Legislature advances two of Hughes' bills

Last week the Legislature moved two of my bills onto final reading. Both LB 758 and 275 were moved to the final stages of the process. If these bills receive twenty-five yes votes from my colleagues they will be sent to Governor Ricketts for his signature. Last week, the Executive Committee which I am a member of, held a hearing on a hot topic, LR 277. I would like to give an explanation of the resolution, as well as, an update on LB 1008, a bill heard in the Natural Resources Committee.

LR 277 is a resolution introduced by Senator Schumacher of Columbus, the resolution would allow the current legislature to review past legislature’s calls to Congress for a constitutional convention under Article V of the United State Constitution. This is simply a housekeeping measure. Previous legislatures have called on Congress on more than ten different occasions, including four separate calls to require U.S. Senators to be elected by a direct vote of the people, which the 17th amendment addresses and was ratified in 1913. In 1911 there was a call to prohibit polygamy and polygamous cohabitation. In 1949 a call to limit the power of Congress to levy an income tax and establish revenue-sharing agreements between the states and federal government. In 1965 there was a call to require fair division of electoral votes cast for all candidates (proportional Electoral College). In 1965 a call to prohibit limitations on how states apportion legislative districts. 1978 they called to adopt a human life amendment and include unborn in the definition of a person. In 1979 a call to require a balanced budget amendment. Finally, in 2010 a call to reaffirm the previously passed resolution that called for a balanced budget amendment. Over time new priorities come up, something popular one hundred years ago may not be popular today. It is important for the current legislature to clean the slate.

LB 1008 introduced by Senator Bostelman of Brainard, would increase amounts of damages for certain violations of Game Law. To any person who sells, purchases, takes, or possesses wildlife, contrary to the Game Law shall be liable to the State of Nebraska for damages caused. A few examples; the penalty for a mountain sheep raises from $15,000 to $25,000, for mountain lions, lynx, bobcats, river otters would raise from $500 to $5,000. These fines are used as a deterrent to the illegal behavior and the fines go to the school districts.

I always enjoy hearing from the Nebraskans I represent. Please feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns that you might have. My email address is dhughes@leg.ne.gov and my phone number is (402) 471-2805.You can read more about bills and other work of the Legislature at www.nebraskalegislature.gov, and you can click on the Live Video Streaming NET logo to watch sessions, hearings, and other Capitol events