LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska State Sen. Paul Strommen has designated Legislative Bill 538 as his personal priority bill for the 2025 legislative session, marking an important milestone as the deadline for priority bill designations passed this week at the Capitol.

LB 538, introduced by Sen. Brian Hardin of District 48, seeks to address and prohibit discrimination, including antisemitic incidents, in Nebraska’s public K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions.

In addition to his priority bill selection, Strommen’s own bill, LB 312, which would allow nurse anesthetists to be eligible for an existing student loan repayment program, advanced to Final Reading after consideration on Select File. An amendment introduced by Sen. Merv Riepe successfully added provisions from LB 553 to also include licensed dietitian nutritionists in the program.

Strommen also announced that LB 698, which seeks to make changes to the Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplace Act, has been incorporated into Sen. Ballard’s LB 415 through a committee amendment. The Business and Labor Committee designated LB 415 as a priority bill after it advanced out of committee with a 6-1 vote. The amendment still requires approval from the full Legislature.

Additionally, LB 697, which would expand the Board of Pharmacy and update provisions related to delegated dispensing permits and telehealth, was incorporated into LB 332, a Health and Human Services Committee Priority Bill. Like LB 698, it must secure majority approval from the Legislature to move forward.

Strommen also welcomed a leadership class from Keith County to the State Capitol on Thursday. The group toured the historic building, observed the legislative session from the balcony, and later met in his office to discuss the session’s proceedings and key topics, including the Perkins County Canal project.

As the session continues, Strommen encouraged constituents to share their thoughts and concerns. "Your input is invaluable in shaping the future of our district and state," he said.