Latest news with #LB140
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nebraska Legislature: Personal devices, lab grown meat bans heading to governor's desk
LINCOLN, Neb. (KCAU) — Wednesday was a big day for Nebraska legislature. The fate of many bills were determined in the third and final round of voting. State senators voted 48 to 1 on LB 140 with an emergency clause, which means the measure will take effect immediately if the governor chooses to sign the bill. The bill would ban students from using their personal electronic devices, such as cell phones, on school grounds or while at school instructional functions like a field trip. The measure would allow cell phone use in situations such as cases of emergency or authorized for educational purposes. Story continues below Top Story: Unofficial results: Voters say 'no' to South Sioux City school bond Lights & Sirens: Sioux City firefighter taken to hospital following Mayday call during Morningside fire Sports: #7 South Sioux City boys soccer upsets #2 Millard North 2-1 in NSAA Class A State Quarterfinals Another bill that passed in the third round of voting was LB 246, the lab grown meat ban. The measure passed on a vote of 38 to 11. The bill now goes to Governor Pillen's desk, where he will decide whether or not to sign the legislation into law. It bans the production, import, distribution, or sale of any cultivated-protein food in Nebraska if it's made with animal cells. The bill does not prohibit alternative-meat products that are made from plants. A bill that failed to get pass the final round of voting is LB 258 on a vote of 31 to 17 with one person not voting. The measure would have change provisions in relation to the minimum wage under the wage and hour act. The legislation would have created a youth minimum wage and increase Nebraska's training wage along with setting a cap on the annual increases on minimum wage. Right now, the minimum wage in Nebraska is $13.50 per hour. Next year, the wage will increase to $15 an hour. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nebraska social media limits, lab-grown meat ban, domestic abuse survivor help, 28 more bills pass
A trio of legislative bills passed just hours before the end of the 2024 summer special session related to property taxes are prepared to be ceremoniously signed by Gov. Jim Pillen. Aug. 20, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — Nebraska state senators sent 31 bills Wednesday to the governor for his approval, including measures requiring age verification to use social media, banning lab-grown meat, helping domestic violence survivors and outlawing the use of credit card skimmers. The bills that passed included Legislative Bill 383, from State Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman, requiring that, starting in July 2026, anyone wishing to create a social media account in Nebraska must prove they are 18 years old or older. Younger users would need parental permission. A parent would also need to prove they are 18 years old or older. LB 383 also includes the provisions of LB 172, from State Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering, outlawing using artificial intelligence or computer generation to create pornographic images or videos depicting someone younger than 18 years old, or knowingly and intentionally receiving such content. Both measures were priorities of Gov. Jim Pillen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers, as was LB 140 from State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue. LB 140 would require all of Nebraska's 245 school districts to prohibit student use of cellphones and other personal electronic communication devices during most parts of the school day beginning this fall. School districts would retain wide latitude in implementing such a policy. Most already have one. LB 383 passed 46-3. LB 140 passed 48-1. Lawmakers also approved LB 246, from State Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara at Pillen's request, to ban the sale of lab-grown meat. Some lawmakers, including conservative State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, as well as the Nebraska Farm Bureau, preferred to label rather than ban the products, which aren't currently available in Nebraska markets. LB 246 passed 38-11 and would take effect three months after lawmakers adjourn. The last day is scheduled for June 9. Lawmakers also advanced housing supports for survivors of domestic violence and sex trafficking through LB 78, from State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln. It would increase the documentary stamp tax by 7 cents per $1,000 worth of property, which is on the transfer of real estate, a portion of which the state uses for affordable housing or homeless shelter assistance. All new revenue would be directed to the new housing assistance. It passed 49-0 and would take effect three months after adjournment. Senators also passed LB 559, from State Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, chair of the Legislature's Judiciary Committee, to outlaw unauthorized skimming devices and 'kingpins' who use them, such as on ATMs, point-of-sale systems or fuel pumps. It passed 43-6. The bill included LB 464, also from Bosn, a former prosecutor, to outlaw 'organized retail crime,' a step up from strings of shoplifting depending on the value of merchandise stolen. Other bills that passed on Wednesday include: LB 32, from State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, to allow candidates to use a post office box instead of a street address on political advertisements. A street address would still need to be on file with state officials. Passed 47-2. LB 36, from State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, to establish the 'Safe Battery Collection and Recycling Act' to collect and safely dispose of certain batteries, increase fees on Nebraska Game and Parks Commission park entry permits and expand allowable water recreation projects. Passed 43-6. LB 80, from State Sen. Bob Hallstrom of Syracuse, would consolidate laws related to protection