LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – Nebraska state senators wrapped up their first week of the second session on Friday, filing dozens more pieces of legislation.

Lawmakers have 10 days to file all bills for consideration during the session. On Day 3, several senators filed 44 items into the record.

Among the bills introduced Friday was LB934, submitted by Omaha Sen. John Cavanaugh, proposing changes to how the state’s Medical Cannabis Commission is selected; the bill suggests they would each served four-year terms. If passed, those commissioners would be elected by Nebraska voters.

Under present law, the commission is made up of five members, all directly or indirectly appointed by the governor. This change would make commissioners directly accountable to voters with less influence from the governor.

Medical cannabis advocates have grown increasingly frustrated with the commission in recent months, especially as the start of the state’s program — overwhelmingly approved by Nebraska voters last year — still seems a ways off.

Late last year, the commission introduced a restrictive set of rules on how the state’s medical cannabis system will operate. Sen. Cavanaugh filed a complaint to the unicameral’s Executive Board challenging those regulations.

Under the rules smoking or vaping cannabis is illegal. Consumption would be restricted to pills and creams, which some advocates say directly contradicts the will of voters, who overwhelmingly approved medical cannabis in 2024.

Adding to the frustration for many is that the start of the state’s program still seems a ways off. To date the commission has only awarded two of four licenses to grow cannabis in the state. Meanwhile, the Omaha Tribe moved forward last year with its plans for medical cannabis, prompting a stern warning to Nebraskans from Attorney General Mike Hilgers not to obtain medical marijuana from the tribe.

Also on the list of bills submitted on Friday:

• Ralston Sen. Merv Riepe and Adams Sen. Myron Dorn submitted LB942, LB944, LB945, and LB946 — a Medicaid bills package that would, among other things, streamline reimbursements to facilities for hospice and assisted-living care.
• LB937, filed by the Education Committee, aims to address reading deficiences as well as teacher recruitment and retention.
• LB940, filed by Glenvil Sen. Dave Murman, would ban some color additives in foods served in school lunches.
• LB943, also filed by Dorn, would give auto racing facilities immunity from nuisance claims.
• LB914, submitted by Gering Sen. Brian Hardin, would prevent doctors from being liable for the actions of their physician assistants. He also filed LB913, which would require DHHS to appoint a dementia services coordinator; and LB910, which would require those convicted of sexual offenses against children to pay a fee for any electronic devices seized during prosecution.
• LB916, submitted by Pender Sen. Glen Meyer, would implement requirements for approving carbon dioxide pipelines and change how eminent domain provisions are executed for those pipelines.
• LB927, proposed by Omaha Sen. Bob Andersen, would ban foreign nationals from being involved in ballot initiatives.

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Assistant News Director Katherine Bjoraas contributed to this report.

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