LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska lawmakers have passed a bill to help the state collect online sales taxes in an effort to capture millions of dollars lost every year from consumers who haven’t been paying the tax.

The measure won final approval in the Legislature Friday on a 43-0 vote. It would go into effect on April 1 if the governor signs it.

The Nebraska Department of Revenue has already told online businesses to start collecting sales taxes on orders placed within the state, but there wasn’t a formal law in place.

Sen. John McCollister, of Omaha, the bill’s sponsor, says it’s intended to level the playing field between online retailers and brick-and-mortar shops.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that states can tax online sales from out-of-state businesses.

Governor Pete Ricketts, Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) officials and partner agencies hosted a press conference to provide an update on the current flooding and severe weather impacting the state.  The agencies are continuing to monitor conditions, fielding calls from citizens and community partners, and providing information and resources to keep citizens safe.

“As snow and rain pass, many communities have experienced devastating flooding.  This could last for quite some time,” said Governor Ricketts.  “Nebraskans should watch the weather and waterways in their communities closely in the coming days, and be prepared for historic levels of flooding even if it has not hit their community yet.  As Nebraskans know, conditions can change quickly, and everyone needs to be prepared.”

Following a declaration of emergency Tuesday evening, NEMA opened the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) in response to hazardous conditions caused by blizzards and flooding impacting the majority of the state.

NEMA staff and partners began working 24-hours-a-day in the SEOC at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.  The SEOC will remain open as needed.  NEMA is tracking conditions across the state, responding to requests for assistance from local emergency managers and developing a common operating picture to keep local officials aware of the situation.

The SEOC is staffed by officials from NEMA, the State Patrol, Department of Health and Human Services, Fire Marshal, Department of Transportation, Department of Natural Resources, the Military Department, and other agencies.

Flight operations will begin Friday as weather permits.  Be advised that if you are using a drone, use caution and keep away from operational flights near rivers.

Safety and Security: Evacuations are taking place throughout the state including:

• Randolph
• Norfolk
• Beemer
• Cedar Rapids
• Belgrade
• Dannebrog
• St. Edward
• Genoa
• Northern Butler County
• Horseshoe Lake
• Inglewood
• Eastern Richardson County

The Washington County Sherriff has ordered a mandatory evacuation of the eastern portion of the County.  The Reception Center in Fremont is available for shelter.

The Nebraska National Guard has deployed multiple high-water vehicles and Army National Guard Soldiers to both Norfolk and Genoa to assist with stranded individuals and evacuations.  Sandbagging is being done throughout the state.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has had requests for 22,000 sandbags.  Three million are available.

Nine Lincoln Urban Search and Rescue members have been deployed to Columbus.  Five to 20 people and five dogs on a list for rescue in Columbus.  A family with a child is the priority.  Buffalo County Emergency Management deputy was hit by a vehicle while taking photos.  His condition is unknown

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to coordinate efforts.  Currently, we have two individuals that are unaccounted for and one confirmed fatality in Platte County.  Details involving the fatality will be released at a later time.

Food, Water, Sheltering: As of midnight Wednesday, 103 people have been placed in Red Cross and partner shelters.  Red Cross updates counts at midnight each day.  Shelters are open in the following places:

• Green Hills Area Education Agency, 919 N. Chestnut Street, Avoca, Iowa
• Salem United Methodist Church, 14955 Somerset Avenue, Council Bluffs, Iowa
• First Lutheran Church, 3200 Military Avenue, Fremont, Nebraska
• Community Center, 112 S, B Street, North Loup, Nebraska
• Randolph City Auditorium, 110 N. Main Street, Randolph, Nebraska
• United Methodist Church, 512 S. Scott Street, St. Francis, Kansas
• CNR Center, 614 Delaware Street, Boelus, Nebraska
• Lutheran High School, 2010 N. 37^th Street, Norfolk, Nebraska

Several towns are experiencing disruptions in water service including Butte, Verdigre, and Niobrara.

Energy (Power & Fuel): There are currently no reported power outages in the state.  Cooper Nuclear Station is at 100 percent power.  Officials there are having rock brought in to reinforce the south access road and are evaluating the situation continuously.  There are no reported damages to pipelines.