orders, extend ordered protection orders and renewals to two years instead of one, require child abuse involving a military family to be reported to the service member's military installation and require landlords to change locks or remove a perpetrator of domestic violence from a rental agreement soon after abuse is documented and a protective or restraining order has been granted. Passed 46-3. LB 133, from State Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, to expand the definition of 'law enforcement officer' to include animal control officers to enforce state or local animal control laws if authorized by a city, village or county. Passed 42-7. LB 166, from State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, to require county treasurers to conceal the addresses of law enforcement, members of the Nebraska National Guard or judges if such a person applies to have their address withheld, which is currently the law for county assessors. Addresses for judges would also be concealed when they are up for retention elections. Passed 48-1. LB 230, also from Hallstrom, to restrict and regulate the sale of kratom to those 21 years of age or older, classify tianeptine ('gas station heroin') as a Schedule II controlled substance and prohibit the sale of nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Passed 49-0. LB 257, from State Sen. Dan Quick of Grand Island, creates a pathway for marriage and family therapists from other states to be licensed in Nebraska and increases the minimum liability coverage needed for child care licensing. Passed 46-3. LB 287, from State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha, to give additional authority to cities of the metropolitan class (Omaha) to crack down on bed bug infestations and regulate housing authorities within metropolitan cities for pest control, regular inspections, property registrations, penalties or requiring updates to the city council. Passed 34-15. LB 332, from State Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering, to create assistant funeral directors, permit pharmacists to dispense emergency refills in certain circumstances and require Medicaid coverage for psychology services provided by qualifying advanced-level practitioners supervised by a licensed psychologist. Passed 49-0. LB 364, also from Quick, would allow the Legislature's Executive Board, when the Legislature is not in session, to approve an 'indication of intent' from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to move land into the state park system. Passed 46-3. LB 526, from State Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte, to allow a public power supplier to pass on costs to or require additional terms and conditions of cryptocurrency mining operations, including if the operation necessitates infrastructure upgrades. Passed 49-0. LB 561, also from Brandt, would create a special permit for overweight vehicles carrying raw milk up to 107,500 pounds. The Nebraska Department of Transportation would need to create a list of bridges that would and would not support the weight. Passed 49-0. LB 660, from State Sen. Bob Andersen of north-central Sarpy County, would require state agencies to regularly review regulations and repeal unnecessary rules, mandate an updated inventory of federal funds the state relies on along with contingency plans in the event of reductions in federal support and permit legal challenges against rules or regulations in local district courts rather than only in Lancaster County. Passed 49-0. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen's cell phone ban in schools advances
LINCOLN, Neb. (Nebraska Examiner) — One of Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen's priorities advanced to the second round of debate with a vote on Monday, as a statewide cell phone ban in schools inched closer to becoming law, the Nebraska Examiner reports. The bill would ban student use of personal electronic devices, such as cellphones, on school grounds or while attending a 'school instructional function,' such as field trips. But it would leave school districts wide latitude in approving student cellphone use, including some exceptions. Iowa STEM teachers and programs honored at State Capitol Senators advanced Legislative Bill 140 Monday with bipartisan support, 44-0, with five lawmakers not voting or excused. The proposed law moved out of the Education Committee 7-0, with one member absent. Pillen said during its public hearing last month that the bill focuses on student mental health and that he should have pushed the legislation earlier in his term as governor. 'The evidence, in my view, is crystal clear: Our kids are being harmed by their constant exposure to these things,' Pillen said at the time. Several other states have pushed for similar legislation on students' cell phones with similar bipartisan support, but some experts warn that these types of restrictions could be outdated or challenging for classroom teachers and schools to enforce. State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha echoed similar concerns. 'Most schools already have these policies, which are good,' McKinney said on the floor. 'The only thing I think about is how these school districts will enforce this.' McKinney added that there might be an uptick in classroom discipline issues because kids will be kids. During the same hearing at which Pillen testified, State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha voiced caution about whether students could quickly access phones in emergencies, such as during school shootings. The bill addresses such concerns with exceptions. LB 140 would allow students to use cellphones at school in the following circumstances: If needed as part of a student's special education plan. When authorized by a school district for educational purposes during instructional time. In cases of emergency or 'perceived threat of danger.' When necessary to monitor or manage a student's health care. When otherwise determined appropriate by the school board or otherwise allowed by an appropriate school employee. Should the bill pass, all of Nebraska's 245 school districts would have to adopt device-related policies to conform to the law by the start of the 2025-26 school year. The bill doesn't apply to private schools. Enforcement and possible disciplinary action for violating the guidelines, if any, would be left up to individual school districts 'It's time to prioritize student success by eliminating unnecessary distractions,' said State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, the sponsor of LB 140. East High hosting 32nd annual 'Sing All About It!' show choir invitational In a possible hint of tension within the Legislature, State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha used her time to speak during the debate as a 'shot across the bow' because the Nebraska Legislature has shown her that it's 'going to screw over the poorest people in the state for just pettiness.' 