January 17, 2024

109th Legislature, 1st Session

Bill Introduction Continues

The Legislature adjourned just after noon on Friday to wrap up day eight of the 90-day session. The week included bill introduction and hearings on proposed changes to the rules. As of today, there have been a total of 432 bills introduced. Senator Ben Hansen (Blair) announced yesterday that more than 1,100 requests had been submitted to the Revisor of Statutes for bills to be drafted. Senators will return next week on Tuesday for the final two days of bill introductions, with committee hearings scheduled to begin on Wednesday, January 22. 
 
Thus far, several significant bills have been introduced, including a budget bill that, similar to last year, would sweep a number of state agency cash funds into the General Fund to cover the projected $432 million shortfall. A number of other controversial issues, such as “Winner Take All” for Nebraska’s electoral college votes (LB 3 by Senator Loren Lippincott of Central City) and the Stand with Women Act (LB 89 by Senator Kathleen Kauth of Omaha) have been introduced as well.

NBA Affirmative Legislation

All four of the NBA’s affirmative bills have been introduced:
 
LB 85 – Amend Small Estate Affidavit Law
Introduced by Senator Wendy DeBoer (Bennington), LB 85 would allow use of an abstract of death provided by the Department of Health and Human Services as an alternative to a certified death certificate for small estate affidavits in the event of a delay in production of certified death certificate.

LB 232 – Life Insurance - Notice of Lapse or Termination of Life Insurance Assignments
Introduced by Senator Bob Hallstrom (Syracuse), LB 232 would prohibit life insurance policies subject to an assignment from being terminated or lapsed by reason of default in payment of any premium unless a notice of the pending lapse or termination of the policy has been provided by the insurer to known assignees at least 30 days prior to the effective date of the lapse or termination. The bill would provide that the notice may be provided electronically by the insurer to any assignee who has requested notice. The bill would also authorize senior citizens to designate a third party to receive notice of cancellation, nonrenewal and conditional renewals.

LB 241 – Cyber Security Liability Protection
Also introduced by Senator Hallstrom, LB 241 would define a cybersecurity event as an event resulting in unauthorized access to or disruption or misuse of an information system or nonpublic information system where the following information is accessed: (a) Social Security numbers; (b) driver’s license numbers or state identification card numbers; (c) financial account numbers or credit or debit card numbers; (d) security code, access code or password that would permit access to such person’s financial accounts; or (e) any biometric record. The bill would provide that a private entity shall not be liable in a class action resulting from a cybersecurity event unless the cybersecurity event was caused by willful, wanton or gross negligence on the part of the private entity.
 
LB 250 – Board of Directors Composition for Banks
Introduced by Senator Mike Jacobson (North Platte), LB 250 would amend current requirements under the Nebraska Banking Act that require a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of any bank to reside within the state of Nebraska. The bill provides that reasonable efforts shall be made for a majority of the members of the Board of Directors to reside in Nebraska, within 25 miles of the main office of the bank, in the county in which the main office of such bank is located, or in counties in which branches of such bank are located.

Dates of Importance

​​January 9
Bill introductions begin
 
January 15
Governor Pillen's State of the State Address
 
January 22
Last day for bill introductions
Permanent rules debate begins
Public hearings begin
 
January 28
​Chief Justice Funke's State of the Judiciary Address

March 14
Deadline for designation of committee and senator priority bills
 
March 17
Speaker priority bills announced
 
March 28
Last day of public hearings
 
March 31
Full day floor debate begins
 
June 9
​Day 90 of the legislative session

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2025 State Government Relations Forum

You are encouraged to sign up for the annual NBA State Government Relations Forum on January 30 at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel in Lincoln. Headlining the program will be presentations by Governor Pillen, a panel of state senators, NBA General Counsel Ryan McIntosh and NBA Associate General Counsel Jerry Stilmock. Nebraska Department of Banking Director Kelly Lammers will discuss Department initiatives.
 
The State Government Relations Forum presents an opportunity to meet personally with your state senator during lunch to discuss issues of importance to the banking industry, your institution and your community. We look forward to seeing you on January 30!
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