109th Nebraska Legislature
First Session (2025)
BILL TRACKER
Bill introduction begins Jan. 8 and ends Jan. 22.
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HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW IN NEBRASKA
1. Bill Introduction
When a Nebraska senator has an idea for a new law, they team up with a bill drafter to turn that idea into the official legal format for a bill. Nebraska is a bit unique—bills here can only cover one subject at a time.
Most senators introduce their bills during the first 10 days of the legislative session, which kicks off every January.
2. Committee
Next, the bill is assigned to one of 14 committees. Every bill gets a public hearing in committee. This is where citizens can share their opinions with lawmakers.
Once the hearing ends, the committee can vote to send the bill to the floor (with or without changes), shelve it indefinitely, or take no action at all.
3. General File
4. Select File
5. Final Reading & Passage
Bills can’t be debated or amended, but can be sent back to Select File for a specific change. Voting on a bill can’t happen until at least five legislative days after it’s introduced and one day after it’s placed on Final Reading. Bills need a simple majority (25 votes) to move to the governor. Those with an emergency clause require two-thirds (33 votes).
A proposed constitutional amendment takes 30 votes to put it on the general election ballot and 40 votes to add it to a primary or special election ballot.
