District 43, I’m pleased to share the latest updates from the Capitol with you. It’s been a fast-paced and productive week, and as always, keeping you informed about the work being done remains a priority.

Here is a brief recap of bills heard last week in the committees I serve on: The Travel and Transportation Committee wrapped up its committee hearings last week. At this time, we are finalizing our committee priority bills and reviewing the bills that are still in committee.

We heard testimony in the Judiciary Committee this past week on LB73, a bill brought by Senator DeKay. After the passage of LB51 in 2021, which increased continuing education requirements from 20 hours to 32 hours annually, many small rural law enforcement agencies, with limited staffing, faced greater challenges. In these departments, where a sheriff's office may only have 4 or 5 deputies covering vast areas, the increased training requirements are difficult to meet. Law enforcement agencies from District 43 testified in support of LB73, which would reduce the required continuing education hours from 32 back to 20 for officers in counties with populations under 40,000, providing a practical solution for smaller departments.

Floor Action: Next week floor debate is set to begin on LB646, which will provide for exempt feedlots under the Nebraska Livestock Brand Act. I am unable to support LB646. All segments of the industry, specifically the cow-calf industry, were not sufficiently involved in the discussions leading up to the bill’s introduction; in addition, all organizations representing members in the cattle industry opposed the bill. The exemptions proposed in this bill do not account for the complexity of the industry or the need for proper oversight.

Having spent my entire life in the cattle business, I understand the critical importance of livestock inspection as provided under the Nebraska Brand Act and any modifications to that must not only include every segment of the industry but equally important, changes must also include input from the Brand Committee, to ensure the inspection and enforcement system operates effectively. The Committee was not meaningfully involved in the drafting of the bill. As an agency dedicated to safeguarding Nebraska’s cattle industry, the Brand Committee must be a key partner in educating lawmakers on the importance of brand recording, inspections, and enforcement. Brand inspectors are fundamental in a vast array of legal cases, including bankruptcy, divorce, estate settlements, and more, often with cattle being one of the largest assets. The Nebraska Brand Committee verifies ownership, investigates livestock theft, and helps ensure that laws protecting the sale and transfer of cattle are upheld. Nebraska’s #1 cash commodity is cattle, and I will continue to fight for the protection of that industry. You can view the details of LB646 here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59031.

I encourage you to reach out to your Senators with your concerns or any suggestions you have. https://nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_list.php.

The work for District 43 continues, and I’m grateful for your continued support and engagement as we work together toward meaningful progress.

Stay Connected: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TanyaStorerForLegislature; Email: tstorer@leg.ne.gov; Phone: (402) 471-2628 Respectfully, Senator Storer