Committee hearings on bills began last week, and Appleseed testified on several bills of interest. We will be testifying on more of our priority bills this week during the first full week of committee hearings.
Hearing on Wellness In Nebraska bill Wednesday
LB 887 – The “Wellness In Nebraska Act” (WIN) would provide health insurance to at least 54,000 Nebraskans. WIN utilizes private market insurance for coverage as well as existing programs and would bring billions of dollars back to our state. The bill will be heard by the Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday, and Appleseed will testify in support.
We invite you to contact the members of the HHS Committee and urge them to move LB 887 to the floor.
HHS Committee Members
Appleseed testifies in support of Bridge To Independence bill
LB 853 – Appleseed testified in support of this bill to implement stakeholder recommendations and strengthen the implementation of the Bridge to Independence program for young people formerly in foster care in front of the HHS Committee on January 22.
Bill to strengthen ICWA set for Wednesday hearing
LB 928 – This bill introduced by Senator Colby Coash and the State-Tribal Relations Committee adds much-needed clarity to Nebraska’s ICWA statute and will help the state better serve Native children and families in our child welfare system. It will be heard by the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Appleseed will testify in support.
Other bills of interest
LB 662 – A bill that would require voters to show a photo identification with a current address in order to register to vote if they have moved since the previous election. Appleseed is concerned this bill could potentially disenfranchise about 100,000 voters in Nebraska and opposed the bill in front of the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee on January 23.
LB 718 and LB 719 – A package of bills introduced by Sen. Sue Crawford that change the state’s Administrative Procedures Act to improve transparency in the rulemaking process. Appleseed testified in support of these bills in front of the Executive Board on January 24.
Stay up to date on Appleseed’s issues
You can keep up with all the exciting happenings at the Legislature by following Appleseed online. Like our Facebook page and follow issues and legislative hearings in real-time on Appleseed’s Twitter feed.
Plus, stop by our Appleseed Blog for opinion pieces, informative updates, and news stories, and visit our Vimeo page for videos of what we’re working on throughout 2014.
We will keep you updated on the latest bill introductions, hearings, and floor debate. And, we’ll let you know how you can take action to get involved and make your voice heard throughout the session!