By Russ Pankonin
    The Imperial Republican
     Senator Mark Christensen's water bill will likely be ranked among the top bills tackled by the Legislature this session.
     In addition, the bill will have significant impact on water issues in the state for years to come.
     Not a bad accomplishment for a freshman senator.
     Four of Christensen's other bills are still being held in committee, with two slated for interim studies during the summer.
     LB 694 seeks to authorize planning for a parking facility near the capitol and remains held in committee.
     LB 695 would limit the power of cities to regulate the carrying of concealed handguns. It has been indefinitely postponed in committee but an interim study is planned on the issue.
     LB 696 would provide a fee increase and a waiting period for marriage licenses if marriage education requirements are not met. That bill remains in committee.
     LB 700 addresses a ban on human cloning. This bill was originally forwarded out of committee but before the bill was advanced, a committee member changed his vote, holding it in committee.
     However, an interim study on this issue is also planned.
     Speaker Mike Flood noted many freshman senators have made an impact in their first session, with Christensen's involvement in LB 701 as evidence.
     He said it's proof that despite term limits, Nebraskans have elected good young senators to the Legislature.