Smoking ban bill expected to pass key vote

Publication Date: 2008-02-14

• Author:MARTHA STODDARD
• Publication:Omaha (NE) World Herald

A bill to ban smoking in all Nebraska public buildings and workplaces appears on track to survive a key vote today, which would put it in position to pass this year, according to the bill's chief sponsor.

"It's close but it's possible, and I'm optimistic," State Sen. Joel Johnson of Kearney said after the Legislature spent more than two hours Wednesday debating Legislative Bill 395.

Lawmakers adjourned before voting on whether the bill should allow local communities to opt out of a statewide smoking ban.

But Johnson scored a 31-10 victory on a procedural motion that could foreshadow the vote on the opt-out provision.