108th Unicam update: Day 5 bills propose restructuring Nebraska health department, tax credits for rail, workforce projects

LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – State senators filed 30 pieces of legislation on Tuesday.

Here’s a quick look at which senators submitted bills on Day 5:

Below is a look at a few bills that caught our attention on Tuesday:

State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont wants to eliminate the eliminate the Department of Health and Human Services and create three departments instead: the Department of Children and Family Services to oversee protections and child welfare services; the Department of Public Health to administrate community health programs and services; and the Department of Healthcare to oversee hospitals and other behavioral services for those with mental illness.

State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln wants to compel school districts to meet specified student-teacher ratios for certain classrooms, particularly special education.

State Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner wants to provide tax credits for shortline railroad projects.

State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington wants to exempt those younger than age 19 from having to pay certain court costs and fees; and change some aspects of the state juvenile code regarding pretrial diversion programs, appointed counsel, and guardians. State Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue also proposed adjusting how juvenile court districts are created and administered.

State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln wants to restrict insurance coverage of epinephrine injectors and inhalers. He also wants to adjust the eligibility requirements outlined in the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act.

State Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams wants to revise state biodiesel tax credits and require that gas stations provide E-15 fuel at half of all pumps.

State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil wants to adopt the Online Age Verification Liability Act, deliniating requirements and restrictions for online businesses regarding material that is harmful to minors.

State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha proposed designating funds to the Department of Labor to provide $2 million in grants for to expand facilities that focus on workforce development and career readiness.

SESSION AT A GLANCE

6 News has been tracking the topics of the bills being filed — and who’s been filing — since the start of the 108th Legislature’s second session. The interactive graphics below will give you a quick glimpse of the most popular words showing up in the bill summaries to date, and give you a sense of who’s been the most active filer so far.

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