NFOA MEMBERS FORUM
General Categories => Laws and Legislation => Topic started by: son of liberty on January 14, 2010, 07:12:57 PM
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has anyone heard anymore on lb889? was wondering if its making good progress.
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This article sounds positive:
http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1602461.html
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It's a process. Rest assured you will hear about it first on this website
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awesome!!! i am really enthused and pumped up about this bill. i pray it passes. when it does, i think we should all celebrate somewhere. ;D
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How about Sept 11, 2010 in Grand Island ;)
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On 1/12/10, LB889 was referred to the NE Legislative Judiciary Committee by the Legislative Reference Committee.
We are now waiting for the Judiciary Committe, Chairman Senator Brad Ashford to "pick a date" for the "Public Hearing."
Public Hearings are always scheduled in the afternoons, usually with a 1:30 P.M. start time. They usually have four or five LBs on their afternoon hearing schedule and the order in which the LBs are heard isn't usually known until one arrives for the hearing. So, if going, plan on being there (at the state capitol) at 1:30 P.M. And, plan on being there for the entire afternoon.
Because of the volume of paperwork the Senators deal with it is best to wait until a day or two prior to the hearing to start writing the members of the Judiciary Committee asking for their support.
Once LB889 is out of committee and on General File, and a date is scheduled for floor debate, that will be the time to start writing YOUR OWN specific State Senator asking for their support. If you bug some of them to soon, they may forget the volume of people who are interested in this effort.
As soon as we know the date for the public hearing it will be posted. We will need at least a 5 to 3 vote to get it out of the Judiciary committee.
There is NOTHING in the "Rules of the Legislature" that says they have to have a public hearing on any topic. Although, Public Hearings are usually scheduled for issues which are considered important to the general public.
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How about Sept 11, 2010 in Grand Island ;)
Whatever do you mean, Dan?
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How about Sept 11, 2010 in Grand Island ;)
Whatever do you mean, Dan?
I mean it would be a really good time to become a full member of the NFOA, so you can attend the first ever NFOA membership meeting on Sept 11 2010
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i think the september 11 idea sounds great!!! i would be more than happy to attend! :)
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For those of you who plan on Testifying FOR LB889. You are limited to 3 minutes and then will be asked questions by the Judiciary Committee members if they need clarification on anything you've presented.
Please follow the information / instructions below. We need to be prepared, and your testimony should be in writing, otherwise you will need to speak slow enough for whatever you say to be transcribed. So, if you plan to testify, don't wait to the last minute to put it on paper......start writing your testimony TODAY. Be sure to read "Testimony Tips." DO NOT FORGET to make 15 copies of your testimony.
Tips on Testifying at a Committee Hearing
The Hearing Process
A committee may consider several bills during an afternoon. The committee chairperson determines the order in which bills will be heard, the rules for testifying and whether there will be a time limit on your testimony. The length of time spent on each bill varies and depends largely on the number of people testifying, the length of their testimony and the number of questions asked by committee members.
Usually, unless otherwise indicated, hearings begin at 1:30 p.m. Each bill is presented by the senator who sponsors it. After the sponsoring senator finishes his or her introduction, the committee chair typically will ask proponents of the bill to come forward individually and state their reasons for supporting the measure. Then, the chair will ask the bill's opponents to come forward and state their opinions. Often, committee chairpersons will allow individuals to testify in a neutral capacity.
If you want to testify before the committee, you will need to fill out the sign-in sheet at the witness table, orally identify yourself and spell your last name for the record, and state who, if anyone, you represent as you begin your testimony. It is important to remember that committee proceedings are transcribed verbatim.
Letters or written communications containing support, opposition or neutral testimony also are accepted by committees during a bill's public hearing. Persons wishing to send written information should address their correspondence to the office of the senator who chairs the committee and ensure that the information arrives before the hearing.
Citizen Testimony
As a concerned citizen, there are several ways in which you may communicate effectively with your senator in an attempt to suggest or influence legislation. One way is to testify at a legislative hearing.
