LINCOLN- Due to a recent law change, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen will now have a say in who is hired to head the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. The law, Legislative Bill 839, was proposed by District 37 State Senator John Lowe, who happens to be a finalist for the position. Before the bill, the governor was allowed to appoint members to the agency but was subject to confirmation by the legislature.

With this new law, the commission director is now internally selected and subject to approval from the governor. It also adds that the position is to be served full-time and bars the individual from engaging in another business, profession, or public office position. The agency has been given an increasingly important role, especially since gambling was expanded to licensed racetracks in 2020.

The commission's executive committee has selected four finalists including Lowe, who all have experience in state government. The goal of the agency was to find experienced and qualified finalists. The executive committee expects to recommend one of the finalists to the rest of the commission at its July meeting.

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