Photos: 2023 Nebraska legislative session
Following along with photos from the 2022 Nebraska legislative session.
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The Nebraska Legislature reconvened on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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The 108th Nebraska Legislature convened for its first session on Wednesday, when a Republican-led effort to adopt public voting for leadership positions was postponed to another day.
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Sen. John Arch speaks before unanimously being voted in as the new speaker of the Legislature.
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Nebraska State Sen. John Arch speaks before unanimously being voted in as the new Speaker of the Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska Chief Justice Michael G. Heavican swears in Nebraska State Sen. John Arch as the new Speaker of the Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Brad Von Gillern on the legislative floor as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Beau Ballard (right) shakes hands with Nebraska Chief Justice Michael G. Heavican as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Barry DeKay (right) speaks to State Sen. Rick Holdcroft as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Danielle Conrad speaks to State Sen. to Tony Vargas as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Brandon Metzler is the newly elected Clerk of the Nebraska Legislature. The Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Lynne Walz nominates herself to be the chair of the Education Committee as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday.
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Nebraska State Sen. Teresa Ibach (left) congratulates State Sen. Merv Riepe after being elected to Business and Labor Committee Chairperson as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday.
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Nebraska State Sen. Brian Hardin on the legislative floor as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Brian Hardin on the legislative floor as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln on the legislative floor as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Jan. 4.
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Nebraska State Sen. Jana Hughes on the legislative floor as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Teresa Ibach on the legislative floor as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha (right) hugs Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont after she lost the vote for Education Committee chairperson at the beginning of the 2023 session.
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Nebraska State Sen. Lou Linehan on the legislative floor as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
Sen. Beau Ballard
Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln has introduced a bill to appropriate $25 million in general fund tax dollars to begin planning for an East Beltway.
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Nebraska State Sen. Lynne Walz nominates herself to be the chair of the Education Committee as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday.
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Nebraska State Sen. George Dungan on the legislative floor as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Tom Brewer on the legislative floor as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Rita Sanders on the legislative floor as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska Sen. Dave Murman has introduced a bill to limit the pay and benefits for Nebraska's top-paid school superintendents.
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Nebraska State Sen. Lynne Walz lost the vote for Education Committee Chairperson as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday.
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Nebraska State Sen. Tom Brewer on the legislative floor as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska state senators tally votes for the Education Committee Chairperson as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday.
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Nebraska State Sen. Loren Lippincott on the legislative floor as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Justin Wayne on the legislative floor as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Lynne Walz nominates herself to be the chair of the Education Committee as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday.
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Nebraska State Sen. Rick Holdcroft on the legislative floor as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Robert Dover on the legislative floor as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Tony Vargas speaks to State Sen. Teresa Ibach as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Jane Raybould writes at her desk as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Brandon Metzler is the newly elected Clerk of the Nebraska Legislature. The Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington stands for a prayer as the Legislature reconvened Jan. 4.
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The Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Jane Raybould (left) speaks with State Sen. Robert Dover as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Megan Hunt speaks as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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The Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. John Fredrickson says goodbye to his family after getting sworn in as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Newly elected Clerk of the Legislature Brandon Metzler collects votes as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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The Nebraska Legislature reconvened on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Newly elected Clerk of the Legislature Brandon Metzler speaks as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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State senators speak as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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State senators speak as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Christy Armendariz (left) and State Sen. Wendy DeBoer shake hands with other state senators after getting sworn in as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2022.
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Nebraska State Sen. Robert Dover (left) speaks with State Sen. Danielle Conrad (center) and State Sen. Jane Raybould as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2022.
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Nebraska State Sen. Kathleen Kauth speaks to other senators as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska state senators are sworn in as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska state senators are sworn in as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Christy Armendariz (right) hugs State Sen. Kathleen Kauth after getting sworn in as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Barry DeKay is sworn in as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. John Fredrickson shakes hands with other state senators after getting sworn in as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh sits with her family as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. John Fredrickson stands with his family before getting sworn in as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh sits with her family as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Newly elected Clerk of the Legislature Brandon Metzler (right) speaks with Nebraska State Sen. Christy Armendariz as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2022.
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Nebraska State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan shakes hands with State Sen. Rick Holdcroft as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Christy Armendariz stands for the Pledge of Allegiance as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha stands with his family on the first day of the 2023 legislative session on Jan. 4, 2023.
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The Nebraska Legislature reconvened on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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Nebraska State Sen. Julie Slama speaks with other senators as the Nebraska Legislature reconvened in Lincoln on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
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The Nebraska Legislature reconvened on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
A 90,000-square-foot activity center, a handful of museums and multiple career centers were among 35 Omaha-based projects recommended to receive a combined $225 million.
