‘It’s nice to finally get a bill passed’: Nebraska Legislature makes some progress

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – On Monday, the 63rd day of the session, the Nebraska Legislature passed its first bill this year.

And many more are on their way to their final reading before they can be sent the governor’s desk for a signature.

The first bill to pass was LB 376, which creates a brand registration for the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission.

Sen. John Lowe of Kearney, who introduced the bill, said it will benefit businesses and help to accurately track alcohol coming into the state.

The vote came late Monday night after a full day of filibusters. Senators said that despite the slowdown, they’re still expecting this year to be productive.

“Somebody had to have the first bill, and I guess this year it just fell on me,” Lowe said. “Now on Day 63, or whatever it was, it’s nice to finally get a bill passed. We’re being slowed down, but we we’re always slowed down. Even when Sen. (Ernie) Chambers was here, we moved at a snail’s pace, and it gave us time to actually think about our bills.”

On Tuesday, two more bills were on the docket for their final reading.

One was LB 775, which changes provisions around horse racing and gambling in the state.

Lowe also introduced that bill and said it would not expand gambling in Nebraska but would help regulate it and make sure facilities are following the rules.

The other bill on its final reading is LB 296, which combines the Pet Insurance Act with another bill that affects telehealth.

Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln said it would create the framework and add consumer protections for the growing market of Nebraskans insuring their pets.

SEE ALSO: New bill seeks to regulate growing pet insurance market in Nebraska

“So right now, you can purchase pet insurance in Nebraska, there’s just not a lot of consumer protections,” he said. “A startup business could come sell pet insurance and sell you XY policy and not provide that service. And there’s not a ton that the Department of Insurance can do about that because there’s not the statutory framework.”

The other half of that insurance bill is Sen. John Fredrickson’s telehealth bill, which makes sure that providers get reimbursed for telehealth services the way they would for any other service.

“This helps enable better access to health care for Nebraskans, frankly statewide, particularly in rural areas where there might not be as many opportunities for in-person services,” he said. “This gives folks an opportunity to see medical providers on a remote basis.”

Senators say passing the first bill is a sign of progress in the Legislature this year.