Legislature adjourns sine die, 13 senators depart

The second session of the 109th Legislature adjourned sine die April 17.

Ten senators are leaving the Legislature due to term limits: La Vista Sen. John Arch; Plymouth Sen. Tom Brandt; Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh; Elmwood Sen. Robert Clements; Bennington Sen. Wendy DeBoer; Adams Sen. Myron Dorn; Blair Sen. Ben Hansen; Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt; Columbus Sen. Mike Moser and Glenvil Sen. Dave Murman.

Omaha Sen. Christy Armendariz and Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln are not seeking reelection and St. Paul Sen. Fred Meyer, who was appointed in January, has chosen not to run for election.

In his address to lawmakers, Gov. Jim Pillen congratulated departing senators, who he said have faced “plenty of challenges and long hours.”

The governor also praised lawmakers for working with him to pass legislation that ensured agricultural producers own and control the data generated on their farms, created incentive packages for businesses and balanced the state budget in a “fiscally responsible, historically conservative” way.

“We accomplished a lot of good for our state in this session,” Pillen said, “but we know there is always more to do.”

The governor challenged senators to solve the state’s “property tax crisis” when the 2027 session begins in January, saying it’s an issue he hears about from Nebraskans daily.

In his comments, Speaker Arch also thanked his colleagues for their “tireless” work during the 60-day session, which he said resulted in the passage of all or part of nearly 340 proposals.

In addition to achieving policy goals, he said, lawmakers should take pride in moving from the institution’s “low point” of the 2023 session — marked by prolonged filibusters and division among lawmakers — to a legislative body where members cooperated and treated each other with respect.

“We weren’t just successful in passing good policy, we were also successful in embracing a model of process for future Legislatures,” Arch said. “And of all the things this session, this is what I’m most pleased with.”

The first session of the 110th Legislature is scheduled to convene Jan. 6, 2027.