Last week, I was pleased to see my fentanyl sentencing enhancement pass on Final Reading as part of Sen. Barry DeKay’s LB 795, with a vote of 32-14-3.

As a reminder from my week 4 newsletter, LB 817 aligns the weight-based penalties for fentanyl distributors/traffickers with those currently in state statute for other exceptionally hazardous drugs including methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.

Even in very small amounts, fentanyl can be deadly, yet under current law, traffickers face lighter penalties than those distributing methamphetamine or cocaine, but LB 817 fixes this. When I added these enhancements to LB 795 as an amendment on Select File the week prior, the amendment was filibustered and ultimately brought to cloture before moving forward.

I still struggle to understand why anyone would oppose stronger penalties for those distributing such dangerous drugs that have devastating and possibly deadly consequences. LB 795 also designates bromazolam as a controlled substance, addressing the growing threat of new synthetic drugs entering our Nebraska communities.

On Feb. 19, senators finalized their priority bill designations. I was pleased that three of the bills I introduced were chosen as senator priorities this session. I prioritized LB 1083, which addresses the serious risks AI chat platforms pose to children. Some chatbots can isolate young users, manipulate them emotionally, and, in documented cases, even provide guidance on self-harm or suicide.

This bill requires transparency from the largest AI developers and consumer-facing chat platforms to ensure they are protecting children and managing critical risks. LB 978, prioritized by Sen. Dave Murman, strengthens protections against child sexual abuse material and allows victims to hold websites accountable for distributing or profiting from this illegal content.

LB 669, a carryover bill from last year focused on informed consent and screening for coercion, domestic violence, and human trafficking, was prioritized by Sen. Dan Lonowski.

While this bill was ultimately filibustered and lacked the two Republican votes necessary to pass, its focus on protecting women and ensuring safety during medical care remains critically important. I am grateful to both Sens. Murman and Lonowski for supporting these important issues and prioritizing bills I had introduced.

Nebraska is sending a clear message that threats to our families from fentanyl traffickers, human traffickers and abusers, and online predators, will not be tolerated. These bills reflect a strong commitment to accountability, action, and protection. I am dedicated to ensuring these critical measures are enacted into law, which is vital for keeping our communities safe.

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