LINCOLN - A new legislative proposal would take the power local health directors have in regard to mask mandates and place the decision in the hands of either their city council or county board. State Sen. Kathleen Kauth said she offered LB421 to make sure that people don’t panic and give up their rights as easily the next time there is a public health emergency in Nebraska.

“Masks were the big one,” she said. “When you have someone who’s imposing those, that’s not acceptable because you can’t do anything about that. If the public is upset with an elected official, the first chance they take, there is a remedy for that.” LB421 would begin to involve local health boards, city officials, and NDHHS in health recommendation decisions.

The bill also would require any directed health measure to be approved by the pertinent city council or county board. Much of Kauth’s frustration stems from the actions of Lindsay Huse, acting as health director for the City of Omaha, who enacted a COVID-19-related mask mandate in January 2022 without seeking the approval of the Omaha City Council.

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