'I'm going to make this body fight like hell for the things that don't benefit low-income people,' Cavanaugh said. 'You're going to have to fight like hell for it, not this bill, even though it had some opposition, I'm not opposed to it.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Phone silence — with conditions — can enhance learning
The Nebraska Legislature is considering a cell phone ban bill backed by Gov. Jim Pillen. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) Even though it may be late to the party, the Nebraska Legislature is making the right call by advancing a bill banning student cellphone use at school. A number of school districts already curtail students' phone time on campus. If passed, Legislative Bill 140 would require Nebraska's 245 public school districts to get on the 'ban wagon' by adopting policies that would be within the scope of the law while preserving a district's prerogative to shape its own local details. LB 140 was introduced by Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen. Aside from the mind-numbing, time-wasting game of whack-a-mole teachers play patrolling their classrooms for cellphone use, the research about screen time's effect on students' minds and academic performance is clear and emerging. One study published in the 'Journal of Experimental Psychology' also identified cellphones as negatively impacting social development among middle and high school students. In his book 'Stolen Focus,' Johann Hari cites research that indicates today's young people have far less concentration power than previous generations. And, as the title of his book suggests, their focus was 'stolen' from them through a combination of devices, algorithms and marketing. Some of these studies reported that the average college student spends at most about 65 seconds on a task before needing to refocus. Refinding your place or your thought or even your bearings after an interruption — what Hari calls the 'switch cost effect' — can be debilitating. We increase our mistakes, decrease our creativity and poke holes in our mind's ability to retain. He cites studies, which reveal that once our focus is interrupted — via classmate, text message, TikTok video, whatever — we need 23 minutes to reach the level of concentration before the interruption. While LB 140 is rightly aimed at our youngest minds, adults are neither immune nor invulnerable to cell phone disruption. Hari, whose book was highlighted in this space several years ago, said the average office worker's continuous concentration tops out at three minutes, and the average Fortune 500 CEO gets about 28 minutes of uninterrupted focus a day. The data is clear: Banning cellphones in schools has science on its side. Plus, perhaps the art of face-to-face conversation, on life support in many of modern society's precincts, may live to tell the tale. A principal, in one of the state's largest high schools, in its second year of students checking in their cellphones before the first bell and picking them up after school, told me that the strangest thing was happening, especially at lunch. Students were talking to each other. Before we give LB 140 the checkered flag though, let's tap the brakes a little. I love my cellphone with the fervor of a high school student. In my pocket I have a computer, a camera for stills or video, a jukebox, an editing studio, a small theater, a word processor, an interpersonal and professional communications hub, an encyclopedic information retrieval center, a personal valet who can order coffee, find a weather forecast and write a 500-word essay on the symbolism in 'MacBeth,' and, remarkably, answer seemingly any question my life poses. Shutting down such a universally-useful device for hours on end should come with solid rationale and certain conditions. For starters, young people have an innate and perhaps outsized sense of hypocrisy. As we develop policies that reduce phone use in school, the adults who maintain these guidelines would do well to model the same behavior. Leveling up on Candy Crush Saga while you monitor study hall would be a poor play. Let's also remember that many parents get a sense of security knowing their children have phones they can use in case of an emergency. Sadly, we live in a world of active shooters and other distempers with which schools are faced. If LB 140 becomes state law, in addition to determining when and where students can use their phones on campus, districts would do well to have an unambiguous plan that underscores student safety and defines clear lines of communication in emergencies. The bill itself contemplates exceptions for emergencies. I occasionally play 'There oughtta be a law.' Perhaps you do, too. Here's one: A cellphone conversation in a restaurant loud enough for the entire section to hear not only steals my focus, it can ruin a nice meal. And, if that law oughtta be, let's double the fine for using the speaker setting. Too much? Not the Legislature's lane? Sure. But being on the proper side of the fight for our children's focus, concentration and, in a very real sense, their futures, is just right. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
