Judiciary Committee

May 22, 2025

Committee Chair: Sen. Bosn | Bills Heard: 1 | Full Transcript (PDF)

AM1422 to LB150: Delay implementation of Veterans Justice Program to July 1, 2027

Introduced by: Sen. Clements | Testimony: 1 proponents, 0 opponents, 1 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)

Nebraska's Veterans Justice Program faces a two-year delay due to lack of funding. AM1422 postpones implementation of the program from July 2025 to July 2027, giving the Supreme Court time to develop a more efficient rollout plan across all 93 counties.

Why it matters: The program, created under LB253 last year, was designed to provide treatment-court alternatives for veterans with serious offenses including drug distribution, arson, and domestic violence. Without the $9 million appropriation requested by the judicial branch, the program cannot launch with the necessary support services and community safety protections.

What they're saying: - Dan Zieg, County Attorneys Association: "Without that funding, we just don't see how this program can start... we don't know how this program will keep the community safe if there are some very serious offenses that are eligible." - Gene Cotter, State Probation Administrator: "With no General Fund appropriation for LB253, the judicial branch cannot implement the Veterans Justice Program as prescribed by law." - Sen. DeBoer: "Do we have any indication that we should really believe that they won't just keep pushing the date out?"

By the numbers: The Supreme Court requested $4.5 million for the first year and another $4.5 million for the second year—$9 million total over the biennium—but received no appropriation in the current budget.

What's next: No vote was taken. The hearing concluded without committee action on the amendment.

Committee sentiment:   Supportive: Sen. Hallstrom   Skeptical: Sen. DeBoer, Sen. Rountree

Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.

Session Notes

Committee Chair Bosn opened the hearing with procedural instructions for testifiers. Committee members present: Sen. Hallstrom (District 1), Sen. Storer (District 43), Sen. Holdcroft (District 36), Sen. DeBoer (District 10), and Sen. Rountree (District 3). Legal counsel Tim Young and committee clerk Laurie Vollertsen assisted. Pages Wesley Earhart and Heather Lange were present. Sen. Clements provided an opening statement referencing testimony from Corey Steele at the Appropriations Committee hearing on March 19, 2025. No vote was taken on AM1422.

Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.