Latest News from the Governor's Office

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Signs Emergency Regulations Guiding Implementation of Medical Cannabis

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has approved emergency regulations adopted by the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission during its most recent meeting on June 26. Rules are required today (July 1) for the Commission to be able to accept or deny applications for registration. The rules, presented to Gov. Pillen following the meeting, were signed on Sunday, June 29, after his review.

Also at the June 26 meeting, the Commission entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Governor’s Policy and Research office and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to assist with legal and administrative processes during the creation of the permanent rules, which are due Oct. 1.  Gov. Pillen said the participation of those agencies will ensure Nebraska’s new cannabis industry is properly regulated as outlined in the ballot initiatives passed by voters and signed by him into law.

Below is the link to the signed emergency regulations on the Secretary of State’s website:

 Emergency Regulations PDF

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Appoints Janee Pannkuk as Chairperson of Nebraska Board of Parole

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Dr. Janee Pannkuk of Omaha as chairperson of the Nebraska Board of Parole. Her six-year term on the five-person board starts July 1.

Dr. Pannkuk has more than 30 years of experience in the justice system, including a significant amount of time advocating for and developing programs to support youth in Douglas County.  For the last three years, she has held roles within the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS), first as assistant warden at the Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility (NCYF) and most recently, as the assistant deputy director for reentry services.

For five years, Dr. Pannkuk was executive director of Operation Youth Success. Using research, data analysis and input from more than 200 community stakeholders, she helped develop and implement a plan across Douglas County to reduce the number of justice-involved juveniles. Prior to that, Pannkuk led the start-up Impact One Community Connection, a non-profit/private partnership also aimed at addressing the needs and resources of vulnerable youth.

Dr. Pannkuk received her undergraduate degree in education from Dana College. She has a master’s degree in public administration and a PhD in human capital management, both from Bellevue University.

The Board of Parole is an independent agency primarily responsible for determining if and when offenders are released on parole, setting parole conditions and revoking parole for violations. The Board regularly reviews the status of committed offenders, visits correctional facilities and advises the Board of Pardons.

Currently serving members of the Board of Parole include Layne Gissler, Mark Langan, Habib Olomi and Jeffrey Bucher. Dr. Pannkuk assumes the vacancy left by Rosalyn Cotton, who retired from the Board June 6.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Husker Football Coach Matt Rhule to Headline Governor’s Summit in August

Register for the 2025 Governor’s Summit at govsummit.nebraska.gov.

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen announced that Matt Rhule, head football coach for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will keynote the Governor’s Summit the morning of August 14 in Kearney.

“Coach Rhule loves Nebraska because — it's the people! He is Nebraska and he brings positive energy, grit, determination and passion to leading young men," said Gov. Pillen. "It's exciting for us to have him at this year's Summit to inspire all of us to be more than we believe we can be."

Rhule is entering his third season as the Nebraska’s head coach in 2025, having led the Huskers to victory in the Pinstripe Bowl to close out the 2024 season. He has 12 years of experience as a head coach, including nine years in the college ranks and three seasons as the head coach of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. Highly regarded as a program builder and player developer, Rhule led successful turnarounds of the programs at Baylor and Temple and has improved Nebraska’s record in each of his first two seasons in Lincoln. A native of New York City, Rhule earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Penn State and his master's degree in educational psychology from Buffalo. He and his wife Julie have three children, Bryant, Vivienne and Leona.

The 2025 Governor’s Summit officially kicks off on Wednesday night, Aug. 13, with a reception and banquet hosted by the Nebraska Diplomats. Thursday, Aug. 14, is the primary day of the Governor’s Summit. It features remarks from Gov. Pillen, a keynote from Husker Coach Rhule, a full slate of breakout sessions, and the inaugural Governor’s Youth Summit.

To register for the Diplomats Banquet and Governor’s Summit, visit govsummit.nebraska.gov. Students may sign up for the Youth Summit at https://govsummit.nebraska.gov/youth/

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Celebrates Passage of Bill to Protect Against Influence of Foreign Adversaries

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen celebrated passage of LB644, brought on his behalf by Senator Eliot Bostar. During the news conference, the Governor signed ceremonial copies of the bill. He officially signed the legislation into law on June 4.

LB644 creates two new acts: the Foreign Adversary and Terrorist Agent Registration Act and the Crush Transnational Repression in Nebraska Act. Together, the acts are aimed at knowing who represents foreign adversaries within the state, curbing the information and/or data they may access or distribute, as well as providing protection against tactics that could be utilized by such organizations to cause undue influence or harm. Reporting requirements and penalties for violations are outlined within each Act.

