"I cannot tell you that every family in our community has clean water to drink and every farmer's field is not contaminated," Saunders County Attorney Joe Dobesh said.

Ricketts said "Nebraskans should be on the lookout in their communities for attempts by federal agencies and their partners to regulate land and water use."

"This amendment protects the integrity of our nation's highest court and ensures that it remains an independent branch of government," Fischer wrote.

Gage County officials said a plan from Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams to appropriate $4 million in state funds toward paying a $28.1 million judgment would help the county shed a heavy tax burden on its citizens.

A separate bill would repeal the sales tax on the use and consumption of residential water. "This is for the people," Sen. Justin Wayne said. "You can buy water from the store and not get taxed, but you get taxed for it at home."

"We have to make sure that it’s easy to vote and hard to cheat," Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen said.