This has been an important week around the Capitol, as we have reached the deadline for Senator and Committee Priority Bill designations. I have chosen Legislative Bill 538, introduced by Senator Brian Hardin and who represents our neighboring District 48, as my personal priority bill for the 2025 Legislative Session. The intent of LB 538 is to address and prohibit discrimination, including antisemitic incidents, in Nebraska public K-12 schools and postsecondary institutions.
Additionally this week, LB 312, the bill I introduced to include nurse anesthetists as an eligible provider in an existing student loan repayment program, was considered on Select File and advanced to the final stage of debate, Final Reading. Senator Riepe filed an amendment to my bill to add provisions from his LB 553 to include licensed dietitian nutritionists, which was also successful.
I am also pleased to share LB 698, which proposes to make changes to the Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplace Act, was merged into Senator Ballard’s LB 415 through a committee amendment and has been designated as a Business and Labor Committee Priority Bill for this session. The amendment was advanced out of committee with six votes in favor and one opposed. It will require a vote of the legislative body to be adopted.
Similarly, LB 697, the bill I introduced to add members to the Board of Pharmacy and allow provisions related to delegated dispensing permits and telehealth, was included in a committee amendment to LB 332, a Health and Human Services Committee Priority Bill. It, too, will require a successful vote by a majority of the Legislature.
On Thursday, I had the pleasure of meeting with a leadership class from Keith County who toured our State Capitol and joined us in the balcony for a portion of the morning’s legislative session. We wrapped up their visit with a meeting in my office to discuss the session’s proceedings and other key topics, including the Perkins County Canal.
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.