LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A Legislative committee rejected a Grand Island lawmaker’s bill that would keep a Nebraska veterans’ home from moving to Kearney.
The bill by Sen. Mike Gloor, of Grand Island, would require state agencies to submit their relocation proposals to lawmakers if they cost $15 million or more.
In July, Gov. Dave Heineman announced the state would build a new, $121 million Central Nebraska Veterans Home in Kearney. The home has been in Grand Island for nearly 127 years.
At a hearing last week, Grand Island-area officials supported the bill but those from Kearney opposed it.
On Wednesday, the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee rejected the bill on a 3-4 vote.
Before the vote, committee members changed the bill so it would only apply to future projects. Previously the bill would have applied to projects after Jan. 1, 2013.
Sen. Bill Avery of Lincoln, chairman of the committee, noted the bill would ensure a process that was similar to previous relocation of state services, such as the move of the state fair to Grand Island.
Gloor had selected the measure as his priority bill, which means it would be considered in front of other bills during debate. Gloor said he was disappointed the bill did not advance but hoped the committee would vote again on the proposal.
The committee could reconsider the vote if Gloor makes a specific request, said Avery, who voted to advance the bill out of committee.
During the committee’s discussion on the bill, Sen. Jim Scheer of Norfolk said lawmakers from the state’s metropolitan areas would decide where the services would go. Lawmakers from the Lincoln and Omaha areas have a majority of the Legislature.
Scheer voted against the bill.
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The bill is LB935
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