The latest attempt to increase Nebraska's abortion restrictions is on its way to the Legislature, this time focused on the heavily debated terminology commonly referred to as the "fetal heartbeat."
An Omaha lawmaker is proposing citizen police oversight boards with staff investigators for Omaha and Lincoln, along with other law enforcement accountability measures.
A constitutional amendment introduced in the Nebraska Legislature Friday would give voters the opportunity to eliminate the State Board of Education.
Multiple bills are in the works in the Nebraska Legislature that were influenced by a 63-page report released recently detailing the state's top housing needs.
One of the final bills introduced in the Nebraska Legislature would allow doctors and other medical providers to deny non-emergency health care to patients if they morally disagreed with it.
More than 8,000 Nebraska state employees would see the highest salary increases in more than 35 years under a tentative two-year contract agreement negotiated through their union.
Nebraskans gathered in the Capitol Friday to urge the restoration of voting rights for felons without the current two-year waiting period.
Military veterans could become K-12 teachers without going through teacher training under a legislative proposal that drew pro and con testimony at a public hearing Monday.
A bill encouraging a moment of silence in schools spurred debate about religion in public education, despite claims from a state senator that it wasn't the bill's intent.
Nearly two years after a frozen pipe broke at the AltEn ethanol plant and contaminated Saunders County waterways, a Nebraska lawmaker is trying to give victims more time to sue.
An Omaha lawmaker said his bill exempting diapers from sales tax would help parents of young children and those caring for adults with medical conditions.
Nebraska lawmakers previewed one of the session's biggest fights with a two-day battle over which committee should hear a proposed ban on abortions at about six weeks.
A key state lawmaker took aim Tuesday at Nebraska's highest paid school superintendents with a bill that would cap superintendent salary and benefits packages.
Members of the state's employees union have ratified a new labor contract that contains the highest salary increases in more than 35 years.
Transgender rights advocates said an abnormal number of bills were introduced in the Nebraska Legislature this year that would negatively impact the trans community.
The Nebraska State Board of Education avoided taking a formal stance on a number of legislative bills, including a proposed constitutional amendment that would eliminate the board.
Proponents and opponents alike raised concerns Friday about Gov. Jim Pillen's proposal to change how farm and ranch land is valued for property taxes in Nebraska.
After Nebraska saw a sharp increase in HIV cases in 2021, including a jump in rural cases, health officials began looking for new tools to tackle the problem.
Two bills introduced in the Nebraska Legislature would cap copays on insulin for insured patients.
A bill to guarantee state aid for every student and boost special education funding, which Gov. Jim Pillen touted as a "pivotal" part of his education plan, was met with a mix of praise and concern.
Backers of a state child tax credit say a legislative proposal would help lift Nebraska children out of poverty and give families some financial breathing room.
Hundreds filled the Nebraska Capitol Wednesday to share their thoughts on a controversial bill that would ban gender-altering medical procedures for individuals under 19.
A bill to offer $25 million in tax credits for private school scholarship donations cleared the Revenue Committee on Thursday and is headed for the full Legislature.
An agreement to reach a yet-undetermined compromise was enough to convince concerned lawmakers to advance a bill that would allow Nebraskans to carry concealed weapons without a permit.
Authorities could petition to remove firearms if someone has “demonstrated that they are a danger to themselves or others, has access to a firearm, and has made threats of violence.”
Sen. Megan Hunt said her amendment to ban minors from vacation Bible school classes and other "religious indoctrination camps" was meant to make a point.
Schools couldn't discriminate on the basis of "race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizen status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or special education status."
The release of a preliminary budget plan Wednesday coincided with the latest report on state tax receipts. That report showed possible clouds on the economic horizon.
State lawmakers took a step toward ending the twice-a-year time changes in Nebraska by advancing a bill to keep the state on year-round daylight saving time.
A Nebraska bill would prohibit local health departments from enacting directed health measures like mask mandates. Instead that authority would be limited to local elected officials.
Nebraska lawmakers advance dress code bill intended to protect students' religious, cultural beliefs
The Nebraska Department of Education would be tasked with establishing a model dress code and grooming policy for schools under a bill that advanced in the Legislature Tuesday.
Gov. Jim Pillen announced his support for two bills that would severely limit health care and education options for transgender youths in Nebraska.
The bill would prohibit most abortions in Nebraska once embryonic cardiac activity can be detected via ultrasound, which typically happens around six weeks of pregnancy.
Rep. Mike Flood told a breakfast meeting hosted by the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce that that he will continue to seek federal funding for a number of Lincoln projects.
