Senators give final OK to bill barring candidates who owe civil penalties

LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers Thursday gave strong support to a measure that would prohibit a candidate from filing for political office if he or she owes civil penalties for violating state accountability and disclosure laws.

Senators sent Legislative Bill 85, sponsored by State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, to the governor’s desk on a 48-0 vote.

The bill, which also bars anyone with outstanding Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission fines from being appointed to public office, would apply to situations such as that of Pat Shannon.

Shannon, who was elected in November to the at-large Bellevue City Council seat vacated by Blood, owes a civil penalty of $16,000, plus interest, from a violation of campaign laws in 2004.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/news/legislature/senators-give-final-ok-to-bill-barring-candidates-who-owe/article_abc3d48c-0fe6-11e7-ad8e-03cc4b7dfcdd.html