NANCY HICKS / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Sunday, December 17, 2006 6:00 pm
How many times have you heard a disgruntled friend say, “There oughta be a law,” when confronted with a frustrating dilemma. For a couple of months the Journal Star has been collecting ideas from readers for new laws.
Now, we pass on those ideas to readers and state senators, including the 22 brand-new senators who will stepping into office for the first time.
In less than three weeks, the state’s 49 state senators will begin their six-month session. And during the first 10 days they will introduce new bill ideas.
Nebraskans have plenty of ideas for new laws, touching areas from driving to garage sales.
And we don’t always agree with each other on what the best solution for a problem would be.
During their longer, six-month session, senators generally introduce between 800 and 900 bills and pass about 250.
Many bills fail to run the entire legislative gamut, never becoming law because there isn’t enough time, because they face opposition or because they are not needed.
Two years ago, the Journal Star solicited ideas for new laws and followed two of them through the Legislature.
One (we called it the Hallam bill) would have provided some property tax relief on homes destroyed by a natural disaster. The other (dubbed the Lorelee Byrd bill, after the former state treasurer) would have required statewide elected officials, such as the governor and treasurer, to follow personnel rules created by the Legislature. It was proposed as a constitutional amendment.
Both bills were quietly controversial. The Hallam bill would have cost the state money, sending revenue to local subdivisions for the lost tax revenue.
Other constitutional officers quietly opposed the Byrd bill because it also would have limited their power to hire and fire.
Neither bill made it out of committee.
This year we’re simply offering the ideas readers have given us.
If senators decide to tackle any of the ideas, we’ll let you know.
Here are the ideas:
Outlaw ticket scalping: I feel there should be a law against “scalping” tickets to sporting events, concerts, etc. If people have tickets but cannot go, they should sell them for face value or less. The people who profit from this are crooks, in my mind. A few years ago a scalper was pressuring a young boy to sell him his ticket to a Nebraska football game. I conferred with law enforcement officers outside the stadium and they said there was nothing they could do.
Vote outside party affiliation: Registered voters should have the freedom to vote their choices, regardless of party affiliation, in the primary election. Restricting voters to a party affiliation is actually denying the voters the right to vote for who they believe is the best candidate for the office.
Post food allergens: I hope to get a law passed in Nebraska and eventually across our fine nation that all eating establishments (restaurants, delis, vendors at all events, cafeterias and anywhere food is served to the public) must post a full and updated sign regarding what food allergens are contained in their food or may have been processed with their food.
The information should be available at eating establishments and on their Web sites. They also should make employees aware of what allergens they are serving in their food.
I have a 5-year-old who has a severe peanut allergy, and many times when we ask if there are any sort of peanut products at their establishment or if any of their food is processed with peanuts, we are told, “ I don’t know” or “I don’t think so.”
That’s not good enough. We need to know for sure so we can sit down and enjoy our meal without having to worry about him having a severe reaction that would require a dose of EpiPen and a trip to the emergency room or worse.
We are limited to a handful of restaurants we know are safe.
Let’s make this country a little more safe for these children diagnosed with food allergies, or at least begin with our own state of Nebraska in hopes others will follow.
Raise the minimum wage: I look at the minimum wage being a pathetic $5.15 per hour and look at the cost of living being much higher. Something really needs to be done about it. We need a proposal to increase the minimum wage.
Move the State Fair: The Nebraska State Fair should be in the middle of the state, not on one edge. In other words, give Kearney or Grand Island a chance and have Lincoln and Omaha do the driving for once.
Add tax advantage to cars sold privately: How about a law that removes some of the price advantage on trade-in vehicles from car dealers? Currently if you sell your vehicle privately and then buy another one, you pay sales tax on the total purchase price.
If you trade in your vehicle on another, you pay sales tax only on the trade difference. On a $10,000 trade-in, the sales tax difference is about $700.
So how about a law that allows you to count the private sale of your vehicle (within 30 days either side of the purchase of another vehicle, as you have 30 days to license the new vehicle) as the equivalent of a trade-in for sales tax purposes?
The law could set the requirements, such as a notarized bill of sale, for such a transaction to be valid.
Wipers on, lights on: My suggestion for a new law is that it be mandatory when driving in the rain that you have your lights on! Several states have wipers on, lights on laws. California and Florida are two of them.
Protect landowners from trespassers suing: My husband and I own an acreage in Pawnee County. When renewing our liability/property insurance last year, our insurance agent suggested we buy umbrella coverage because we would be liable for personal injury should a hunter trespass and get hurt while on the property.