“Iran, China, Russia, North Korea, Cuba and the Maduro regime in Venezuela are all designated as foreign adversaries by the U.S. Government,” said Gov. Pillen. “They do not have our best interests at heart and as a result, we need to take appropriate steps to make sure that as a state, we are protected.”

LB644 represents the latest of several executive and legislative actions that Gov. Pillen has authorized since taking office – all aimed at making sure state assets including infrastructure, land, technology and people are protected.

“In today’s world, the means of getting access, of getting information, and crippling our most critical systems is easier than ever, which is why we are highly focused on addressing these issues,” continued Gov. Pillen.

Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly, who serves as the state’s director of homeland security, called attention to several of the executive orders and bills signed by Gov. Pillen over the two previous legislative sessions -- including LB683 and LB1301 -- both brought Sen. Bostar. Those bills, respectively, address the protection of communications equipment and prohibit companies from adversarial countries bidding on state and local procurement contracts.

“This year, primarily, the legislation is focused on guarding against foreign adversarial influence operations,” said Bostar. “We have some existing transparency requirements for those who would seek to influence policy in the state of Nebraska, but not enough. It doesn’t prohibit the circumvention of full transparency over interests that would be adversarial to the interests of Nebraskans.”

Michael Lucci, founder and CEO of State Armor, pointed to Nebraska’s leadership among other states when it comes to addressing national security issues.

“Resilience is the key topic for states to address -- being ready for potential conflict, being ready to counter political warfare -- this is a part of resilience,” noted Lucci.

State Armor works alongside states to identify solutions to global security issues and was founded following the introduction of LB683 in 2023.

“One of the first things when our organization was founded was to tell states, ‘do what Nebraska did.’  And we have not stopped conveying that message.”  

Lucci commended Nebraska lawmakers on taking a bipartisan approach to legislation aimed at protecting the state and signaled it was the approach President Trump and other federal officials want to see.  

Major General Craig Strong, adjutant general for the Nebraska National Guard and director of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) remarked that in his dual role, homeland security was top of mind.

“Our adversaries can reach out at us through many different methods, and not just through the traditional, conventional munitions, but by way of cyber-attack, satellite imagery and other vectors that we have to be aware of, such as drones,” said MG Strong. “This bill clearly helps us maintain the level of awareness and readiness that are important elements of our state emergency response plans, particularly as it relates to Nebraska’s homeland defense.

 Also attending today’s news conference and ceremonial bill signing were senators Beau Ballard, Barry DeKay and Brian Hardin.

 Links to executive orders, legislation and letters signed by Gov. Pillen to protect the state against foreign adversaries can be found below.

https://governor.nebraska.gov/press/gov-pillen-joins-letter-calling-halt-foreign-land-grabs

https://governor.nebraska.gov/press/governor-pillen-senators-push-back-against-foreign-adversaries

https://governor.nebraska.gov/press/gov-pillen-senators-and-dept-ag-present-laws-protect-nebraska-foreign-adversaries-during-news

https://governor.nebraska.gov/gov-pillen-signs-executive-order-banning-more-ccp-tech

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Announces Resignation of DED Director Belitz

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced the resignation of K.C. Belitz, director of the Department of Economic Development (DED). His final day with the state is July 18.

Belitz, appointed to oversee the agency in July 2023, led the implementation of several new initiatives like Read Nebraska, 6 Regions, One Nebraska and the Governor’s New Venture Competition. He also oversaw the review and issuance of hundreds of millions of dollars in grants through state and local programs aimed at revitalizing key areas of Nebraska, including north and south Omaha, but also including smaller cities and rural communities.

“K.C. is a committed public servant, whose entire career has been about growing local communities and growing Nebraska,” said Gov. Pillen. “Over the past two years, he has been a positive champion for bringing new business to the state and fostering relationships that will allow Nebraska to continue attracting companies involved in the bioeconomy, manufacturing, technology and other industries. I appreciate all that K.C. has done as director of DED and wish him the very best in all future endeavors.”

“It has been a pleasure to serve Gov. Pillen and the people of Nebraska in this role,” said Beliz. “It has afforded me the chance to meet stakeholders across Nebraska who care deeply about their communities, making investments and creating opportunities so that families can raise their kids, have great careers, and thrive in their home state. That has been immensely satisfying, and I’m appreciative of those many relationships.”

An announcement as to interim leadership for DED, as well as the search for a permanent director, will be made at a later date.