Gov. Pillen convenes Nebraska’s ‘Committee on Pacific Conflict’ against potential risks from China
Gov. Jim Pillen addresses Nebraska's newly formed Committee on Pacific Conflict at its inaugural meeting. Sept. 24, 2024. (Courtesy Office of Gov. Jim Pillen)
LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen has officially appointed the members of Nebraska's "Committee on Pacific Conflict," believed to be the first such state-level committee nationwide to address potential risks from China.
Nebraska is in the center of the United States, thousands of miles away from China or a possible conflict in the land, sea or air of the Pacific Ocean. But State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, who sponsored Legislative Bill 1300 on behalf of Pillen this spring, has said any possible disruption in the United States could be profound.
"Just by preparing here, here in Nebraska, we are in effect doing our part to prevent a conflict from even starting," Bostar told the Nebraska Examiner in April.
LB 1300, which includes the Pacific Conflict Stress Test Act and Foreign Adversary Contracting Prohibition Act, in part creates the 11-member Committee on Pacific Conflict. The law passed in April.
Seven of the members have voting authority on the committee:
The director of state homeland security for Nebraska (Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly).
The director of the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services ( Lee Will ).
The state investment officer (Ellen Hung).
The adjutant general for the Nebraska National Guard (Maj. Gen. Craig Strong).
Three individuals appointed by the governor who have "applicable knowledge" of the threats that a conflict in the Pacific region could pose to Nebraska. At least one person must represent an entity responsible for the operation and maintenance of critical infrastructure in Nebraska.
Pillen has since appointed these three members to the committee: Bob Andersen, a defense contractor and U.S. Air Force veteran who is a legislative candidate in Sarpy County; Rick Nelson, general manager for the Nebraska Rural Electric Association; and Allen Geist of the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska.
Four state senators round out the committee but don't have voting power: State Sens. Bostar, Beau Ballard of Lincoln, Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue and Rita Sanders of Bellevue.
Bostar, in a statement after the committee's first meeting Sept. 24, said the committee's value "can't be overstated." He said it brings Nebraska in line with the mission and objectives of federal partners working to assess and prepare for such threats.
"Across the country, we are seeing an increased focus on the targeting of state and local governments by malicious actors. We have a duty to protect the residents, infrastructure, agriculture and critical systems of Nebraska from threats posed by foreign adversaries," Bostar said.
Strong said many areas of security overlap across departments and levels, but gaps remain.
Kelly noted Nebraska is home to Offutt Air Force Base and other critical national assets, so it's necessary to "safeguard against potential loopholes that might allow foreign adversaries to gain a foothold from within."
LB 1300 requires the Department of Administrative Services to review critical procurements purchased or supplied in the state's supply chain and the Nebraska Investment Council to audit and report on all state-managed funds.
The report from Administrative Services is due to Pillen by Nov. 1. The Investment Council report is due 180 days after the law took effect April 17, so around Oct. 14. Both reports are confidential.
The governor must also produce and publish an annual state threat assessment by the day prior to his annual "State of the State" address to the Legislature. According to the law, the report should include nonconfidential findings of the committee, including an overview of substantial threats to state or national security, economic security and public safety within and threatening Nebraska.
The committee is authorized to vote on whether to produce a confidential report that will be kept in a secure location, as determined by the governor, and accessed only with the governor's approval.
Pillen said the group "will be the front lines" in identifying potential risks to Nebraska.
"It will work collaboratively across education, military, federal and other partners to best secure our infrastructure, our natural resources, our economy and our way of life," Pillen said in a statement. "When we consider the threats posed in the world today, formulation of this committee is critical and will allow Nebraska to be better prepared for any situation we may face."
The committee is slated to meet at least quarterly over an initial three-year period. The meetings are not open to the public.