This is crazy! Why should a landowner be responsible for a person’s injury if he or she is on your property without permission.
It is my understanding that Kansas has already passed a law protecting landowners. I think Nebraska should pass one, too.
Keep track of guilty party in small-claims judgments: I won a small-claims case, but now I am having a difficult time collecting the money owed me. I have to take the guilty person back to court to find out where he lives, what assets he has and where he works before I can file liens or garnishee wages.
Part of the law should be that when a judgment is made, the guilty party should have to provide that information when the verdict is handed down.
Advertise the before-rebate price: Everybody I know despises the use of mail-in rebates — and especially when the after-rebate price is used as the main price in the ad, as it usually is.
I would like to see requirements regarding mail-in rebates, including not allowing companies to limit their rebates to one per address.
It should also be illegal for any company to sell or otherwise share personal information given on rebate applications.
Stop early and last-minute over-the-air campaigning: There should be a law forbidding any over-the-air (television, radio, satellite, etc.) campaigning for a statewide office until 120 days before primary election day and 90 days before the general election.
Candidates could buy as much print ad space as they desire. There would be no limit on fliers, brochures sent through the mail, door-to-door campaigning or outdoor signage.
In addition, there would be no over-the-air campaigning for 72 hours prior to election days.
Candidates would be welcome to buy all the air time they can afford on election days.
Reason: Give us a break!
Allow votes from outside city on city issues: Allow residents who live within one mile or three miles of a village or city to vote on that city’s election issues. They must live by the codes and laws mandated by the city, and they should have the opportunity to have a say in the way the city is run.
Make changes in child support laws: The courts need to recognize that fathers (and mothers who have shared custody) also pay for things like clothes, food, medication, etc., when children are at their house. All that is taken into consideration is how much the noncustodial parent makes.
The parent receiving child support should have to keep track (receipts, credit card, etc.) of what he or she spends the money on and after a certain amount of time adjust child support to that.
They also need to look at debt, so that the person paying does not go into worse debt and then looks like a deadbeat when he or she cannot pay.
Don’t require legal notices in newspapers: There should be a law that removes the requirement that public notices be printed several times in a newspaper of general circulation.
In this day and age, with the technology of the Internet widely available, it makes sense that state, county and local Web sites could be expanded to include a section devoted to the publication of any public notice.
Power companies should offer discounts: There should be a law requiring municipal and retail public power companies to provide steep discounts to schools, libraries and hospitals for their usage of electrical service.
State needs a safe haven law: I was watching “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” which stated that Nebraska, Hawaii and Alaska are the only states that do not have safe haven laws. Safe haven laws enable mothers to take babies to hospitals, fire stations, police stations, etc., and leave them in the care of the state, with no questions asked.
Extend health-care coverage on children: Health-care costs are a concern for all of us, and yet there is a large group of uninsured or Medicaid-covered individuals in the 19-25 age group. Typical family policies drop children at 19 unless they are full-time students.
Some people cannot handle a full class load for many reasons, including academic ability, the need to work to pay tuition or other responsibilities to the family.
Other states have taken the lead and required employers to cover children to age 25 without regard to their student status. This helps reduce the number of uninsured and Medicaid-covered individuals while giving them time to establish education and a work history until they can secure their own health-care benefits.
Reform petition initiative process: After watching the spate of petition-driven constitutional amendments and other signature-driven ballot initiatives in recent years, it has occurred to me that the entire petition process is tremendously one-sided and heavily biased toward the initiating side.
In addition to this, it is becoming increasingly obvious that outside interests with large coffers of money are using this process to further their agendas. The petition process should be an avenue for the affected citizens to promote change and not a means for other entities to sidestep established legislative and judicial procedures.
I would propose that only volunteer (unpaid) registered voters be allowed to gather signatures. They would only be allowed to gather signatures within the boundaries of their precinct.
The petition itself must have the full, legal wording of the initiative clearly visible in a type size no smaller than 12 points.
There will be two clearly marked signature options: one for and one against, which would be used to determine whether an issue would go on the ballot.
Don’t burden taxpayer to provide proof: The Nebraska Department of Revenue should not be able to assess penalties or interest to a taxpayer who in good faith paid a vendor (with nexus in Nebraska) and an error is later discovered through an audit.
Now, when the Revenue Department audits business taxpayers for sales and use tax, it puts the entire burden on the taxpayer under audit to prove the proper sales tax was collected by every vendor with which he or she did business.
Control premiums on high-risk health insurance: I would like to see the Legislature revise statutes that force the Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool Board to raise premiums dramatically. This year the average increase was 25 percent on this program for Nebraskans who can’t get health insurance anywhere else. Premiums for my actual plan based on my age and gender rose 40 percent in 2006.
