LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

The Nebraska Rural Electric Association maintains a highly engaged government relations program to ensure that elected policy makers and state and federal agencies have a comprehensive understanding of the unique needs of rural public power districts and electric cooperatives. NREA government relations staff establish and maintain working relationships with state and federal elected officials and their staff as well as state and federal agencies whose policies and programs impact the rural electric industry and electric consumers in Nebraska and the nation.

NREA Government Relations staff serve as registered state lobbyists acting on behalf of NREA’s member-systems at the Unicameral. NREA’s Legislative Committee and the NREA Board of Directors provide guidance on the positions of the Association.

Key components of legislative affairs efforts include researching and reviewing introduced legislation and studies, and researching and drafting legislative bills, amendments and studies on behalf of NREA members. NREA staff identify and monitor legislation impacting the Association’s member-systems, appear before legislative committees, and represent the rural electric industry point of view to elected officials. Ongoing education of elected officials is an important aspect of the legislative and government relations program. Staff provide regular reports to member-systems on all state and federal activities. Weekly updates are provided during the Unicameral’s legislative session.

NREA maintains strong working relationships with the Nebraska Congressional Delegation and works cooperatively with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) legislative staff to coordinate federal legislative activities.

NREA sponsors two legislative trips for our member-systems to engage with our Congressional members in Washington, D.C. The spring trip is in conjunction with the NRECA’s Legislative Confernce and a fall trip is organized independently.

While NREA maintains a daily presence at the Unicameral and maintains regular engagement with our Congressional members, it is the grassroots support from our individual member-system’s directors, employees, and customers that supports our ultimate success. The Grassroots Program is an important aspect of the legislative affairs and government relations programing.

NREA is the sponsor for the Nebraska Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE) which is a state political action committee (PAC) to provide support to state and local elected officials that support the efforts of rural electrification in Nebraska. Nebraska ACRE is associated with the NRECA national ACRE PAC, which supports Congressional candidates. The NE ACRE Governing Committee directs how contributions are made within the state.