LINCOLN- On Thursday, the Legislature's Business and Labor Committee advanced a substantial package of legislation that includes LB267, a bill introduced by Sen. Tom Brewer that would give priority access to resources for "critical infrastructure utility workers" during civil defense emergencies, as determined by the President of the United States.

These workers would be given prioritized access to resources during emergencies that pose a "severe threat" to human health, including personal protective equipment, vaccines, and certain medical treatments. Brewer introduced the bill after hearing concerns from public power workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, who claimed that they were left in "no man's land" with vaccines and other resources despite having a "critical task."

During the hearing for LB267, Nebraska Adjutant General Daryl Bohac was the sole opponent testifer. Gen. Bohac, who heads the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, argued that LB267 would allow the state to supplant local capabilities and responsibilities with a too-broadly defined state mandate.

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