Legislative Testimony and Bill Tracking for March 27
NEWS RELEASE from the Platte Institute
March 27, 2019
Contact: Adam Weinberg
(402) 452-3737
aweinberg@platteinstitute.org
Legislative Testimony and Bill Tracking for March 27
Mobile Massage Therapy Bill Hearing, Cottage Food Bill Advances
LINCOLN, NE – Today, the Platte Institute will testify in support of Sen. Steve Erdman’s Legislative Bill 244, which would permit the licensing of mobile massage therapy establishments. Currently, only brick and mortar facilities can receive licensing to provide massage therapy services in Nebraska.
Platte Institute Director of Government Relations Nicole Fox will provide testimony on the bill. LB244 will be heard before the Health and Human Services Committee in State Capitol room 1510 at 1:30 p.m. The bill is currently first on the agenda.
Last year, the Legislature passed a law to allow mobile cosmetology and nail service establishments.
“Professionals in many personal care service industries have identified a need for delivery of those services in a mobile fashion. Their clientele includes those who are home-bound due to disability, recovery from illness, or due to advanced age; those who do not have reliable transportation; those who live in nursing facilities; and those with a schedule or lifestyle that makes it difficult to travel to a traditional brick and mortar establishment,” said Fox.
“LB244 would to allow this new service delivery model while requiring owners to meet reasonable requirements that address health and safety concerns,” said Fox.
Fox’s testimony is available online at PlatteInstitute.org/Testimony.
In the Nebraska Legislature’s Agriculture Committee, senators voted Tuesday to advance Sen. Sue Crawford’s Legislative Bill 304 to General File. The Platte Institute testified in support of the bill and has also been prioritized by Sen. Ben Hansen. LB304 expands Nebraska’s cottage food law, which allows certain non-potentially hazardous homemade foods to be sold at farmers markets with the disclaimer that they are not produced in a commercially inspected kitchen.
LB304 would allow the same food products currently sold at farmers markets to be sold from home or online. The bill was advanced with a committee amendment, which will be posted on the Nebraska Legislature website, addressing issues related to food safety and compliance by home-based cottage food producers.
To schedule an interview on these topics, please contact Adam Weinberg at (402) 452-3737 or aweinberg@platteinstitute.org.
The Platte Institute advances policies that remove barriers to growth and opportunity in Nebraska. More media resources are available at PlatteInstitute.org/Media.