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Nebraska lawmaker proposes stronger protections for consumer genetic testing
LINCOLN — Nebraskans would have greater control of their genetic information used in testing services such as 23andMe and Ancestry through a legislative proposal. Legislative Bill 308, proposed by State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, would create the Genetic Information Privacy Act. The bill would add consumer protections for Nebraskans, addressing how companies collect, analyze, […]
Letter signed by 1,500 people urges Children’s Hospital to oppose proposed gender care ban
Editor’s note: This report has been updated to include comment from Children’s Hospital. More than 1,500 people as of Monday signed onto a letter urging the Omaha Children’s Hospital and Medical Center board of directors to oppose legislation that would ban gender-affirming health care for minors in Nebraska. The bill would also ban medical providers […]
Nebraska lawmaker revives attempt to support, streamline permits for food trucks
LINCOLN — A proposal in the Nebraska Legislature would cut red tape for food truck owners who face what State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha said is a “patchwork of regulations.” Legislative Bill 740 by Vargas would require the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to maintain a list of areas that have food truck ordinances and establish […]
Most Nebraska legislative races in 2022 exceed $100,000 in spending
Spending six figures could be a new norm for running for the Nebraska Legislature. At least one candidate in 19 of the 25 races for the Nebraska Legislature in 2022 exceeded six figures in expenditures by the general election. In nine of those races, both general election candidates spent more than $100,000. Together, these candidates […]
Nebraska lawmaker revives legislation to help Earnest Jackson, others get a retrial
LINCOLN — A revived legislative proposal would allow convicted defendants — including an Omaha man convicted for a 1999 killing — to file a motion for a retrial based on newly discovered evidence. Legislative Bill 18, proposed by State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha — a measure similar to one Wayne introduced two years ago — is the […]
Nebraska lawmaker proposes creation of ‘Human Breast Milk Bank’
LINCOLN — Nebraskans would have access to a human breast milk bank, designed to assist mostly premature and ill babies, through a proposal in the Legislature. State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue introduced Legislative Bill 12, which would create the Nebraska Human Breast Milk Bank and authorize the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to […]
Nebraska rural health care roadmap aims to bolster, strength rural health
LINCOLN — A joint collaboration between the Nebraska Hospital Association and Nebraska Rural Health Association announced a roadmap Monday aimed to improve rural health care. Jeremy Nordquist, president of the hospital association, and Jed Hansen, executive director of the rural health association, announced the “Roadmap to Strong Rural Health Care” along with three medical center CEOs from […]
Nebraska lawmakers propose disability, racial impact statements for certain legislation
LINCOLN — Most legislation in the Nebraska Legislature includes a fiscal impact statement, a process two lawmakers encouraged the body’s Executive Board on Friday to expand to disability and racial impact statements for certain legislation. Legislative Bill 39 and Legislative Bill 54, introduced by State Sens. Carol Blood of Bellevue and Terrell McKinney of Omaha, respectively, […]
Nebraska lawmakers, health care organizations praise, criticize Pillen’s State of the State
LINCOLN — State senators, nonprofits and local organizations expressed glee but caution Wednesday with Gov. Jim Pillen’s outlined priorities in his State of the State address. Much of Pillen’s address expanded upon his budget recommendations, which have been introduced in legislation by Speaker John Arch of La Vista and offered a vision for Nebraska’s trajectory. State […]
Nebraska state senator proposes legal framework for pet insurance
LINCOLN — Insurers would have a clearer framework for creating pet insurance policies in the state through a proposal in the Nebraska Legislature. State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln introduced Legislative Bill 296, the Pet Insurance Act, which would establish a legal framework for the policies and consumer protections for the growing industry. The North […]
Nebraska lawmaker proposes mandated notices before automatic subscription renewals
LINCOLN — With the rise of online subscriptions including newspapers, streaming platforms and magazines, many services are now offering automatic renewals. Such arrangements allow consumers to enter an agreement where their subscription kicks in monthly or annually, but sometimes consumers forget to cancel, or the process to do is burdensome. State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha […]
Nebraska Environmental Trust awards $11.3 million in grants, hopes reforms reduce confusion
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with examples of the grants that were approved. LINCOLN — Months of criticisms against the Nebraska Environmental Trust for its grant decisions fizzled out Tuesday as the board approved $11.3 million for 23 projects. Of the 81 “legitimate” grant applications the Trust received by its September deadline, 47 applications […]