We’re back! It’s been a very busy two-week period at the Nebraska Legislature. We’ve testified against harmful anti-trans bills and in support of survivors of gender-based violence, paid leave and medical autonomy for pregnant teens. I continue to be amazed by the strength of our community in the face of relentless attacks; you continue to show up, share your stories, and advocate for yourselves and your neighbors. This work is hard and exhausting, but I’m proud of you all for continuing to work to make Nebraska the Good Life for all.
RECENT UPDATES
✅ LB 110 (Sen. Jana Hughes) would ensure that health care providers cannot perform pelvic exams on an unconscious person without prior consent. This bill is carryover from last session, passed first round of debate and moved to Select File with an amendment from the Health and Human Services Committee that would add new language that aligns with the original bill and introduces a definition of “intimate examination.” As we testified last year, informed consent is best practice for medical treatment, and we support this bill.
✅ LB 751 (Sen. Ashlei Spivey), with a hearing just a couple weeks ago, would require a study to improve the reporting and investigation of missing Black women and children. More than 600 Black women and children have gone missing in the last five years. This bill will help to identify solutions and has already passed its first round of floor debate and moved to Select File with a vote of 41-0!
❌ LB 258 (Sen. Jane Raybould) is back as it has been prioritized this session by Sen. Paul Strommen. We remain opposed to LB 258 as it will limit the minimum wage increase passed by voters in 2022 and already in effect for workers across our state. The bill would also create a sub-minimum wage for anyone under 20. This bill failed last year on the final round of debate, but senators have revived it with political gamesmanship and rules changes. Now, LB 258 will once again be up for debate soon. Contact your senator today to oppose LB 258.
❌ LB 669 (Sen. Tonya Storer) is another carryover bill that has been prioritized this session by Senator Dan Lonowski and been debated the past few days by the full body. This bill will further restrict abortion services by requiring patients to go through invasive questioning based on the false assumption that those who seek abortion care are coerced. We oppose this bill and urge you to contact your senator with your opposition.
UPCOMING HEARINGS
Committee hearings happen each afternoon. Make your plan now to attend in person or stream the hearings online. If you can’t attend to testify, you can submit online comments for the record by 8 am the day of the hearing. Here’s where we’ll be the next two weeks ⬇️
✅ LB 773 (Sen. George Dungan) eliminates a sunset date for the Prenatal Plus Program and adds a minimum of two breastfeeding support sessions. Originally introduced and passed in 2024, the program provides Medicaid-eligible mothers, who are also high-risk, with additional health services, such as mental health support and substance use treatment, to improve outcomes for both mothers and their children. It is set to sunset, or terminate, in June 2028, but LB 773 would extend coverage through the 60th day postpartum. The bill will be heard by the Health and Human Services Committee. Add your comment of support by 8 am the day of the hearing.
❌ LB 926 (Sen. Bob Andersen) removes extreme hardship assistance for low-income programs. This bill would shorten the window of financial assistance from 60 to 36 months and eliminate transition assistance, such as child care and health care access, for families moving into new jobs. It also eliminates extreme hardship assistance that applies to exceptional circumstances such as domestic violence or a health crisis. Essentially, LB 926 targets Nebraska’s most vulnerable by almost entirely eliminating any access to support that allows them to stabilize in times of severe financial need. The bill will be heard by the Health and Human Services Committee. Add your online comment in opposition by 8 am.
✅ LB 1088 (Sen. Jane Raybould) requires domestic violence offenders to surrender firearms. Half of domestic abuse-related deaths in Nebraska involve a firearm, as reported by the Domestic Abuse Death Review Team. Prevention is not only possible but necessary to ensure that every Nebraskan can live a life free from gender-based violence. The bill will be heard by the Judiciary Committee. Submit your comment in support by 8 am on Friday.
❌ LB 1013 (Sen. Ben Hansen) removes gendered statutory language around our youth rehabilitation and treatment centers. This is part of a plan to allow the department to specifically move girls to the Kearney facility, which has a publicly documented history of issues ranging from poor facilities, inadequate staffing, problematic relationships with local community and most recently serious sexual abuse allegations against staff. These moves come at a cost to the state at a time when the budget is in deep deficit with no plans to improve or even consider the rehabilitative obligations of these facilities for vulnerable young people, putting the girls being moved to the crumbling Kearney facility at serious risk. The bill will be heard by the Health and Human Services Committee. Add your comment in opposition by 8 am the day of the hearing.
✅ LB 1089 (Sen. Jana Hughes) reinstates the ability for employees to take legal action against employers who violate their right to earned paid sick leave, originally included in the ballot initiative passed by 75% of voters in November 2024 before being removed by lawmakers last year. This bill will be heard by the Business and Labor Committee. Submit your comments online in support of this worker’s right.
CONTINUE TO USE YOUR VOICE
The state of the world is overwhelming right now. Please don’t let that stop you from getting involved. Take just five minutes out of your day to contact your senator and let them know your position on bills impacting you. Your stories and voice truly help shape the future of our communities. Join us in helping to create a state where everyone can thrive.
→ Call or Email Your Senator
→ Submit An Online Comment
→ Amplify Your Advocacy Online
If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out!