Tyson Larson

News and Updates

Legislative Update - Senator Larson Prioritizes LB229

By Administrator, on Mar 14, 2011

As the legislative session nears its halfway point, Senators and the standing committees have designated their priority bills to ensure that they are debated on the floor. The Agriculture Committee has selected LB305, my bill which begins the process of implementing a state meat inspection agency, as one of its priorities. I have selected LB229, introduced by Senator Deb Fischer of Valentine, as my priority bill for this session.

Senator Larson Names LB229 As His Priority Bill For the 2011 Legislative Session

By Administrator, on Mar 11, 2011

This week I prioritized LB229, which transfers funds from the Nebraska Environmental Trust to the Water Resources Cash Fund. As all of you know, water has been called the "issue of the decade." 

The Water Resources Cash Fund was created in 2007 to administer funds for projects relating to reducing consumptive uses of water, enhancing stream flows or ground water recharge, and, under LB229, ensuring compliance with the Ground Water Management and Protection Act. The Water Resources Cash Fund currently receives an annual $2.7 million appropriation from the State’s General Fund.

Legislative Update - Immigration and Death Penalty Hearings Dominate Judiciary Committee Debates

By Administrator, on Mar 7, 2011

The Legislature debated LB22, which would adopt the Mandate Opt-Out and Insurance Coverage Clarification Act. Under LB22, introduced by Senator Beau McCoy of Omaha, Nebraska will not allow health insurance plans that cover abortions to participate in health insurance exchanges. LB22 also seeks to prohibit private health insurance sold in Nebraska from providing coverage for an elective abortion except through an optional rider that is paid for solely by the insured. After much discussion, the bill was advanced to select file.

Legislative Update - Bills That Would Help Knox County (LB253 & LB360) Heard in Revenue Committee

By Administrator, on Feb 28, 2011

The Revenue Committee held a hearing this week on LB253, which I introduced to eliminate the tax credit available to the wind energy generation facility in Knox County. The tax credit, passed by the legislature last year in LB1048, meant that Knox County and other political subdivisions, including the Bloomfield School District, would not be able to collect any taxes on the wind farm for several years because the wind company would be able to credit previously paid taxes towards the current tax due.

Legislative Update - LB305 & LB202 Advance to the Full Legislature for Debate

By Administrator, on Feb 21, 2011

The Agriculture Committee voted to advance LB305, which I introduced and which creates a state meat inspection agency. This issue is very important to the state of Nebraska, and I am pleased that the bill will soon be debated on the floor of the Legislature.