LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska moved a step closer Wednesday to creating a new state commission focused on African American affairs, similar to existing groups that represent Latino Americans and Native Americans.
The measure won first-round approval in the Legislature on a 32-0 vote.
The new, 14-member commission would meet quarterly and be allowed to hire an executive director. Commission members would receive $50 a day while performing commission duties, plus expense reimbursement.
The bill by Sen. Justin Wayne, of Omaha, would also require the commission to work with the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs and the Commission on Latino Americans to conduct a study on disparities in government contracting every two years, starting in 2022.
Two additional votes are required before the bill goes to the governor.