812 bills introduced to Nebraska Unicameral

Pet insurance, student discipline, and medical marijuana

The Nebraska Legislature’s 2023 session started on January 4, 2023. The bill introduction period lasted until Wednesday, January 18, during which 814 bills were introduced. This falls short of the record 885 bills introduced in 1997. 

Senator Dave Murman introduced Legislative Bill (LB) 811 which would revise the Student Discipline Act to allow educators the “use of physical contact or physical restraint or removal from a class in response to student behavior.” The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Nebraska responded with the following statement: “The answer is more funding, resources and training for our hardworking educators — not opening the door for school staff to use more physical force on students.  We will oppose this bill every step of the way and will advocate alongside parents, guardians and teachers to protect students’ rights.” The statement also raised concerns for how the bill would affect Black, indigenous, and disabled students who already experience disproportionate discipline and removal from class in educational settings.

Lincoln Senator Beau Ballard introduced LB 296, or the Pet Insurance Act. The bill would create a legal framework for the policies and consumer protections related to pet insurance. The consumer protections will include necessary disclosures on waiting periods, benefit schedules, the impact of preexisting conditions, and what services are excluded in the coverage. According to The North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA), the pet insurance sector is rapidly growing and exceeded $2.83 billion USD in 2021, making this bill a relevant inclusion to Nebraska legislation.

 LB 764, introduced by Senator Loren Lippincott, would return Nebraska to the “winner-take-all” method of awarding electoral votes during presidential elections. Nebraska and Maine are the only states that do not follow this system, instead awarding electoral votes based on congressional district. Proposals like LB 764 have failed in past legislative sessions.

Another attempt at legalizing marijuana for medicinal use comes in the form of LB 588, the “Medical Cannabis Act,” introduced by Senator Anna Wishart of Lincoln.

Senator John Cavanaugh of Omaha introduced the Automatic Renewal Limitation Act (LB 132), which is intended as a consumer protection measure. The bill would require clear and conspicuous renewal terms for businesses that offer automatic renewal or continuous services. The bill also would require businesses that allow for consumers to accept automatic renewal/continuous services online to also provide the ability for the consumers to terminate the service online without engaging steps that “obstruct or delay” the consumers ability to terminate. This bill will include services such as streaming platforms and magazines, but would likely have larger impacts on newspapers and gym memberships, which are notoriously difficult to cancel.

By: Aubrey Benton