Bills to Watch – 2008 Session

Pro-Life Issues

LB 606 (Stem Cell Research Act):  This bill prohibits the use of state funds to destroy human embryos or create human embryos via the process of human cloning.  LB 606 represents a compromise between pro-life groups and the University of Nebraska on the issue of human cloning.  The pro-life community originally supported LB 700, sponsored by Sen. Mark Christensen, which constituted a complete ban (public and private) on cloning. 

However, the pro-life coalition was willing to accept a public ban because the only lab capable of doing human cloning is at a public institution.  If it appears a private ban is needed, we will take further legislative action.    

LB 951 and LB 1003 (dealing with umbilical cord blood banks):  LB 951 would require the Nebraska Dept. of Health to create information on donating umbilical cord blood.  It will also require physicians to inform pregnant women in their care of options pertaining to donating umbilical cord blood. 

LB 1003 would authorize the University of Nebraska Medical Center to establish a laboratory to conduct research on stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood.  The bill also creates a Commission to produce educational material about stem cell research utilizing umbilical cord blood, as well provide funding for a laboratory to conduct such research.  LB 951 was introduced by Sen. Gail Kopplin, while LB 1003 was introduced by Sen. Rich Pahls.    

LB 157:  Known as the Safe Haven Bill, LB 157 allows a mother to leave a child in the custody of an employee at a licensed hospital without fear of prosecution.  The bill was introduced to address the problem of baby abandonment.  The bill went through several changes before senators agreed to an amendment offered by Omaha Senator Pete Pirsch.  LB 157 was the priority bill of Sen. Arnie Stuthman.    The bill passed on February 7, by a vote of 41-1.

Crime

LB 1063: Offered by Sen. Ernie Chambers, LB 1063 would repeal the death penalty.  Specifically, the bill would abolish the death penalty and substitute it with a sentence of life without parole.

Education

LB 1141: Introduced by Sen. DiAnna Schimek, LB 1141 would mandate that all exempt school students (a majority of whom are homeschooled) to submit to yearly testing, at the expense of the parents.  All first-time homeschool students would also be required to take a “baseline” test to determine their educational level. 

Homeschool students who fail to score above the 50% level would have to attend accredited schools until they show proof of “adequate academic progress.”  For an analysis of the many problems with this bill, please see our Web site. 

 LB 1157:  This bill would make changes to the state’s existing student assessment law (i.e. statewide testing requirements).  The bill would create an advisory committee to advise the Governor and the Legislature’s Education Committee on a uniform, statewide assessment plan.  The law would mandate that statewide assessments be administered at all public schools. 

The statewide testing plan developed by the committee would be implemented beginning in 2009.  LB 1157 would do away with the current system, which bases assessments on locally adopted assessment standards.  The bill was introduced by Sen. Ron Raikes and prioritized by Sen. Greg Adams. 

Health-related issues

LB 809: LB 809 would provide a religious exemption to infant metabolic screening test requirements.  Nebraska is one of only five states which do not have a religious exemption.  These metabolic tests are used to screen for genetic disorders which do not present immediate health-related dangers to the infants. 

 LB 395:  The Legislature passed a statewide smoking ban on February 22, 2008.  Specifically, the bill prohibits smoking at indoor public places.  The bill exempts smoking at: 1) private residences, 2) guest rooms and suites which are designated to allow smoking, 3) areas which are used to study the health effects of smoking, and 4) retail stores selling only tobacco and tobacco-related products. 

LB 395 was prioritized by Senator Joel Johnson from Kearney.  The bill withstood several filibuster attempts by senators who argued the bill interfered with private property rights.  It passed by a margin of 34-14.

Immigration

LB 963:  Introduced by Sen. Mike Friend at the request of the Governor, LB 963 would have barred state agencies and municipalities from giving federal, state or local benefits to individuals not lawfully present in the United States.  The bill would also remove the ability of students not lawfully in the United States to receive in-state tuition.  The Judiciary Committee killed the bill by a vote of 5-1.

Governor Heineman and Attorney General Bruning urged Nebraskans to contact Judiciary Committee members to reconsider their votes.  Some Judiciary Committee members hinted that they may be willing to support a compromise.  At the time of this analysis, no further action has been taken.