Lawmakers to return for special session on redistricting

As most of you are reading this we will be on our last day of the One Hundred Seventh Legislature, First Session. We pushed ourselves hard at the end to pass as many priority bills as possible. As most of you know the Legislature works in a two-year cycle and we’re in the first session, so that means that all of the bills that were introduced this year that were not either signed into law or IPP (killed) will be back next year. The 2022 session will be our short session and we will only meet for 60 days beginning in early January and ending sometime in later April.

We will be back this fall for a special session in which the only topic up for consideration will be redistricting. Hopefully, the Federal Government will have the census data available by mid-August so we can begin the process. Our redistricting committee will begin its work of drawing maps for Congressional, Legislative, and Judicial districts. Once that is done the committee will present to the full Legislature and debate will begin. It is looking like September will be our time frame for the special session for the full Legislature to approve the new maps. If we can complete this work by October 1st as is our goal, the filing date for candidates will be moved back from December 1 to January 1. I am optimistic our process will go as smoothly as it has in the past.

We will probably lose one seat somewhere in rural Nebraska. Even though we won’t know what the boundaries will be, it is not too soon to start thinking about whether you’re interested in running for office. If you have ever thought about running for the Legislature I encourage you to get a hold of me. I would be more than happy to discuss with you what to anticipate in running a campaign, what to expect if elected, staffing, time commitments involved, among other things.

As many of us attend parades and picnics this weekend please don’t forget the reason we celebrate Memorial Day. I hope that each and every one of you take a few moments to think about those who paid the ultimate price protecting our country and our freedoms. I am privileged to be giving the keynote address at both the Venango cemetery service and at the dedication of the veterans memorial in Imperial on Memorial Day. It is important to remember to thank all of our veterans on this special day.

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. My office is in room 2108 at the Capitol if you are in the Lincoln area. 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 NPM logo to watch the session, hearings, and other Capitol events.