| Week eight in the Nebraska legislature marked more all-day hearings and for many senators, staff and lobbyists this new schedule has taken its toll. The days are long leaving no time to prepare for the next day's hearings before they are here. Without morning floor debate, senators don't have the opportunity “to work their bill" with committee members before introducing it to them and veteran senators have found it difficult to develop relationships with new senators unless they serve on the same committee. And without being in the rotunda every day, we as lobbyists are getting creative communicate our message to senators. Despite the challenges, everyone is committed to making it through the session safely and without any interruptions. Speaker Hilgers, who is serving his first year in that role, is doing a great job managing through unusual circumstances. The majority of committees will finish up hearings next week (of March 1). In addition, on Tuesday morning there will be floor debate on bills that are on General File (first round) or Select File (second round) without amendments. The two Department of Insurance bills - LB 21 and LB 22 - have advanced from the first to second round of debate and are poised for passage. LB 106, which assesses a new fee for obtaining drivers' records, has also advanced after some debate on the appropriations bill and the need for a new fee. On March 1, the Business and Labor Committee will hear testimony on LB 441, the proposal from the former chair which places the burden on the employer to prove the employee got COVID from someplace other than the workplace for purposes of workers' compensation. IIAN will join the State Chamber and others in opposition testimony.Despite the many unusual aspects of this session, we are over 1/3 of the way done and coming to the end of committee hearings – a milestone in any session. Senators will return on Monday for day 35 of 90. Monday is a check in day only, no debate. Hearing schedule for next week and all introduced legislation.
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