Tenants should have to pay meth lab cleanup bill: If a person is renting a home and has a meth lab in the house, the tenant should be held responsible for all cleanup and repair costs.
No property owner should have to pay for damages caused by tenants and their drug use.
Limit number of people who serve on multiple boards: There needs to be a limited number of village board members who are on other village entities such as fire department, rescue and water boards. When the village board is loaded with fire department members, for instance, there is no fair vote to others involved in the village. They monopolize the vote for their own agenda.
No plea bargains for meth users: There needs to be a law that there are no plea bargains for people who use or make methamphetamines. The ads on television say Nebraska is tough on meth labs, but authorities make plea bargains every day and let drug users back onto the street. If Nebraska says it is tough, it should follow up on its word.
Vehicle lights on all the time or pay high fines: All drivers on any road in Nebraska should be required to have their headlights turned on regardless of the time of day. In other words, when you turn the key to start your vehicle, the headlights must be turned on.
There are way too many accidents caused by unconcerned drivers who drive in fog, misting rain, snow, clouds without turning on any headlights.
There should also be high fines. For first offense, $200; $500 for second; $1,000 for third offense.
When you hit a person in the pocketbook, they will abide, or they will have to pay.
Allow public policing of handicapped parking spots: Allow concerned residents to call in license numbers of vehicles illegally parked in handicapped slots and allow police to issue citations to the offenders based on this information. Too often, offenders have left by the time police get there.
No cell phones while driving: Outlaw the use of a cell phone while driving. We have had numerous close calls involving drivers talking on cell phones.
Offer health benefits to longtime state employees: Nebraska should join 47 other states and offer a health insurance benefit to their state employees who are retiring with 25-plus years of service.
No driving until 18: Raise the age for getting a driver’s license to 18.
Get rid of downtown bike lanes: I think the bike lanes downtown are dangerous. Not only do they make drivers nervous, but the bikers themselves think they don’t have to obey speeding laws, traffic lights or or any other laws that apply.
How many bikers are going to get seriously injured or killed before they decide just how stupid that idea was in the beginning?
Require 911 callers to stick around the scene: I am a firefighter/paramedic for Lincoln. I also often interact with police, sheriff, state patrol and numerous volunteer agencies in the area.
I feel there ought to be a law that if you feel the need to call 911 you should stay in the area until someone from a responding agency can make personal contact with you.
People do not have to get out and render aid or approach a “scene” if they don’t want to. They can just stay in the area until someone from a responding agency makes contact with them.
I feel this would make for a more legitimate use of the 911 system.
W-2s due by Dec. 31: There oughta be a law that all employers must have W-2 forms to their employees by Dec. 31 every year.
I’m one of those who likes to get their tax refund as soon as possible, and it drives me crazy to have to wait until the middle of January or beginning of February to get my W-2.
No doggies on lap: I would like to see a law outlawing operating a motor vehicle with a pet in your lap. I see this all the time, and it has to be distracting.
Limit election advertising, spending: Allow election advertisements only in the 60 days before an election. The money spent should not exceed the yearly salary for the elected job.
Ban concurrent sentences: There ought to be a law against judges sentencing people to concurrent sentences. What is the point of even taking someone through the whole legal process if they aren’t going to have a sentence to serve?
No bicycles on roads without paved shoulders: There ought to be a law to prohibit or outlaw bicyclists from using two-lane paved roads that do not have paved shoulders.
I live out near Denton and several bicyclists use West Denton Road, which does not have a paved shoulder. This is dangerous not only to the riders but also to the motor vehicle drivers, as most times the cyclists do not ride single file but side by side on this hilly road.
Stiffer penalties against child predators: There oughta be a law protecting our children from being abused, misguided or taken advantage of by people of trust.
Should it only be a misdemeanor crime, when our teachers, counselors, group leaders, faith leaders (people of trust) begin a sexual relationship with one of our children when they are 16, 17, 18?
These relationships happen more often than people think and are sometimes hidden by the employer of the adult.
Always allow right turns on red: Prohibiting right turns on red by placing signs or other traffic control devices is becoming so common the benefits of a right turn on red are all but lost in many areas.
The use of electronically controlled signals that prohibit right turns at various times and allow them at others are expensive and seldom function with any degree of logic.
We should add or amend state law to make right turns on red legal at all times, at all intersections, providing the original restrictions are followed (complete stop and yielding to other traffic and pedestrians).
Need ‘Clean Election’ reform: I would like to see the Legislature implement a “Clean Election” reform law.
