January 31, 2025

109th Legislature, 1st Session

Committee Hearings Continue

Committee hearings on a number of issues dominated the Legislature this week. These include late-night hearings on "Winner Take All" for electoral votes (LB 3 and LR 24CA), hemp (LB 16 and LB 316), landlord-tenant issues (LB 2, LB 185, LB 233 and LB 235), and the death penalty (LR 15CA and LB 432).

Other highlights include the State of the Judiciary Address from Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke on Tuesday. Chief Justice Funke highlighted the significant progress courts have made in the probation system and reducing recidivism. He also highlighted goals of improving court technology and access to the court system by individuals not represented by attorneys.

The Legislature began debate on bills that have already been advanced from each committee. Speaker John Arch (La Vista) scheduled these bills, which are largely non-controversial in "worksheet order," meaning they were taken up in the order they were advanced from the respective committee.

Floor Debate Commences

Two NBA affirmative bills were heard this week. LB 85, introduced by Senator Wendy DeBoer (Bennington) on behalf of the NBA, advanced Thursday to Select File on a 42-0 vote. 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 a certified death certificate.

Additionally, LB 250, introduced by Senator Mike Jacobson (North Platte) on behalf of the NBA, is scheduled for floor debate on Monday. LB 250 would modernize residency requirements for board members of Nebraska state-chartered banks. The bill removes geographic restrictions requiring most board members to live in Nebraska or within 25 miles of a banks main office. As Nebraska banks expand beyond state lines, this change would give them the flexibility to recruit highly qualified board members from states where they operate.

Committee Hearing Activity

Next week, the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee will take up LB 241 and LB 609. 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 609 would adopt the Controllable Electronic Record Fraud Prevention Act to require registration and licensure of cryptocurrency kiosks. The bill would also enact consumer protection measures for gift cards and prepaid cards for businesses, other than financial institutions. 

Dates of Importance

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

Government Relations Forum A Success

Over 75 bankers attended the NBA Government Relations Forum on Thursday, January 30. Bankers enjoyed lunch with 22 state senators and presentations by Governor Jim Pillen, Director of the Department of Banking and Finance Kelly Lammers, and State Senators Rob Clements, Mike Jacobson and Bob Hallstrom. NBA General Counsel Ryan McIntosh provided an overview of the legislative session activities and a review of the bills of interest to the NBA.