Hearing on LR 148 – Cornhusker Clink

On Friday, September 12, the Nebraska State Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on potential building code violations at the Work Ethic Camp in McCook, which Governor Pillen has proposed turning into a 300-bed ICE detention facility.  If you’re available please consider attending the hearing in person to help show opposition to this project.

The proposed building was originally designed as a 200 bed facility, but is currently staffed to support only 125 people.  Packing in 300 raises serious questions about safety, legality, and accountability – questions Nebraskans deserve answers to.  Everyone is invited to attend this hearing in person or, to submit comments about the opening of it on-line.

Details:

• When/where: Fri, Sept 12, 2025 • 9:00 a.m. CT • Room 1507 (Capitol, Lincoln) — Urban Affairs Committee, LR148
• Why this hearing: Chair Sen. Terrell McKinney announced the LR148 interim hearing to “discuss any potential building code issues” with the proposed ICE facility at WEC.
• Watch/attend: Hearings are livestreamed via Nebraska Public Media / Legislature video; standard sign-in and testimony rules apply.
• NDCS lists Work Ethic Center as a 200-bed minimum-B facility while current operational capacity is ~125 beds.
• The proposal targets housing about 300 detainees, partly by re-purposing multipurpose/activity rooms for housing.

Smart questions or testimony angles (code-focused, nonpartisan)

• Occupancy change: What IBC occupancy classification will the facility use (e.g., I-3 detention)? Has a code analysis been published?
• Life-safety upgrades: Will egress, alarms, sprinklers, smoke control, and cell square-footage/daylight meet standards if multipurpose rooms become housing?
• Capacity math: If WEC’s operational capacity is ~125, what specific construction, staffing, and systems changes justify jumping to ~300? Provide stamped plans/calcs.
• Medical & segregation spaces: Where will medical isolation, ADA-compliant cells, and protective custody be located in the revised layout?
• Inspections & authority: Which agencies (State Fire Marshal, local building official, Jail Standards staff) are reviewing and signing off, and on what timeline?

Logistics

• Agenda entry: Capitol is at 15th & K; public building hours start at 8:00 AM.
  • Accessible entrance & parking: north (K St) side; ramped entrance under the main north stairs; accessible stalls along K St.
  • Capitol hearing rooms include Room 1507 on the 1st Floor of the Capitol.
• How to testify if willing: Sign in at the witness table; bring ~15 copies of written remarks; time limits possible.
• Livestreaming Option: Nebraska Legislature video / Nebraska Public Media.