■
- j
H
Bill would target
minors and smoking
Senators discussed a bill
Wednesday that would make
laws regarding tobacco use and
minors more specific. ■,
LB1035, introduced Jan. 6
by Sen. Elaine Stuhr of
Bradshaw, would make it ille
gal for minors to possess, use or
buy tobacco.
The bill would also punish
those who attempt to use a fake
ID, Stuhr said.
The current law prohibits
minors only from using tobac
co but says nothing about
minors buying tobacco, Stuhr
said.
The legislative Judiciary
Committee heard testimony on
the bill but did not vote on it.
The Legislature has been
looking for ways to prevent
teen smoking and are planning
on exploring new options,
Stuhr said.
Minors convicted of a
'tobacco-related offense might
also have to take a tobacco
awareness class as well as per
' form community service, Stuhr
said.
“The bill proposes that
teens take responsibility for
their actions,” she said.
Bill would make drivers,
cell phone users liable
People who drive while
talking on the phone could be
held partially responsible in an
accident if a proposed bill pass
es in the Legislature.
LB993, introduced Jan. 5
by Sen. Dave Landis of
Lincoln, would allow an indi
vidual to be held additionally
liable if it can be proven that
use of a cellular phone con
tributed to the accident.
“(Cell phones) are highly
unsafe,” he said.
The bill states that the use
of a mobile telephone while
simultaneously driving creates
negligence on the part of the
driver.
Members of the
Legislature’s Judiciary
Committee heard testimony
Wednesday about the bill and
did not vote whether to advance
it to the floor for debate.
Compiled by staff writer
Jill Zeman
—ASUN—
Senate bill commends
student court justice
BySaraSalkeld
Staff uniter
The Association of Students of the
University of Nebraska approved a bill for an
official commendation of a student court asso
ciate justice.
Donald Arp Jr. was commended for his
work in categorizing all of the student court
cases the court has heard since 1967.
Student Court Chief Justice Trent Steele
said what Arp has done is important to the work
of the student court.
“It enables us with a precedent to make
decisions,” Steele said.
The commendation further honors Arp’s
work by naming the student case file the
“Donald Arp Case Directory.”
Arp said he wants to make the student court
more professional.
“It shouldn’t be students who are justices, it
should be justices who happen to be students,”
Arp said when accepting the commendation.
In other ASUN senate news, the College of
Arts and Sciences will be holding a debate for
its candidates.
There are currently 16 candidates running
for six spots.
The debate will be held Feb. 22 from 4 to 6
p.m. in the Nebraska Union. At 4 p.m., there
will be an opportunity to meet the candidates in
the Pewter Room. At 5 p.m., the candidates will
be in the auditorium to make formal statements
and answer questions.
—LEGISLATURE—
Drug item
standards
could be
Debate swirled Wednesday around
a legislative bill that could classify sev
eral household items as drug parapher
nalia.
LB1102, introduced Jan. lOby Sen.
Ray Aguilar of Grand Island, would add
items such as mixing equipment, scales
and testing equipment to the list of drug
paraphernalia. It also lists blenders,
bowls, containers, spoons, capsules,
balloons and envelopes as potential
drug paraphernalia. t
Aguilar said officers could identify
possible drug paraphernalia, but indi
viduals could not be convicted unless it
was proved the individual intended to
use die item for illegal drug use.
The Judiciary Committee dis
cussed the bill and did not vote whether
to advance it to the floor.
Aguilar said he introduced the bill
because he was concerned about mari
juana use among Nebraskans.
“It’s easy for children to obtain drug
paraphernalia in arty ofNebraska’s larg
er communities,” Aguilar said. '
Items used for smoking marijuana
are found at stores nicknamed head
shops. The paraphernalia can be sold
legally because retailers present diem
for tobacco use, Aguilar said.
“What kind of message are we
sending to our kids when we say the
possession of marijuana is illegal, but
you can buy pipes and bongs legally?”
Aguilar said.
Sen. Ernie Chambers of Om^ha
tsaid the bill would give police officers
too much power.
Chambers said under the bill, law
enforcement could see items that could
be considered paraphernalia and use
probable cause to search a vehicle.
“The difference between you and
me is that you think cops don’t lie, and I
know they do,” Chambers said to
Aguilar.
The bill would also increase the
penalty of possessing drug parapherna
lia from an infraction to a misde
meanor, Aguilar said.
Bob Hallstrom of the Nebraska
Pharmacists Association testified in a
neutral capacity because, undo- the bill,
some pharmacies could be affected.
Many pharmacies use scales, which
would be considered paraphernalia, to
weigh prescription drugs, a controlled
substance, Hallstrom said.
Aguilar said the hearing produced
questions that would help draft a better
bill.
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