Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee
March 6, 2025
Committee Chair: Sen. Rita Sanders | Bills Heard: 3 | Full Transcript (PDF)
LB696: Professional Landscape Architects Act - Uniform Licensure Standards
Introduced by: Sen. Jane Raybould | Testimony: 3 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska aligns landscape architect licensing with national standards, reducing barriers for out-of-state professionals. LB696 updates the Professional Landscape Architects Act to adopt 2022 Council of Landscape Architect Registration Boards (CLARB) uniform standards, reducing experience requirements from 3-15 years to an 8-year combined education/experience model.
Why it matters: The change removes red tape for the 64% of Nebraska's 173 licensed landscape architects who live out-of-state, making it easier to transfer licenses between states and provinces. It also eliminates outdated requirements like yearly roster filings with the Secretary of State.
What they're saying: - Jennifer Seacrest, board chairperson: "The new standard allows for improved mobility between jurisdictions and removes existing barriers." - Dennis Bryers, former CLARB president: Seven jurisdictions have adopted the standard with 18 more in process, including neighboring states. - Sen. John Cavanaugh raised a technical concern: the bill defines "direct supervision" but the term doesn't appear to be used in the statute itself.
By the numbers: Currently 173 licensed landscape architects in Nebraska; 62 in-state, 111 out-of-state. Experience requirement drops from 3-15 years to 8 years combined.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Raybould waived closing. Position comments: 5 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Dave Wordekemper, Sen. Bob Andersen Skeptical: Sen. John Cavanaugh
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB414: Suicide Mortality Review Team - Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs
Introduced by: Sen. George Dungan | Testimony: 1 proponents, 1 opponents, 1 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska establishes suicide mortality review team within Veterans Affairs to coordinate data collection and prevention strategies across state agencies. LB414 creates a multidisciplinary team housed in the Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs to analyze suicide deaths, identify patterns, and develop protocols for law enforcement, prosecutors, and health care providers.
Why it matters: The team addresses fragmented data collection across counties and state agencies, creating a centralized hub to understand the true scope of suicide in Nebraska—particularly among veterans. It supports Governor Pillen's commitment to the national Governor's Challenge to prevent veteran suicide, with 54 states and territories participating.
What they're saying: - Sen. Dungan: "Gathering this information is the first step...until we know the breadth of the problem, it's very difficult to address it." - Jenifer Acierno, NDVA legal counsel: The team will de-identify data and analyze existing sources, with no new positions required. - Sen. Andersen (21-year veteran): Urged adding military appointees and exploring predictive analytics to identify high-risk individuals before crisis.
By the numbers: Approximately 22 veteran suicides occur daily nationally. NDVA received federal grant funding through SAMHSA and U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs. Pending amendment eliminates $94,000 fiscal note by using existing positions.
What's next: No vote taken. Pending amendments expected next week. Sen. Dungan intends to request Speaker priority. Position comments: 7 proponents, 1 opponent, 1 neutral.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Bob Andersen, Sen. Dan Lonowski
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB434: State Fire Marshal's Office - Fee Updates
Introduced by: Sen. Dave Wordekemper | Testimony: 1 proponents, 1 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
State Fire Marshal seeks first fee increase in decades, raising plan review costs from $500 to $10,000 for major projects. LB434 updates fees that have remained unchanged for 20-30 years, with the largest increase applying to plan reviews for construction projects exceeding $2.8 million. The bill is projected to generate $1.9 million in additional revenue for the Fire Marshal's cash fund.
Why it matters: The State Fire Marshal's Office provides essential public safety services—inspections of hospitals, daycares, nursing homes, and fire alarm/sprinkler systems—but fees haven't kept pace with inflation or actual costs. The increases help offset General Fund appropriations, though even with the hikes, fees won't fully cover service costs.
What they're saying: - Interim Fire Marshal Doug Hohbein: "The fee for a public fireworks display is currently $10 and has not been changed since 1986, almost 40 years." - Korby Gilbertson, builders' lobbyist: Cited UNO study showing 32% of Omaha new construction costs go to government regulations (vs. 21.5% nationally), raising affordability concerns. - Sen. Wordekemper: "These fees do not apply to single-family dwellings, duplexes, or anything like that."
By the numbers: Plan review fee increases from $500 to $10,000 (projects $2.8M+); hospital inspection fee from $150 to $300; public fireworks display from $10 to $20. Projected $1.9 million annual revenue increase.
What's next: No vote taken. Position comments: 0 proponents, 4 opponents, 1 neutral. Constitutional concern raised about penalties going to permanent school fund rather than Fire Marshal's Office.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Dunixi Guereca Skeptical: Sen. Bob Andersen Unclear: Sen. John Cavanaugh, Sen. Dan Lonowski
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
Session Notes
Committee Chair Rita Sanders (District 45, Bellevue) presided. Vice Chair Bob Andersen (District 49). Committee members present: Sen. Dunixi Guereca (District 7), Sen. John Cavanaugh (District 9), Sen. Dan Lonowski (District 33), Sen. Dave Wordekemper (District 15). Legal counsel Dick Clark and committee clerk Julie Condon assisted. Pages: Ruby Kinzie and Arnav Rishi (both third-year political science majors at UNL). Three bills heard: LB696, LB414, and LB434. No votes were taken on any bills during this hearing.
Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.