BEATRICE – The start of the next Nebraska Legislative session is still three months away, but two southeast Nebraska lawmakers have some interim study issues getting attention.


Senator Tom Brandt of Plymouth, who represents the 32nd District, says one of those studies focuses on potential technology upgrades in the legislature.
"How can we apply technology to make this more efficient? Just things like putting the speaking que in front of the senators on their desks. When we first started you had to actually call to the front to find out where you were in the que. On some of these very controversial things, you'll have forty people click in, inside of a minute. You kind of want to know who you follow, so you aren't in your office instead of up there (on the floor), when you need to be."


Brandt also proposed an interim study to look at equalization aid to school districts. He had a bill before lawmakers this past session, which he says could have improved the plan that allocated $1,500 in equalization aid per student in the state.


"This would have reduced valuation on homes, from 96 to 86 percent...and ag land from 75 to 50 percent, inside the TEOSSA formula (school aid). It wouldn't have trickled down specifically to the individual ag land owner or home owner...but it would have dropped the valuation on that district so they probably became eligible for more equalization aid...and it did a better job of smoothing out across the state, who gets what."


Senator Myron Dorn, of Adams, who represents District 30…has a study resolution to look at upgrading physical access at the State Capitol Building. His goal and that of Brandt’s on improving technology, can be limited by the fact that the Capitol is an historic structure.


"We haven't done a feasibility study on it, in probably...I know more than ten years. Are there things now....ADA...accessibility and those things, that the capitol maybe could fit in there. We've had some good conversations on it, looking at could we, or should we be adapting more things."  There’s currently only one disability-compliant access to the state capitol building, located on the north side.


Dorn, an E-M-T with Adams Fire and Rescue… also has an interim study resolution this year to look at how the state might be able to help rural communities continue to provide emergency medical services.


"We're losing numbers....retiring or whatever. How do we keep those squads viable, how do we keep them very active and how do we keep the numbers....maybe grow the numbers. That's been really a challenge. Many, if not all of them are volunteers. So, we're looking at several things there. They've come forward with some solutions. We'll see if we bring a bill this next year on some thoughts, or not."


Dorn also proposed a study of the state’s Mesonet system, which provides critical weather and climate data through 57 weather stations throughout the state. A bill this past year proposed two-million dollars over two years for the system. The study would look more closely at numbers of stations, their use and location.


The Nebraska Legislature’s session next January…..a 60-day session….is scheduled to begin January 3rd…..and conclude in the third week of April.