At public hearings, citizens have an opportunity within the time available to make their views known or have them incorporated into the official committee record. In Nebraska, gubernatorial appointments and most bills, with the exception of a few technical bills, receive a public hearing by one of the Legislature's committees.
Generally, testimony on legislative bills is heard by one of the Legislature's 14 standing committees:
?Agriculture
?Appropriations
?Banking, Commerce and Insurance
?Business and Labor
?Education
?General Affairs
?Government, Military and Veterans Affairs
?Health and Human Services
?Judiciary
?Natural Resources
?Nebraska Retirement Systems
?Revenue
?Transportation and Telecommunications
?Urban Affairs
Each of these committees has seven to nine members.
Public hearings on bills typically are held in the afternoons during the first half of the legislative session. Committees have assigned hearing rooms and meeting days, although they sometimes meet at different times and places in order to accommodate witnesses or large audiences.
The weekly schedule of committee hearings is prepared for publication on the last legislative day of the week during session. The schedule is available on a table in front of the Office of the Clerk of the Legislature and published in the Sunday Lincoln Journal Star, the Sunday Omaha World-Herald and the weekly Unicameral Update, the Legislature's newsletter produced during the legislative session.
Testimony Tips
?Be aware that sometimes the sponsor of a bill will offer amendments when he or she presents the bill to the committee. These proposed amendments may change the way you feel about the bill and, thus, affect your testimony.
?Be prepared to limit your testimony and try not to repeat testimony offered by previous witnesses. Remember that while senators want to hear what you have to say, there are numerous witnesses who also want to be heard.
?Be prepared to answer questions asked by committee members.
?Most observers agree that, as a witness, you will be more effective in getting your message across if you have prepared your testimony in writing. If you do this, it is helpful to bring enough copies to distribute to all committee members, the two committee staff members, media and the transcribers' office. Fifteen copies is usually enough to accomplish this. If written testimony is lengthy, it can be distributed and summarized orally to conserve the committee's time.
?Addressing committee members or witnesses from the audience, public demonstrations and applause are prohibited.
?You should not be offended if senators come and go during a hearing. They have other commitments, including the presentation of bills in other committees that are meeting simultaneously.
?If auxiliary aids or reasonable accommodations are needed for you to attend a hearing, please call the Office of the Clerk of the Legislature, (402) 471-2271, or if you have a hearing or speech impairment, please call the Ombudsman's Office at (402) 471-2035 or 800-742-7690. Advance notice of seven days is needed when requesting an interpreter.
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One other note.... It would be nice to know WHO ALL is going to be testifying at the Public Hearing on LB889.
More than likely, either Jordan Austin - Nebraska's NRA/ILA Representative from Fairfax, VA. or Ron Jensen - Lincoln Attorney, our NE State NRA/ILA Representative will be testifying on behalf of the NRA. I will be testifying for the NMA/ENGC.
Who or how many will be representing the NFOA? It would be nice if we had NFOA members from across the state testifying, although we can't all be saying the same thing over and over again.
I'd like whomever is planning on testifying to respond to this message. Thanks.
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I will be testifying on this bill, so long as the hearing doesn't fall on a date I am out of town.
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If it happens to fall on a date when your out of town, be sure to get your testimony to someone else, so they can fill in for you.
That's three of us testifying so far.
It would be nice if we knew of or can round up around fifteen people testifying, as that would take up approximately 45 minutes to an hour of PRO LB889 talk. I will know more after the NCSC meeting in Lincoln on the 1st of Feb., that's if the public hearing is scheduled after that date.
I have no idea how many people or what organizations are going to show up to testify against it, but you know there will be some.
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The NFOA encourages our members to contact their representatives to support this bill. Yes, once it is scheduled for floor debate it is more important but speaking now lets them know this issue is important to you and that you expect action.
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I will also be there as President of the NFOA.
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Great, will you be testifying?
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As I have on every firearm related bill in the last 5 years other than last year when I had to mail my testemony in from Iraq.
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Fantastic.
We've met before when testifying in Lincoln, when we both were attending public hearings. You even gave me a copy of your CCW testimony. Looking forward to doing it again. That's FOUR of us...for sure.