BROWNVILLE, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska utility is adding sandbags to the levee that protects its nuclear power plant along the swollen Missouri River.

Nebraska Public Power District spokesman Mark Becker told the Omaha World-Herald on Thursday that if the river hits the level of 45.5 feet (13.9 meters) projected by the National Weather Services this weekend, the plant would have to be shut down.

At 43.5 feet (13.3 meters) workers will start barricading internal doorways and take other precautions. During the historic summer flooding in 2011, Cooper sandbagged and barricaded the doorways but kept functioning.

Becker says the district will get power through its own facilities or through a power-sharing network if Cooper’s power generation must halt.

The plant sits near Brownville about 59 miles (95.5 kilometers) south of Omaha.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers are starting to shape a property tax package that could include an income tax cut as well as a tobacco tax increase and a sales tax imposed candy and soft drinks.

Members of the Revenue Committee floated the ideas Thursday during an executive session. The plan would provide more than $509 million in its first year to reduce the amount home- and landowners have to pay in property taxes.

Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, the committee’s chairwoman, says the income tax cut could help build enough support to pass the measure. Property tax measures have stalled over the last several years.

The package could include an increase in tobacco taxes. It also might eliminate sales tax exemptions for zoos, soft drinks and candy.

Due to the combination of blizzard and flood conditions, and accessibility of many roadways across the state, Nebraska Public Power District’s response to power outages will be limited.

Crews are currently limited in responding to outages due to blizzard conditions in the western Panhandle of the state while the eastern half of the state crews are dealing with closed roadways due to flooding conditions. Restoration efforts will continue but under the current conditions will be difficult for crews to reach many areas in a timely manner, and those customers affected should remain patient. Please do not venture into standing or rushing water for your safety.

Also, due to flooding and evacuation conditions, NPPD’s call center has been temporarily relocated with focused support on outage restoration. If you have an NPPD power outage, please utilize NPPD’s mobile application or automated telephone system (877-ASK-NPPD or 877-275-6773) to record your NPPD power outage. For all other billing and payment needs, please utilize NPPD’s ‘My Account’ on-line services at www.nppd.com for the next few days to accommodate support of power outages.

The North Platte Police Department arrested three people on drugs and weapons charges after receiving an anonymous tip via Crimestoppers.

DENVER (AP) — About 1,000 flights into Denver have been canceled as a winter storm hits the western U.S., with blizzard conditions expected to engulf parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska and South Dakota.

School was canceled Wednesday in many places where up to more than a foot (30 centimeters) of snow and winds as high as 80 mph (129 kmh) was possible.

State and local government workers in Denver and Wyoming were told to stay home and many colleges also closed for the day.

Parts of Interstates 80 and 25 were closed in Wyoming because of heavy snow and whiteout conditions.

Heavy snow was falling in northern Arizona and forecasters say dangerous winds in New Mexico are expected to make travel hazardous across much of the state.

With the predicted blizzard moving into Nebraska this morning, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) will be closing westbound I-80 at Ogallala at 10:00 a.m. MDT or 11:00 a.m. CDT. Travel on secondary roads west of Ogallala is not advised.

Travelers are advised to be alert, be aware and check the most up to date travel conditions and closures available through 511, Nebraska’s Advanced Traveler Information System. The system is available at all times via phone by, online at www.511.nebraska.gov, Nebraska 511’s smartphone app or by dialing 511.

Travelers are also encouraged to utilize NDOT’s Plow Tracker at https://plows.nebraska.gov/index.html where the public will be able to observe road conditions in real time from the cabs of NDOT snowplows.

Please note that weather conditions are often worse than they appear on camera.

Motorists are reminded to make sure everyone in their vehicle wears a seat belt and children are in a car safety seat. Do not use cruise control in wet or snowy weather and keep a full gas tank.

For safe-driving tips and winter weather information, visit NDOT’s website, http://dot.nebraska.gov/safety/driving/winter/

As a reminder, the NSP Highway Helpline is available 24 hours per day for motorists in need of assistance. Drivers can reach NSP by dialing *55 from any cell phone. Call 911 for any emergency