Clean elections laws provide voluntary public financing of elections. These laws reduce the influence of powerful lobbies and rich individuals and make running for office a possibility for a much larger segment of the public.
These laws encourage discourse and grass-roots campaigning by making money a less important part of the election process.
Exempt military retirees from taxes: I recommend a law where military retirees are tax-exempt, so we can have our full military retirement. I earned mine by serving 22 years in other countries, war zones and other states, but now that I’m retired I must pay Nebraska taxes on it. Fair it is not.
Require licensing to run for office: I would like to see a law that would require all politicians to obtain a license to run for an elected office and maintain that license while in office. Politicians should have to pay a yearly maintenance fee, with the money used for a scholarship fund or other charitable purpose. We could also require such qualifications as testing.
Lower tax burden for seniors: Nebraska needs some new law helping seniors with our taxes, so when we retire we are able to stay in Nebraska instead of leaving for a more tax-friendly state.
Impound uninsured drivers’ cars: Having recently been involved in an auto accident with an uninsured driver, I would like to see new legislation that would be proactive regarding proof of financial responsibility.
I would like to see legislation that if you allow your registration and/or insurance to lapse, you would have a seven-day grace period following the expiration date, after which the vehicle is subject to impoundment.
Outlaw smoking in cars with children: I strongly believe smoking in cars where children younger than 18 are present should be outlawed.
No lobbyists near senators: Bar any special-interest group or lobbyist from within 100 feet of a state senator. And any state senator who takes money would end up in jail and lose his or her seat.
Audit state budget: Require an out-of-state accounting firm to audit the state budget. Let the people of Nebraska see any pork or fat.
Election ads 30 days out: There should be a law limiting the time candidates for office can pollute the television airwaves with political ads. I think 30 days before an election is plenty long.
Sell beer in smaller quantities: We need to combat the binge drinking problem. Most establishments serving beer on tap offer only large mugs holding 14 to 16 ounces or more. Such an amount when consumed by a person of low body weight leads to rapid intoxication. Many people would prefer 8 to 10 ounces, but servers say these are not available. I propose a law to require beer-on-tap be offered in smaller quantities than we now see.
Abolish the death penalty.
Offer driver’s ed in schools: We need to put driver’s education (with defensive driving) back in the schools. The 50-hour law (requiring teens to log 50 hours with an adult driver in the passenger seat) is a comedy of errors. No parent should be teaching his or her child to drive.
Force vehicle inspections: We need to reinstate the vehicle inspection law. Many car and truck headlights are out of adjustment. Taillights are out. Turn signals are out. It is terrible.
Review all laws: How about making a critical review of all laws on the books? Those that are weak, not being enforced or obsolete should be dropped.
Fingerprint discarded beer bottles: Most of the beer-bottle litter on city streets is from people drinking and driving. Have police dust the beer bottles littering the streets for fingerprints and start arresting people who have thrown them out.
Make candidates comply with no-call lists: Make it against the law for electoral candidates to call people registered on national no-call lists.
Give parents school vouchers: There is more and more information on immorality being fed to children in public schools. Give parents school vouchers that could be used for public or private schools. Children would be required to take a state standardized test to verify that each is receiving an adequate education for the money spent.
Make everyone speak English: All immigrants should have to learn the English language, including school-age individuals. And anyone applying for a job or inquiring about renting property should have to have an interpreter if he or she is not fluent in English.
Help college students financially: Create a scholarship program like the Georgia HOPE Scholarship program, which stands for Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally and rewards students with financial assistance at eligible Georgia public and private colleges and universities and public technical colleges.
Ban discrimination: There should be a law that people cannot discriminate against people they think are gay when they aren’t.
Gather DNA on all criminals: Require everyone convicted of a felony and any person currently incarcerated in any penal facility in the state, including juvenile detention centers, to submit to a DNA test, and have the information entered into the national DNA database.
Enact political spending limit: Politicians should have a $100,000 spending limit for the primary and $100,000 for the November election. We the people don’t need the mudslinging that goes on. We just need to hear what they are going to do.
Require garage sale signs to be taken down: Garage sale signs should be taken down a day after the sale, or the offender should be fined.
Make sure laws are equal: Enforce the laws we have equally. For example, mufflers are required and enforced on all vehicles except trucks and motorcycles.
Immigration laws vary by country and by nationality.
The USDA had beginning-farmer loans for socially disadvantaged people. Everyone qualified except for the white male.
Ban cell phones in public: Cell phones should be outlawed in all public places and while driving cars. They distract people, even at hockey games.