Governor Pillen convenes Nebraska’s Pacific Conflict Commission
LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen has formally appointed members of Nebraska’s Pacific Conflict Commission, believed to be the first state-level commission of its kind in the nation, to address potential risks from China.
Nebraska is located in the middle of the United States, thousands of miles from China or the possibility of conflict on land, sea, or air in the Pacific. But Lincoln state Sen. Eliot Bostar sponsored Legislative Bill 1300 Any potential disruption in the U.S. could be far-reaching, Representative Pillen said this spring.
“Just by being prepared here in Nebraska, we’re actually doing our part to prevent conflict from happening,” Bosta told the Nebraska Examiner in April.
LB 1300 includes the Pacific Conflict Stress Test Act and the Foreign Adversary Prohibition Act, in part creating the 11-member Pacific Conflict Commission. law passed 46-0 April.
Lawmakers seek to prevent conflict in Pacific, build bridges with Asian Americans in Nebraska
Seven members have voting rights on the committee:
Director of the Nebraska Department of Homeland Security (Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly). Director, Nebraska Department of Administrative Services (Lee Will). National Investment Officer (Ellen Hung). Adjutant General, Nebraska National Guard (Major General Craig Strong). The three governor-appointed individuals have “applicable knowledge” of the threat that conflict in the Pacific could pose to Nebraska. At least one person must represent the entity responsible for the operation and maintenance of critical infrastructure in Nebraska.
Pillen has since appointed three members to the commission: Bob Andersen, a defense contractor and U.S. Air Force veteran who is also a Sarpy County legislative candidate; Rick Nelson, Neb. General Manager, Rural Electric Association; and Allen Geist, Institute for National Strategic Studies, University of Nebraska.
Brig. Gen. Craig Strong speaks during his campaign for adjutant general of the Nebraska National Guard on Friday, May 26, 2023, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Four state senators remain on the committee but do not have voting rights: state Sens. Bosta, Beau Ballard of Lincoln, Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue and Rita of Bellevue Sanders.
In a statement issued after the commission’s first meeting on September 24, Bosta said the value of the commission “cannot be overstated.” He said this aligns Nebraska with the mission and goals of federal partners working to assess and respond to such threats.
“Across the country, we are seeing malicious actors increasingly focus on targeting state and local governments. We have a responsibility to protect Nebraska residents, infrastructure, agriculture and critical systems from threats from foreign adversaries, ” Bosta said.
Strong said many areas of security overlap between departments and levels, but gaps remain.
Kelly noted that Nebraska is home to Offutt Air Force Base and other critical national assets, so it is necessary to “guard against potential vulnerabilities that could allow foreign adversaries to gain a foothold from within.”
Gov. Jim Pillen (left) and Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly, who also serves as director of the state’s Department of Homeland Security. May 26, 2023.
LB 1300 requires the Department of Administrative Services to review critical purchases purchased or supplied within the state’s supply chain and requires the Nebraska Investment Commission to audit and report on all state-administered funds.
The Administrative Services Department’s report is due to Pillen by Nov. 1.
The governor must also produce and release an annual state threat assessment the day before delivering his annual “State of the State” address to the Legislature. By law, the report should include the committee’s unclassified findings, including an overview of significant threats to state or national security, economic security and public safety within and threatening Nebraska.
The committee has the authority to vote whether to produce a confidential report, which will be kept in a secure location determined by the Governor and accessible only with the Governor’s approval.
Pillen said the organization will be the “front line” for identifying potential risks in Nebraska.
“It will work collaboratively with education, military, federal and other partners to best protect our infrastructure, natural resources, economy and way of life,” Pillen said in a statement. “As we think about today’s world “The formation of this committee is critical and will better prepare Nebraska for any situation we may face.”
The committee is expected to meet at least quarterly for the first three years. The meeting is not open to the public.
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