LINCOLN - In his latest legislative column, State Sen. Bob Hallstrom provides updates on Arbor Day license plates and local hospital representation at the signing of the contract pharmacy protection act.

Sen. Hallstrom said Sen. John Frederickson’s bill to allow Arbor Day license plates was merged with the priority transportation and telecommunication bill.

He said Mary Kent and Olivia Little of the Johnson County Hospital and Dr. Dan Defreece of CHI Health St. Mary’s attended the signing ceremony for the contract pharmacy protection act.

The legislature is expected to discuss its budget bill and the current budget shortfall on April 29. He invited input on ways to balance the budget, including eliminating certain sales tax exemptions, changing nonresident income tax provisions and changing sunset dates for certain tax incentives.

Here is the senator's column:

With two-thirds of the 2025 Legislative Session having been completed, we continue with all-day floor debate.  Evening sessions will commence on April 22.

I had two bills that were amended into committee priority bills. LB 175 (“successor in interest” to a railroad) was merged into LB 398, the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee’s priority bill. LB 398 also includes LB 568, introduced by Senator John Frederickson, which authorizes an Arbor Day license plate. LB 232 (provide requirements for life insurance policies) was amended into LB 474, the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee’s priority bill. Both LB 398 and LB 474 advanced from General File to Select File last week.

LB 168, introduced by Senator Brian Hardin, also known as 340B Contract Pharmacy Protection Act, was signed into law by Governor Pillen. I was honored to join Johnson County Hospital Administrator Mary Kent, Johnson County Hospital 340B Coordinator Olivia Little, and CHI Nebraska City Administrator Dr. Daniel Defreece at the signing ceremony.

FLOOR ACTION

The bill that received the most attention this past week was LB 3 (“Winner Take All”), introduced by Senator Loren Lippincott. There was fierce debate on this bill, but it failed to advance as the bill did not get the 33 votes necessary to invoke cloture.

Two bills affecting young people, LB 504 and LB 383, were debated last week. LB 504 (Adopt the Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act, introduced by Senator Carolyn Bosn, advanced from Select File. LB 383 (Adopt the Parental Rights in Social Media Act), introduced by Senator Tanya Storer, was debated but no action was taken. Both bills highlight how rapid changes in technology are affecting our children, and emphasized parental involvement in helping our youth navigate the challenges of their personal and social development.

We are scheduled to begin discussing budget bills on Legislative Day 70, which is Tuesday, April 29. We will be looking for potential revenue raising bills to offset our current budget shortfall. One such measure could be LB 650, introduced by Senator Brad von Gillern. This bill aims to eliminate certain sales tax exemptions, change income tax provisions relating to nonresident income and certain tax credits, and provide and change certain sunset dates relating to tax incentives.

 I welcome your input on issues of interest and importance to you. I encourage you to follow along on my Facebook page designated as Senator Bob Hallstrom, for updates on legislation and District 1 activities. Please feel free to contact me directly at Senator Bob Hallstrom, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509; Telephone (402)471-2733; or email me at bhallstrom@leg.ne.gov.