB 574 (restrictions on transgender surgery for minors); LB 626 (“heartbeat” abortion bill); and LB 753 (tax credits for private school scholarships) to the next round of debate.

Christmas in April

As the week drew to a close, the Legislature commenced debate on the first of the mega, “Christmas Tree” Committee priority bills. The Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Senator Ben Hansen (Blair), has designated LB 227, containing five separate bills, as one of its two Committee priorities. Under an amendment presented on Friday morning, the second Health and Human Services Committee priority bill (LB 181), containing an additional six bills was proposed for adoption.
 
As previously reported, in an effort to address the ongoing filibuster efforts, these types of packages are expected to become routine. The Revenue Committee has already advanced a Committee priority bill containing, in part, the following measures supported by the NBA:
 
LB 207 – Trust Deeds-Location Of Trustee’s Sale
Senator Brad von Gillern (Omaha) is the sponsor of LB 207, which would clarify that the sale of property pursuant to a power of sale under a trust deed may be conducted on the premises, at the county courthouse, or in any public building in which county offices are located within the county in which the property to be sold is situated.
 
LB 214 - Omnibus Department Of Banking Bill
Introduced by Senator Julie Slama (Dunbar) LB 214 would adopt changes to federal law regarding banking and finance and change provisions relating to digital asset depositories, loan brokers, mortgage loan originators, and installment loans. The bill would also renew the annual bank and savings and loan “wild-card” provisions.
 
LB 669 – Department Of Banking Conditional Orders
Introduced by Senator Beau Ballard (Lincoln), LB 669 would authorize the Director of the Department of Banking to prescribe conditions for banks, trust companies, credit unions, building and loan associations, savings and loan associations, digital asset depositories, and their holding companies, if any, as part of any written order, decision or determination required to be made pursuant to the Nebraska Banking Act, Chapter 8, Article 3, the Credit Union Act, and the Nebraska Financial Innovation Act.
 
LB 674 – Nebraska Financial Innovation Act
​Introduced by Senator Mike Jacobson (North Platte), LB 674 would make technical corrections to the Nebraska Financial Innovation Act regarding digital asset depositories.

North/South Omaha Recovery Act Advances

In an unusual turn of events, the Legislature moved quickly through four bills designated as Speaker’s “Super Priority” measures on Tuesday. The Speaker’s “Super Priority” measures included two appropriations measures authorizing payment of salaries of legislators and constitutional officers, a bill relating to payment of claims by the state and a bill for judge’s salaries. The respite from continuing filibusters appears to be designed to allow for prompt action on LB 531, a bill supported by the NBA, a bill introduced by Senator Terrell McKinney (Omaha) and designated as a priority bill by the Urban Affairs Committee, which would provide funding for grants to multiple proposals seeking to revitalize parts of North and South Omaha. ​

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