Legislature convenes, welcomes new members

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.