Under a new Nebraska law, Gov. Jim Pillen will have a say in who is hired to lead the agency that regulates Nebraska casinos and horse racing.
The state senator who introduced the bill is one of four finalists for the job.
Sen. John Lowe of Kearney introduced LB839, which lawmakers passed last session.
Even before the bill passed, the governor could appoint members of the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission, subject to confirmation of a majority of the members of the Legislature. The commission employs the executive director.
Under the new law, the director is now "selected by the commission subject to the approval of the Governor."
The new law also says the executive director shall be devoted full time to the duties of the office and shall not engage in any other business or profession or hold any other state public office.
The gaming commission has become increasingly important since 2020, when Nebraska voters approved expanded gambling by allowing casinos at licensed racetracks.
The commission's three-member executive committee — chairman Dennis Lee and members Shane Greckel and Jeffrey GalyenÌý— selected four finalists in June from nine applicants. Besides Lowe, the finalists are Joshua L. Eickmeier, Laurie Holman and Casey Ricketts. All have experience in state government.
Lowe, Holman and Eickmeier have ties to the Legislature's General Affairs Committee, which handles gambling matters. Lowe, who has to leave the Legislature after this year because of term limits, is the committee chairman.
Holman is a research analyst for the committee. In her application letter, Holman said she drafted the legislation on the expansion of horse racing and casino gambling. She formerly worked for the Nebraska Crime Commission.
Eickmeier is executive director for the Nebraska Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board and previously served as legal counsel to the general affairs committee. He's also the mayor of Seward.
Ricketts is the current interim director and the commission's compliance officer. She was appointed interim director in January after former director Tom Sage announced he was retiring.
His retirement came on the heels of controversy. Critics had questioned the commission's purchase last year of 10 short-barrel semiautomatic rifles intended for use by the commission's investigators. The commission subsequently .
Among the applicants passed over by the committee were an operations manager for Caesars Sportsbook in Iowa and a horse racing and gaming professional.
Lee said the committee wanted people who had knowledge or background and experience in a governmental setting. They also wanted people who could lead the growing agency as it ramps up its staffing with the rollout of casinos and racetracks, he said.
"A person who is a good leader can inspire others and recruit people," he said. "The third component was someone who had a familiarity with racing and gaming and how that those two industries intersect within the racing and gaming commission."
He said he expects the executive committee to recommend one of the finalists to the full commission at its July meeting.
Lee said he's comfortable with the additional oversight extended to the governor through the new law.
"I don't have any problem with it," he said. "The reason I don't have any problem with it is that all seven of us, all seven commissioners, if you look at statute, we serve at the pleasure of the governor."