ONE HUNDRED NINTH LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION - 2025
COMMITTEE STATEMENT
LB595
Hearing Date: Thursday March 06, 2025
Committee On: Natural Resources
Introducer: Prokop
One Liner: Create the Research Excellence Cash Fund
Roll Call Vote - Final Committee Action:
Advanced to General File with amendment(s)
Vote Results:
Aye: 7 Senators Brandt, Clouse, Conrad, DeKay, Hughes, Juarez, Raybould
Nay: 1 Senator Moser
Absent:
Present Not Voting:
Testimony:
Proponents: Representing:
Senator Jason Prokop Opening Presenter
Russell Callan Nebraska Association of Resource Districts
John McClure Nebraska Public Power District
Lorrie Benson First-Plymouth Congregation Church Climate Action
Team
Bruce Johnson Self
Al David Nebraska Chapter of the Sierra Club
Opponents: Representing:
Neutral: Representing:
Matt Blomstedt University of Nebraska
Larkin Powell Self
John Erixson Self
* ADA Accommodation Written Testimony
Summary of purpose and/or changes:
LB 595 creates the Research Excellence Cash Fund to be administered by the University of Nebraska for the purpose
of supporting research-based investments in data collection, including, but not limited to, weather-data collection
using the Nebraska Mesonet System. The fund shall consist of money from gifts, grants, or bequests designated for
the fund and transfers authorized by the Legislature. The bill contains an emergency clause.
Committee Statement: LB595
Natural Resources Committee
Page 1 30d5d6b1e9bbd156b9768617a8dd690f Explanation of amendments:
The committee adopted AM 619 which prohibits use of the funds for any electronic-related equipment or components
manufactured or supplied by a foreign adversary as identified in 15 CFR 791.4 applicable to data gathering
equipment that will be or is located within a 10-mile radius of a military installation as defined in section 70-1001.01.
Tom Brandt, Chairperson
Committee Statement: LB595
Natural Resources Committee
Page 2 30d5d6b1e9bbd156b9768617a8dd690f