Capitol Fly on the Wall

The major development of last week was the advancement of LB 77, Sen. Brewer’s priority bill that would allow for concealed carry of handguns without a permit. Currently, handgun owners must complete a background check, a safety course, and pay a $100 fee to obtain a permit to carry concealed.

Most of the action on the floor last week stemmed from growing tension over the advancement of two highly controversial bills: LB 626, Sen. Albrecht’s “Heartbeat Bill” which would effectively ban most abortions in Nebraska; and LB 574, Sen. Kauth’s “Let Them Grow” Act which would ban gender-affirming care for

Senators will be coming back refreshed (?) from a four day weekend this week, with last Friday’s recess day and Monday’s Presidents Day holiday. They’ll continue debate of General File bills in worksheet order in the mornings with hearings in the afternoons. This continues through nearly the end of March,

Last week wrapped up the final set of all-day committee hearings, much to senator and staff relief.  Despite a recess day Monday, the week was a heavy one, with several bills on hot topics drawing large crowds. The Judiciary committee had its “Marijuana Day”, hearing three bills that would legalize

All-day hearings began in full force last week, with committees digging right in to some of the most controversial issues of the session. Hearings on a proposed abortion ban (LB 626, Albrecht), an implementation framework for the Voter ID initiative passed by voters last fall (LB 535, Slama), a subminimum

Governor Pillen delivered his State of the State address this week, during which he unveiled his tax reduction and school funding package that critics have estimated will quickly eat up all of the state’s $1.2 billion budget surplus. If passed, fiscal analysts say these measures will have the state overcommitted

After the previous week’s marathon hearing on over 58 proposed changes to the legislative rules, senators last week debated seven proposals that were advanced to the floor by the rules committee and eventually adopted the permanent rules with relatively little drama. Perhaps the most publicized and controversial potential change, one

We’re off to the races with what is shaping up to be possibly one of the most contentious legislative sessions of this Fly’s tenure in the Capitol.  With a huge volume of legislative bills, constitutional amendments, and resolutions introduced – nearly 500 – ready or not, legislators will need to