Happenings in the Nebraska Legislature this week

Legislature convenes, welcomes new members

Unicameral Update - January 8, 2025

Twenty-five members were sworn into office Jan. 8 as the 109th Nebraska Legislature convened for its 90-day first session. That number comprises six re-elected members and 19 newly elected senators — including two who had been appointed and one nonincumbent who is returning after previously serving in the Legislature.

Sen. John Arch of La Vista was re-elected as speaker of the Legislature. Among other duties, the speaker prepares the Legislature’s daily agenda and serves as its presiding officer in the absence of the lieutenant governor.

Arch, who was unopposed, told lawmakers he would “continue to be fair and respectful of every member’s opinions and do my best to cultivate an environment that supports solution-driven debate and allows us to properly represent the citizens of this great state.”

Four lawmakers were elevated to leadership positions for the first time as senators elected chairpersons of the Legislature’s 14 standing committees.

They voted 31-18 to elect Omaha Sen. Kathleen Kauth over Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha to serve as chairperson of the Business and Labor Committee.

Gering Sen. Brian Hardin prevailed over Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, by a 28-21 vote, to become chairperson of the Health and Human Services Committee.

Lawmakers chose Lincoln Sen. Beau Ballard to serve as chairperson of the Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee. He edged out Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln on a vote of 25-24.

Elkhorn Sen. R. Brad von Gillern defeated Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln to lead the Revenue Committee on a 29-15 vote.

The former chairperson of the Health and Human Services Committee, Blair Sen. Ben Hansen, was unopposed in his bid to serve as chairperson of the Executive Board, which oversees legislative services and employees.

Also elected as chairpersons in uncontested races were: Niobrara Sen. Barry DeKay to the Agriculture Committee; North Platte Sen. Mike Jacobson to the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee; Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue to the General Affairs Committee; Bellevue Sen. Rita Sanders to the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee; Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln to the Judiciary Committee; and Plymouth Sen. Tom Brandt to the Natural Resources Committee.

Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil was re-elected chairperson of the Education Committee, defeating Seward Sen. Jana Hughes on a vote of 29-20.

The chairpersons of three other committees also remain the same as last year, with the following lawmakers re-elected in uncontested races: Sen. Robert Clements of Elmwood to the Appropriations Committee; Columbus Sen. Mike Moser to the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee; and Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha to the Urban Affairs Committee.

Lawmakers this session will create a two-year state budget while facing a projected $433 million revenue shortfall by the end of the biennium. They also are expected to focus on tax policy and education funding reform.

Senators may introduce bills for the first 10 legislative days, or through Jan. 22. The 2025 session is tentatively scheduled to end June 9.

New Faces in the Legislature

There are 16 new faces in the legislature in 2025, plus one returning term limited senator. For more information, please visit the Full Senator List.

Breaking down contested committee chair races in the Nebraska Legislature

January 7, 2025

As state lawmakers reconvene for the 109th Nebraska Legislature, one of their first tasks will be selecting leadership in at least six contested races to chair legislative committees. Continue reading from Nebraska Examiner.

Final Report of 2025 Legislative Committees

Speaker Arch Announces 2025 Key Session Dates & Important Information

January 9, 2025

Please note that until full day floor debate begins, we will convene the first day of the work week at 10:00a.m. (unless otherwise announced) and we will convene at 9:00 a.m. on the other days of the week.

If bad weather necessitates a time change, members of the Legislature will be notified and the change will be announced via the Legislature's website.

Legislature convenes, welcomes new members

January 8, 2025

Twenty-five members were sworn into office Janu. 8 as the 109th Nebraska Legislature convened for its 90-day first session. That number comprises six re-elected members and 19 newly elected senators - including two who has been appointed and one nonincumbent who is returning after previously serving in Legislature. Continue reading from Unicameral Update.

First day of 2025 Nebraska Legislature underscores conservative stronghold

January 8, 2025

The conservative stronghold on the officially nonpartisan Nebraska Legislature became clearer Wednesday, as state lawmakers chose Republicans for the top leadership sports on all but one of 17 key legislative committees. Continue reading from Nebraska Examiner.

Bill introduction begins

January 9, 2025

Senators reconvened Jan. 9 to begin introduction of new bills.

Among the 81 measures introduced were:

LB3, sponsored by Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City, which would change provisions relating to selection of presidential electors;

LB6, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Carolyn Bosn, which would provide for a penalty enhancement for a controlled substances violation resulting in serious bodily injury or death;

LB9, sponsored by Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, which would change provisions relating to cigarette taxes and the Tobacco Products Tax Act and provide for regulation of products containing nicotine analogues;

LB12, introduced by Lincoln Sen. George Dungan, which would change the statute of limitations on certain civil actions for sexual assault of a child;

LB27, sponsored by Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln, which would change provisions of the Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act;

LB49, introduced by Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney, which would provide for a model ban and bar policy for school districts;

LB53, sponsored by Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, which would provide criminal and civil immunity for pregnancy outcomes;

LB63, introduced by Plymouth Sen. Tom Brandt, which would redefine terms relating to sports wagering under the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act;

LB73, sponsored by Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara, which would change the number of hours of annual continuing education required for law enforcement officers; and

LB77, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Eliot Bostar, which would adopt the Ensuring Transparency in Prior Authorization Act.

A complete list of bills introduced thus far is available at NebraskaLegislature.gov. New bills may be introduced for the first 10 legislative days, or until Jan. 22.

Day three bill introduction

Senators reconvened Jan. 10 to continue introduction of new bills.

January 8, 2025

Among the 51 measures introduced were:

LB84, sponsored by Sen. Victor Rountree of Bellevue, which would adopt the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact;

LB89, introduced by Omaha Sen. Kathleen Kauth, which would adopt the Stand with Women Act;

LB98, sponsored by Sen. Mike Moser of Columbus, which would redefine all-terrain vehicle and utility-type vehicle in the Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Act, the Motor Vehicle Registration Act and the Nebraska Rules of the Road;

LB99, introduced by Omaha Sen. Ashlei Spivey, which would limit use of restrictive housing and solitary confinement;

LB103, sponsored by Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington, which would change Nebraska Evidence Rules to prohibit questions relating to past sexual behavior or sexual assaults in pretrial proceedings;

LB111, introduced by Grand Island Sen. Dan Quick, which would prohibit certain actions of insurers relating to repairing motor vehicles and nonoriginal equipment manufacturer parts;

LB117, sponsored by Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, which would provide a sales and use tax exemption for electricity, natural gas, propane and sewer utilities;

LB122, introduced by Pender Sen. Glen Meyer, which would require display of the state and national motto in schools;

LB127, sponsored by Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst, which would provide for damages for defendants who are found not guilty or whose cases are dismissed or overturned; and

LR7CA, introduced by Adams Sen. Myron Dorn, a proposed constitutional amendment to change legislative salaries to $30,000 annually.

A complete list of bills introduced thus far is available at NebraskaLegislature.gov. New bills may be introduced for the first 10 legislative days, or until Jan. 22.

Bills of Interest (coming next week)