LINCOLN — Governor Jim Pillen has officially appointed members to Nebraska’s “Committee on Pacific Conflict,” which is believed to be the first state-level committee in the nation focused on addressing potential risks from China.
Although Nebraska is centrally located in the United States, far removed from any direct conflicts in the Pacific region, State Senator Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, who sponsored Legislative Bill 1300 on behalf of Pillen this spring, emphasized the importance of preparedness. “Just by preparing here in Nebraska, we are effectively doing our part to prevent a conflict from even starting,” Bostar stated in an interview with the Nebraska Examiner in April.
Legislative Bill 1300, which encompasses the Pacific Conflict Stress Test Act and the Foreign Adversary Contracting Prohibition Act, establishes the 11-member Committee on Pacific Conflict. The bill passed unanimously with a 46-0 vote in April.
The committee consists of seven voting members, including the director of state homeland security, Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly; the director of the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services, Lee Will; the state investment officer, Ellen Hung; and the adjutant general for the Nebraska National Guard, Maj. Gen. Craig Strong. Additionally, Governor Pillen has appointed three experts who have relevant knowledge regarding the threats posed by potential conflicts in the Pacific region. This group includes Bob Andersen, a defense contractor and U.S. Air Force veteran; Rick Nelson, general manager of the Nebraska Rural Electric Association; and Allen Geist from the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska.
Four state senators—Bostar, Beau Ballard of Lincoln, Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, and Rita Sanders of Bellevue—round out the committee but do not hold voting power. Bostar emphasized the committee’s significance after its first meeting on September 24, stating, “Its value can’t be overstated.” He pointed out the increasing targeting of state and local governments by malicious actors, reinforcing the necessity to protect Nebraska’s residents, infrastructure, agriculture, and critical systems.
Lt. Gov. Kelly noted that with critical national assets like Offutt Air Force Base located in Nebraska, it’s vital to close any potential loopholes that could allow foreign adversaries to establish a presence within the state.
As part of LB 1300, the Department of Administrative Services is required to review critical procurements within the state’s supply chain, with a report due to the governor by November 1. The Nebraska Investment Council must audit state-managed funds, with findings expected around October 14. The governor is also mandated to produce an annual state threat assessment, summarizing significant threats to Nebraska’s security and economy.
The committee is authorized to vote on producing a confidential report, which will be stored securely and accessed only with the governor’s approval. Governor Pillen stated that the committee will be “on the front lines” of identifying potential risks to Nebraska. He added, “It will work collaboratively across education, military, federal, and other partners to best secure our infrastructure, natural resources, economy, and way of life.” The committee is scheduled to meet at least quarterly over an initial three-year period, with meetings closed to the public.
Comments