Status of the Session – January 12, 2022
The Nebraska Legislature returned on January 5 to begin its 2022 session. This will be the so-called short session, at 60 meeting days, but there is a lot on the agenda. Adjournment is scheduled for April 20. New bill introductions began on day 1 and will continue through the 10th meeting day (January 20.) So far, […]
Status of the Session – June 4, 2021
The status of the session is, well . . . it’s over. The Legislature wrapped the 2021 regular session on May 27 (at 11:14 a.m. to be exact, but who was actually counting the seconds.) It was a remarkable session in a number of ways. Senators (and the public) endured what were most often day-long […]
Status of the Session – May 18, 2021
Seven Days in May (eight technically, but who’s counting). Tuesday marks the 79th day of what had been scheduled as a 90-day session of the Legislature. Things changed when Speaker Hilgers announced May 27 as the target adjournment. That could change by a day, but the end is in sight. The early adjournment is technically […]
Status of the Session – April 30, 2021
The Legislature has completed 70 of the planned 90 days of the 2021 session. Senators have been busy, so far approving 92 measures. That includes the new two-year state budget, so they could theoretically go home for the year at any time. Note that the budget was successfully amended to include Chamber priorities such as […]
Status of the Session – March 29, 2021
Senators have completed 50 of the scheduled 90 days of the 2021 session. Regular committee hearings have given way to day-long floor debate, and most time allotments go to bills that have been designated as priorities by senators and committees. Expected shortly is the new two-year state budget. Under the rules of the legislature, the […]
Status of the Session – March 2, 2021
Welcome to March and day 36 of the Legislature’s session. Day-long committee hearings continue (and the Capitol ballet of getting from room to room on time). An end, though, is in sight. The final meeting is scheduled for the morning of March 12. Then it will be on to day-long floor debate. March 11 is […]
Status of the Session – February 8, 2021
On Friday, the Legislature completed the fifth week of the session. The day-long hearing schedule continues, with testifiers running from room to room in the Capitol as there are more than usual timing conflicts. They also have to comply with COVID rules that restrict attendance in hearing rooms, as well as strict requirements for submission […]
Status of the Session – January 11, 2021
The Nebraska Legislature convened for the 2021 session on January 3. The order of business on the first day included swearing in eight new senators and the selection of a new Speaker and committee chairs. Senator Mike Hilgers of Lincoln was elected as Speaker. Committee chairs are: Agriculture: Steve Halloran, Hastings. Reelected. Appropriations: John Stinner, […]
Status of the Session – March 16, 2020
The status of the Legislature’s 2020 session is . . . uncertain, unsettled, fluid, This morning, Speaker Scheer announced that proceedings have been postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 situation. Senators might reconvene next week if emergency appropriations are necessary. We are in a sixty-day session, and 20 meeting days remain. There is no constitutional […]
Status of the Session – March 3, 2020
Senators have passed the halfway point in the 2020 session, and there is a bit of heavy lifting to do before the scheduled April 23 adjournment. Committee hearings concluded at the end of last week and full day floor debate begins today. With senator and committee priority bills designated, the way forward is a little […]