Erdman Edition: 2008 Priority Bills Selected

Senator and Committee priority bills were chosen on Friday, February 22, 2008. Priority bills are entitled to be heard ahead of all other bills, except budget bills, at each stage of debate. Each Senator may choose only one priority bill, Committees may choose two priority bills, and the Speaker can designate up to 25 bills for priority status.

My priority bill, LB 1049, makes essential and fundamental reforms to the qualifications and terms of Game and Parks Commissioners. This bill corrects the problem of potential appointees changing their party affiliation to qualify for the commission, changes the length of a commissioner's term from five year terms to four year terms, allows for the reappointment of a commissioner, and imposes a lifetime limit of two full terms. These provisions coupled together provide better accountability of the commission as well as ensuring there are opportunities for more Nebraskans to serve.

As Chairman of the Agriculture Committee, I also have the responsibility to designate two bills as committee priority bills for the session. I have designated LB 1116 and LB 1027 as the Agriculture Committee’s priorities.

LB 1116 removes the requirement from statute that the State Fair be held at its current location to allow the Fair Board to consider other locations. However, the bill further directs that if the University of Nebraska acquires the property for a research park, it shall contribute at least $30 million to assist the Fair Board in the costs of developing a new site. LB 1116 has not yet advanced from committee, but when it does, it will likely contain elements of other bills related to the State Fair that were heard by the Agriculture Committee this session.

LB 1027 amends the Beginning Farmer program creating an exemption up to $100,000 of the value of agricultural machinery and equipment owned by the beginning farmer from the personal property tax for three years. Research has shown that the first 3-4 years are the most critical in determining whether an individual starting in agricultural production will be successful. One of the limiting factors for new farmer success is the ability to acquire machinery to take advantage of efficiencies and other income opportunities. LB 1027 would reduce at least one burden for beginning farmers to become an established producer. LB 1027 has been advanced to general file.

LB 1056, another bill I introduced, was designated as a Speaker Priority Bill. LB 1056 creates the First-Class City Merger Act to permit the voluntary merger of first-class cities who share a common border and are located within the same county if approved by registered voters. As Scottsbluff and Gering have increasingly worked together to provide services to their citizens, some have discussed merging the cities. Current law does not provide a process or allow two cities of the first class to merge. LB 1056 solves that problem and gives residents of those communities the final decision whether to merge.

There were many other important bills selected for priority designation this year. The complete lists of 2008 Senator, Committee, and Speaker priority bills are available online at www.nebraskalegislature.gov.

The Legislature has chosen the priority bills for this session and I welcome your opinions, insights, and comments on the issues we are facing. Please contact me at my Lincoln office either by mail: Sen. Philip Erdman, District 47, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604; by email: perdman@leg.ne.gov; or by phone: (866) 800-7445.