It is Day 80 of the 90-Day Session and members of the Nebraska Legislature gave final round approval to the state budget.
As we worked toward finalizing the state budget, we also debated and advanced several bills with significant social and economic implications. Senator Ballard’s LB 415, a Business and Labor Committee Priority Bill, advanced to Final Reading after receiving a 33-14 vote this week. The Legislature also advanced a scaled back version of Legislative Bill 89, which now applies only to K-12 and collegiate sports, removing earlier provisions affecting bathrooms, locker rooms, and state agencies. The bill requires student-athletes to compete based on their sex assigned at birth, verified by a doctor’s note.
Over one hundred bills have been passed on Final Reading and signed by Governor Pillen to date. The Governor has five days, excluding Sundays, to make this determination. If the Governor provides his signature, the bill will become a state law. Most bills passed by the Legislature and approved by the Governor become law ninety days after adjournment, unless they include an emergency clause, in which case they would go into effect immediately.
In contrast, lawmakers passed LB 319 with a 32-17 vote, but Governor Pillen vetoed the measure that would have ended the lifetime ban on SNAP benefits for certain individuals with drug-related felony convictions. Introduced by Senator Victor Rountree, the bill sought to expand food assistance access to those who had completed their sentence or undergone treatment. Governor Pillen opposed the measure, saying that it created “loopholes” for repeat offenders. The Legislature has the authority to override a governor’s veto with a three-fifths majority, or 30 votes. A motion to override the veto will be debated on Monday, May 19.
As always, I appreciate your continued engagement on these important topics. If you have any feedback or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your input is invaluable in shaping the future of our district and state. You can contact my office at (402) 471-2616 or by email at pstrommen@leg.ne.gov.