District 37 Senator Stan Clouse speaks in Kearney on Friday, March 7, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — Senator Stan Clouse provided an update on the Nebraska Legislature activity to date during an event hosted by the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Kearney on Friday, March 7.
The event was held at the Younes Conference Center North and Clouse started off his remarks by saying that he does miss being in Kearney and that it will always be home for him.
Clouse represents District 37 and is on the general affairs, natural resources, urban affairs, sales and use tax system and rural broadband tax force committees. This is Clouse’s freshman year as a senator, being elected in 2024.
Clouse has introduced 12 bills this session, and LB167 to change the sunset date for the Nebraska Litter Reduction and Recycling Act and LB30 congratulating the Shelton High School volleyball team on their 2024 state championship have been adopted.
LB180 he introduced, which changes requirements for public lettings and biddings and provides an exception for the Department of Natural Resources under the State Procurement Act, has been delivered to Governor Jim Pillen.
Clouse said to date the legislature has passed 41 bills to date and most of the discussions in the various committees are winding down.
In general affairs, Clouse said a good deal of discussion has surrounded the various bills regarding medical marijuana, after the ballot initiative was passed by voters in 2024.
Clouse opined that no prescription he has ever been issued included smoking a substance and doesn’t believe medical marijuana should be ingested the same way. “If you want to smoke a joint, go to another state,” he said.
He noted the more controversial bills this year regard the designation of Uber or Lyft drivers, how to handle Daylight Savings Time and then LB89 the “Stand With Women Act,” which would prohibit transgender persons from joining female sports teams.
Clouse said the current budget shortfall is $290 million after the latest financial forecasts and the senators are grappling with different solutions on how to balance the budget.
Being his freshman year, Clouse said he asked the Clerk of the Legislature how they felt the session was going to which they gave positive feedback. Clouse said he has been used to how efficiently the City of Kearney was run and has to adjust to the realities in Lincoln.
Clouse noted he spends a good deal of his time educating himself on bills and responding to his constituents in District 37 when not on the floor or in committee discussions.
Senator Stan Clouse speaks with Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce President Derek Rusher in the background, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
