We’re about halfway through committee hearings before the session moves to full days of floor debate. By mid-March, Senators, the Speaker and Committees will have to select what bills they want to prioritize.
Right now, only one of our priority bills — LB 192 to eliminate the sunset date for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has advanced to General File. If a bill you care about, or want to see stopped, is still in committee, consider contacting members of that committee directly with your support or opposition.
Upcoming Hearings
Submit your online comments up until 8:00 am (CST) the day of the hearing to be considered as part of the official record. Click on the linked bill number below and then find the box that reads, “Submit Comments Online” to add your testimony.
- OPPOSE LB 379 (Sen. Bob Andersen) that would change the maximum time limit for cash assistance under the Welfare Reform Act; and OPPOSE LB 656 (also Sen. Andersen) that would change work requirements under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These bills use the weight of government to punish people living in poverty by limiting their benefits. Both bills will be heard by the Health and Human Services Committee.
- OPPOSE LB 443 (Sen. Brad Von Gillern) that would create a new offense for street homelessness, including penalizing trespassing on private property and putting up tents. The bill will be heard by the Judiciary Committee.
Three bills relating to abortion care and pregnancy outcomes will be in front of committees this day.
- SUPPORT LB 53 (Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh) provides criminal and civil immunity for pregnancy outcomes, including those experiencing a stillbirth, miscarriage or any pregnancy outcome that does not result in a live birth. The bill will be heard by the Judiciary Committee.
- OPPOSE LB 632 (Sen. Ben Hansen) intrudes on personal medical decisions and opens the door to surveillance and criminalization of pregnancy outcomes. This legislation follows similar anti-abortion tactics to punish women who decide their own lives and futures by prosecuting them with unrelated charges in order to punish women for their pregnancy outcomes. The all-male Health and Human Services Committee will hear this bill.
- OPPOSE LB 669 (Sen. Tonya Storer) will further restrict abortion services by requiring patients to go through invasive questioning based on the false assumption that those who seek abortion care are coerced. The bill will also be heard by the Judiciary Committee.
To continue to protect abortion access in our state, add your online comments to these bills by 8 am on March 6.
- SUPPORT LB 348 (Sen. Jason Prokop) to appropriate funds for domestic violence services. This bill helps domestic violence organizations fulfill their statutory obligations of providing specific and necessary services for survivors in our communities. The bill will be heard by the Appropriations Committee.
Two bills impacting survivors of sexual violence in court proceedings will be heard by the Judiciary Committee.
- SUPPORT LB 103 (Sen. Wendy DeBoer) to change Nebraska Evidence Rules to prohibit questions relating to past sexual behavior or sexual assaults in pretrial proceedings. This is a step forward in removing victim-blaming narratives from sexual violence related civil and criminal proceedings.
- SUPPORT LB 159 (Sen. Dunixi Guereca) would consider victim status in sentencing, including if the offender has been sexually abused by a family member or partner, or is a trafficking victim.