By Josie Golka - Nebraska News Service
The Nebraska Legislature wrapped up bill introductions and began committee hearings in the third week of its 2025 session, including proposals to display the Ten Commandments in public schools, end tenure for state university faculty and eliminate online voter registration.
Lawmakers can introduce bills during the first 10 days of the legislative session, which ended Jan. 22. In total, senators introduced 715 bills and 29 resolutions.
Bill introductions on Jan. 21 and 22 included legislation dealing with several controversial issues.
LB 512, introduced by Senator Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue and known as the Chemical Abortion Safety Protocol Act, would create new requirements for healthcare providers and pregnant persons relating to abortion medication.
The act would require providers to verify that a patient is pregnant and document the reason for the prescription of an abortion pill, along with the point in pregnancy at which the drug would be prescribed, and follow up with the patient two weeks later.
LB 541, also introduced by Holdcroft, would eliminate online voter registration and limit who can vote early. Currently, Nebraska is a no-excuse state, which means any registered voter can vote early or by mail without a reason. The measure would also require all ballots to be hand-counted.
LB 594, introduced by Senator Jason Prokop of Lincoln, would allow police officers to pull over drivers they suspect of using their phones or texting while driving - the bill is similar to one introduced by Senator Loren Lippincott last session.
LB 624, introduced by Senator Rob Dover of Norfolk, would funnel $10 million of state funds to private school scholarships for low income students every year. In November, Nebraskans voted to repeal a similar measure via a ballot referendum.
LB 655, introduced by Senator Dave Murman of Glenvil, would allow medical providers to deny care based on “sincerely held beliefs” or for religious reasons.
Critics cited similar measures across the country as a form of discrimination against women and LGBTQ patients, claiming providers should put the needs of their patients above their beliefs.
LB 691, also introduced by Murman, would require public schools to display the 10 Commandments in all classrooms. While separation of church and state is a core doctrine of United States constitutional interpretation, a similar measure stands in Louisiana despite debate in district courts.