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I'm planning on being there as well and I'm quite sure there will be MANY more to fill the room, just as there was last year for the LB430 and LB273 hearings.
Wes, thanks for giving those who are not familiar with it the general run-down on how the Committee hearing process works. I will add that one should be prepared to spend the afternoon in a cramped, warm, stuffy room listening quietly to other issues that you may have absolutely no interest in whatsoever. It is not the most fun thing in the world, but is the process that is used.
Showing up with concise, accurate, and heart-felt testimony to give can help the NFOA get this bill advanced out of committee. If that doesn't happen, the bill will have to be re-introduced next session.
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With a little heads up I will come out from Alliance and represent the Western side of the state. Keep us posted.
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How about Sept 11, 2010 in Grand Island ;)
Whatever do you mean, Dan?
I mean it would be a really good time to become a full member of the NFOA, so you can attend the first ever NFOA membership meeting on Sept 11 2010
Sorry, I'll be in D.C.
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The "Tentative" Date for the Public Hearing on LB889 and LB1033 is Thursday February 4th, 2010 in the Judiciary Committee Hearing Room. Public Hearings start at 1:30 P.M.
NOW IS THE TIME TO WRITE AND ASK THE MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT THESE TWO LB's
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Umm, so how did the hearing go? From the media reports it sounds like not so well. We the NFOA would like a report from those that were there. I just got off the phone with 6 of the 8 Senators offices who sit on the judiciary committee. I called everyone except Council and McGill. As of now Ashford's office does not know if he supports it yet or not. Christensens office said that McGill completely is against it and Council doesn't support the expansion of the use of force, but does support civil immunity (WOW!!!). Council surprised me. Lautenbaugh, Christensen, Coash (he did have some issue with the car part) all support it. Didn't get a hold of Rogert's office but left a message. I am also assuming that Rogert is on our side since he seems to be pro gun. The problem maker this time is Lathrop. He does not like the bill at all and according to his office will probably not be supporting this bill which means we NEED Brad Ashford's vote to get it out of committee. Lathrop, in his mind, sees a problem with the language and believes that "accidents" will happen: such as the meter reader getting shot or the neighbor with alzheimers. Personally I think his concerns are blown way out of proportion, the bill is pretty clear that if someone is not committing a crime (forcible felony) such as kicking down your door or bashing in your window or trying to set the place ablaze the homeowner will not be protected in shooting such person.
Folks, the only way this thing is going to get out of committee is if we heavily lobby Mr. Ashford. So get on the phone folks!
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Currently there is work going to clear up some of the language that concerns Sen. Lathrop and others, my feelings (from the hearing, and conversations since) are that this needs to happen before we will get Sen. Ashford to support as well. This is actively being worked on; hopefully it will be completed soon. But polite emails and calls to the committee and your Senator, even if not on the committee, will help keep this from dying from lack of attention. Senators not on the committee can and do help push for a bill to come out of committee, if they know it is an important bill to their constituents.
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Umm, so how did the hearing go?
Have you not read the running thread on this subject?
http://www.nebraskafirepower.com/forum/index.php?topic=1673.60
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Thanks for posting that thread Dan. I was looking all over the general discussion section.
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I can't see the member's only discussion about this, so I'll post this here. I just called McGill's office (she's my senator since I moved) and asked how she stands on it. Apparently there are amendments being considered and she's not publicly declaring until the amendments are presented. I made it clear that I support it as written, and I hope that she'll vote to move it out of committee. As someone who can vote against her in November I hope she takes note of my wishes.
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Bill if you want to read the members only area you must be a member of NFOA Forum and the NFOA Organization.
In other words all members who want access to voting privileges and Full member forum privileges must register on both sites.
At current you are not yet registered on the NFOA Front Page if you recently enrolled at a Firearm Show it will take some time before we get your info. entered.
There is no fee to join either and both are required to have full member privileges on the forum.
http://nebraskafirearms.org/ (NFOA Front Page)
http://www.nebraskafirepower.com (NFOA Forum)
Questions?
Randy
NFOA Board of Directors Member
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There are now links to join both the NFOA and the Forum at the bottom of every page in the footer