Judiciary Committee
March 19, 2025
Committee Chair: Sen. Carolyn Bosn | Bills Heard: 4 | Full Transcript (PDF)
LB620: Nebraska Neighborhood Revitalization Act
Introduced by: Sen. Dunixi Guereca | Testimony: 3 proponents, 0 opponents, 1 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Senator Guereca introduces receivership tool to combat blighted properties, modeled after successful Tennessee program. The Nebraska Neighborhood Revitalization Act would allow courts to appoint receivers to repair or demolish properties deemed public nuisances after owners fail to address three structural code violations within 12 months—offering a faster alternative to Nebraska's current five-year tax sale process. Why it matters: Omaha's Municipal Land Bank and Habitat for Humanity say current enforcement tools are too slow, forcing demolition of deteriorating structures before acquisition. Receivership could unlock millions in manufacturer donations and accelerate neighborhood revitalization. What they're saying: Proponents cited Tennessee's success with 75-100 receiverships since 2018, primarily targeting vacant and abandoned properties. But bankers and some senators raised concerns about the receiver's superpriority lien status potentially blocking lenders from recovering their investments. Sen. Hallstrom suggested making the lien subordinate or requiring notice so lenders know competing claims exist. By the numbers: 10 proponent comments, 14 opponent comments, 3 neutral comments submitted for the record. What's next: No vote taken. Senator Guereca committed to ongoing interim discussions with stakeholders—including bankers, city officials, and legal experts—to refine lien priority language before the bill advances.
Committee sentiment: Skeptical: Sen. DeBoer, Sen. Storer, Sen. Hallstrom, Sen. McKinney
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB56: Blood Draw Requirements for Motor Vehicle Fatalities
Introduced by: Sen. Myron Dorn | Testimony: 0 proponents, 1 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Senator Dorn seeks to enforce blood-draw requirement for fatal car crashes, but funeral homes resist citing lack of training and liability fears. Nebraska law mandates blood alcohol testing within four hours of motor vehicle deaths, but Gage County Sheriff's Office reports mortuaries and hospitals have stopped complying. LB56 would require them to do so—but funeral directors say they're not qualified phlebotomists and fear civil lawsuits. Why it matters: The data feeds the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's database on alcohol-related deaths, informing national highway safety policy. But without compliance, Nebraska can't contribute accurate statistics. What they're saying: Dorn noted the statute already protects against liability by prohibiting test results from being used in criminal cases. But funeral director Chris Klingler countered that drawing blood requires incisions through muscle and tissue—not just needle pricks—and could constitute mutilation without explicit permission. He cited a Gage County case where an attorney questioned funeral home qualifications, sparking liability concerns. Sen. Bosn suggested alternatives: law enforcement could draw blood themselves, or the four-hour window could be extended since autopsies rarely happen that quickly anyway. By the numbers: 2 proponent comments, 12 opponent comments, 1 neutral comment submitted. What's next: No vote taken. Senator Dorn committed to interim discussions with morticians, county attorneys, and sheriffs to explore solutions—possibly extending the timeframe or clarifying who performs the test.
Committee sentiment: Skeptical: Sen. Rountree, Sen. Bosn Unclear: Sen. McKinney, Sen. Hallstrom
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB66: Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act
Introduced by: Sen. Wendy DeBoer | Testimony: 0 proponents, 1 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
DeBoer introduces health-care decisions bill but delays push for passage, citing need for broader consensus. The Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act would streamline end-of-life planning by letting individuals appoint agents and provide instructions without court involvement—but the Bar Association and Catholic Conference have concerns about immunity provisions that need resolution. Why it matters: Current Nebraska law creates uncertainty about who can make health care decisions for incapacitated patients, sometimes forcing families into costly guardianship proceedings. Clearer rules would benefit patients, families, and health care providers. What they're saying: DeBoer said the bill is "not quite ready for prime time" and pledged to convene stakeholders over the summer. Bar Association representative Tim Hruza committed to ongoing discussions with the Uniform Law Commission and said lawyers are being engaged. The Catholic Conference opposes the bill as drafted but didn't testify due to weather. By the numbers: 3 proponent comments, 4 opponent comments, 0 neutral comments submitted. What's next: No vote taken. DeBoer explicitly stated she does not intend to move the bill this year, instead prioritizing interim negotiations to align all parties before reintroduction.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. DeBoer
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB545: Menstrual Product Donation Liability Protection
Introduced by: Sen. Victor Rountree | Testimony: 3 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Rountree seeks to unlock millions in tampon donations by shielding manufacturers and nonprofits from liability—but DeBoer presses on toxic shock syndrome risks. LB545 would provide criminal and civil immunity for menstrual product donations, modeled after the 1996 Good Samaritan Food Donation Act. The bill targets a real gap: U by Kotex offered 8 million tampons ($2 million value) only to Tennessee and Maine after they passed similar protections, leaving other states empty-handed. Why it matters: Two in five women can't afford enough period supplies; one in four girls miss school because of it. Manufacturers have excess inventory they'd donate, but tampons are Class II medical devices requiring tracking that period supply banks can't maintain. Access Period alone spent $55,000 buying tampons in 2024 that could have been donated. What they're saying: Proponents emphasized modern tampons have excellent safety records and toxic shock syndrome is "extremely rare." But Sen. DeBoer raised a thorny scenario: if a manufacturer donates tampons knowing of potential defects and the nonprofit doesn't catch them, who's liable? Lowrey countered that she wouldn't expect immunity for gross negligence and that organizations do track products and can notify recipients of recalls. By the numbers: 68 proponent comments, 1 opponent comment, 0 neutral comments submitted—the strongest support of the day. What's next: No vote taken. Rountree committed to working with the Trial Attorney Association over summer to refine language addressing liability concerns while preserving donation incentives.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Rountree Skeptical: Sen. DeBoer, Sen. Storer, Sen. Hallstrom
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
Session Notes
Committee Chair Bosn noted at the outset that LB273 was being skipped at the request of the introducer. Weather significantly impacted testimony, with several proponents and opponents unable to attend. Senator DeBoer noted that many proponents for LB66 would have testified but for weather conditions. Senator Dorn noted that mortuary representatives and law enforcement from Gage County who planned to testify submitted letters instead due to weather. The hearing proceeded efficiently, with the Judiciary Committee completing four bills while the Revenue Committee was still on its first bill.
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