School discipline was the focus of a bill that nearly made it through the legislative process last year, but it did not reach completion or pass into law.

Two bills aimed at boosting the state’s economy are headed to the state Senate. By a 54 to 3 vote on Monday, the House approved one bill to create a technology and innovation division in the state’s Economic Development Department.

The measure has gained bipartisan support in recent months and overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives.

The Nebraska Legislature on Monday advanced a bill to ban the use of cellphones in public school classrooms. Legislative Bill 140 would require school to adopt policies on the use of electronic communication devices by students.

Nebraska lawmakers gave resounding first-round approval Monday to Gov. Jim Pillen's proposed law that would require every school board in the state to ban the use of cellphones in classrooms.