Hearing set on McKeon expulsion resolution

Lawmakers approved a motion Jan. 8 to suspend a legislative rule in order to speed up the timeline for a public hearing on LR282.

The resolution, introduced by the Executive Board, would expel Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst from the Nebraska Legislature for a “pattern of behavior violating the Nebraska Legislature’s workplace policies on harassment and decorum.”

Legislative rules normally require seven days’ notice prior to a public hearing. Senators approved the rule suspension on a 43-0 vote and the hearing is scheduled for Jan. 12.

Executive Board chairperson, Blair Sen. Ben Hansen, said the shorter timeline is appropriate because the hearing will not involve input from the public on a policy question. The resolution instead addresses a personnel matter, he said, with hearing testimony provided only by the investigator hired by the Executive Board and either McKeon or his legal counsel.

If committee members vote to advance the measure to the full Legislature for a single round of debate after the public hearing, scheduling will be up to Speaker John Arch of La Vista.

McKeon would become the first senator in Nebraska history to be expelled from the Legislature if the resolution is adopted. Thirty-three votes would be required.