The first couple weeks of the 2021 Unicameral Legislature saw an uptick in activity as senators finalized bill introduction and committee hearings began. As of Jan. 25, more than 500 bills have been introduced and counting — all during the first 12 days of the session.
Each of these bills will be routed to one of 14 standing committees and receive a public hearing where stakeholders will testify as proponents, opponents or in a neutral capacity. Public hearings are an extremely important part of the work we do in the Legislature. Without input from our constituents, we will not have all of the information necessary to make the best decisions possible for our state. I encourage you to track bills of interest and to testify at the public hearings. If you need information about how or when to do so, please contact my staff using the information at the end of this column.
When not debating rules of the session on the floor or in committee hearings, my schedule was full of meetings with constituents, government officials, and other individuals who will be resources as I represent everyone in District 16. I will continue to serve on the Health and Human Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee.
I am also pleased to announce I am the new chairman of the Business and Labor Committee. This is a tremendous responsibility to head up the issues surrounding labor rights and advancing the cause of business rights and free market values all across Nebraska. On this committee, I’ll be able to ensure the state abides by sound policy implementation standards and the fiscal responsibility Nebraskans deserve because I believe one of my primary duties as your representative is to be a good steward of taxpayer money.
As I look ahead, I’ll continue preparation for the public hearings of the 11 bills that I have introduced. The bills are of particular importance and I believe best reflect important issues that the voters of District 16 care about. The bills that have thus far gone to committee hearings this week are Legislative Bills 296 and 437. Both of these bills have gone to the Health and Human Services Committee, where I testified in support of both of them. In the coming weeks, I will be updating you of important bills that not only affect our district, but all of Nebraska.
I have hired two new staffers, Benson Wallace, who will serve as my legal counsel while I will be chairing the Business and Labor Committee, and Christopher Prosch, who will serve as my new legislative aid.
You’re welcome to contact our office at 402-471-2728 to speak with my Administrative Assistant Ellie Stangl or my Legislative Aide Christopher Prosch. You can also email me at bhansen@leg.ne.gov. To follow along with the session please visit nebraskalegislature.gov or you may watch the live stream when available at netnebraska.org
