Today in the Legislature

The first priority bill debated this year is LB 253 - which creates a motorcycle training and safety act as well as allows motorcyclists who meet the requirements in the bill the option to choose whether to wear a helmet or not. The debate began at 1:30 today and we ended the day just before 5 pm without a vote on the bill.

The discussion was as expected. Those against the bill argued that it would cost the state millions in health care and that all helmets are proven safe. Those in support of the bill argued that motorcycle riders are more likely to have insurance as well as health insurance and adults should be able to choose if they wear a helmet or not. Also, training and other similar measures are just as if not more effective than wearing a helmet.

I support LB 253 and will continue to work to see its passage. I have supported the measure every year I have been in the Legislature and have spent a great deal of time researching this issue as well as applying my family's personal experience with loosing a loved one who in a motorcycle accident.

We adjourned without taking a vote on the bill.

The State of the State is tomorrow and will be at 10:00 am (CST). The Legislature will be in session just prior to that and will continue debate after the State of the State as well as in the afternoon.

View the Legislature Live

When the Legislature is in session, you can watch it online at: http://www.netnebraska.org/television/stream/legislature.html or on your local cable network on NET2..

One Line Descriptions of Bills

To search the list of bills introduced for any day this session, you can visit the Nebraska Legislature's website by clicking here.

You will have to scroll down to 2008 to see the one line description of bills introduced this session.