LB275 LB275
2021 2021
LEGISLATIVE BILL 275
Approved by the Governor May 21, 2021
Introduced by Brewer, 43; McDonnell, 5; Hansen, M., 26; Cavanaugh, M., 6;
Pansing Brooks, 28.
A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to the Semiquincentennial Commission; to create a commission and provide duties for the commission relating to the United States Semiquincentennial; to provide duties for the Governor; to create a fund; and to declare an emergency.
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska,
Section 1. (1) The Semiquincentennial Commission is created. The commission shall be housed within the Nebraska State Historical Society for administrative and budgetary purposes.
(2) The commission shall consist of seventeen members.
(3) The Legislature intends for the commission to include members from all regions of the state, representing all major interests and a diverse array of
industries.
(4) The commission shall include the following members:
(a) The Director of the Nebraska State Historical Society or the designee of the director, who shall serve as the chairperson;
(b) The Director of Economic Development or the designee of such person;
(c) The Commissioner of Education or the designee of such person; and
(d) The President of the University of Nebraska or the designee of such person;
(5) The commission shall include at least one member from each of the following subdivisions to be appointed by the Governor before September 1,
2021:
(a) A Native American from a federally recognized Indian tribe, as of
January 1, 2021, residing within the State of Nebraska. Such member shall be
appointed from a list of five nominees submitted by the Commission on Indian Affairs;
(b) An African American who is a legal resident of the State of Nebraska.
Such member shall be appointed from a list of five nominees submitted by the Commission on African American Affairs;
(c) A Latino-American who is a legal resident of the State of Nebraska.
Such member shall be appointed from a list of five nominees submitted by the Commission on Latino-Americans;
(d) A curator or director of a private cultural institution as defined in
section 58-807.01 or a professional historian;
(e) A member of the Nebraska Tourism Commission;
(f) A representative from the Nebraska Humanities Council;
(g) A legal resident of the first congressional district;
(h) A legal resident of the second congressional district; and
(i) A legal resident of the third congressional district.
(6) The same individual shall not fulfill the requirements of more than one subdivision of subsections (4) and (5) of this section.
(7) No more than eight of the members shall be affiliated with the same political party.
(8) Any vacancy on the commission of an appointed member occurring after the initial appointment of members shall be filled by the Governor by
appointment.
(9) The commission shall terminate on June 30, 2027.
Sec. 2. (1) The Semiquincentennial Commission shall hold its first meeting no later than September 1, 2022.
(2) The members shall select a vice-chairperson and a secretary.
(3) Members shall receive no compensation for the performance of their duties as members of the commission, except that such members shall receive reimbursement for expenses as provided in sections 81-1174 to 81-1177.
(4) The commission may employ personnel and contract for services and shall remit any gifts, grants, or donations to the State Treasurer for credit to the Semiquincentennial Commission Fund. The commission shall expend and allocate any appropriations authorized by the Legislature to carry out the purposes of the commission.
Sec. 3. (1) The Semiquincentennial Commission is the point of contact for state and national organizations and events related to the Semiquincentennial of the United States and may also seek the guidance and support of any party.
(2) The Semiquincentennial Commission shall develop programs and plans for the official observance of the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United States, as marked by the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
(3) The commission shall cooperate with the United States Semiquincentennial Commission and various state agencies, boards, commissions,
departments, and political subdivisions in order to execute commemorative events and to implement educational activities, events, and celebrations related to the Semiquincentennial of the United States.
(4) The commission shall promote under-represented groups from the American Revolutionary War, including, but not limited to, women, American
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2021 2021
Indians, and persons of color.
Sec. 4. (1) The Semiquincentennial Commission Fund is created. Such fund shall consist of money appropriated by the Legislature and gifts, grants, or donations from any source, including federal, state, public, and private sources.
(2) The Semiquincentennial Commission Fund shall be utilized for the purpose of administering the Semiquincentennial Commission and executing commemorative activities and implementing educational activities, events, and celebrations related to the Semiquincentennial of the United States.
(3) Money received by the Semiquincentennial Commission shall be remitted to the State Treasurer for credit to the Semiquincentennial Commission Fund.
Any money in the Semiquincentennial Commission Fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.
(4)(a) The State Treasurer shall transfer the unobligated balance in the Semiquincentennial Commission Fund to the Historical Society Fund on June 1,
2027.
(b) The Semiquincentennial Commission Fund terminates on June 30, 2027,
and the State Treasurer shall transfer any money in the fund on such date to
the Historical Society Fund.
Sec. 5. Since an emergency exists, this act takes effect when passed and approved according to law.
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