Today began the 109th Legislative Session at the Unicameral! The main order of business was officers and committe chairs elections. For the first time in a long time Republicans hold the Chair position for all committees except the Urban Affairs Committee.
A huge congratulations to the senators for winning their election!
Chair of Committee on Committees – Armendariz
Armendariz nominates herself – based on logic
Von Gillern – unanimous vote for Armendariz – no objection
Chair of Exec Board – Hansen
Hansen nominates himself – knows the process, will work for cohesion
Von Gillern – unanimous vote for Hansen – no objection
Vice Chair of Exec Committee – Ibach
Ibach nominates herself –
Von Gillern – unanimous vote for Ibach – no objection
Chair of Ag – DeKay
DeKay – nominates himself
Von Gillern – unanimous vote for DeKay – no objection
Chair of Appropriations – Clements
Clements – nominates himself
Von Gillern – unanimous vote for Clements – no objection
Chair of Banking Commerce Insurance – Jacobson
Jacobson – nominates himself
Von Gillern – unanimous vote for Jacobson
Chair of Business and Labor – Kauth
Kauth – nominates herself
J. Cav – nominates himself
Secret Ballot – Kauth wins with 34 votes
Chair of Education – Murman
Murman – nominates himself
Hughes – nominates herself
Secret Vote – Murman wins with 29 votes
Chair of General Affairs Committee – Holdcroft
Holdcroft – nominates himself
Von Gillern – unanimous vote for Holdcroft – no objection
Chair of Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs – Sanders
Sanders – nominates herself
Von Gillern – unanimous vote for Sanders – no objection
Chair of Health & Human Services – Hardin
M. Cav – nominates herself with plan to withdraw – wants oversight and accountability of DHHS
Lippincott – nominates Hardin – Hardin accepts nomination
Reipe – nominates himself
Secret Vote – Hardin wins with 28 votes
Chair of Judiciary Committee – Bosn
Bosn – nominates herself
Von Gillern – unanimous vote for Bosn – no objections
Chair of Natural Resources – Brandt
Brandt – nominates himself – open and inclusive
Von Gillern – unanimous vote for Brandt – no objection
Chair of NE Retirement Systems – Ballard
Conrad – nominates herself – did not plan to seek
Ballard – nominates himself
Secret Vote – Tie for first vote – second vote Ballard wins with 25 votes
Chair of Revenue – Von Gillern
Dungan – nominates himself
Von Gillern – nominates himself
Secret Vote – Von Gillern wins with 29 votes
Chair of Transportation and Communications – Moser
Moser – nominates himself
Von Gillern – unanimous vote for Moser – no objection
Chair of Urban Affairs – McKinney
McKinney – nominates himself
Von Gillern – unanimous vote for McKinney – no objection
Chair of Rules Committee – Lippincott
DeBoer – nominates herself
Lippincott – nominates himself
Secret Vote – Lippincott wins, they didn’t show the vote total this time
Chair Enrollment & Review – Guereca
Ballard – nominates Guereca
Von Gillern – unanimous vote for Guereca
Senator Arch was again elected by unanimous acclimation to serve as Speaker of the Legislature. He gave a brief speech about being open to discussion and that he does not stifle people’s voices. We hope to see that from him this session.
Tomorrow morning will begin bill introduction. Please continue to contact our senators to support the NAGO Legislative Plan. If a senator hasn’t yet found a priority, they might consider championing an issue on our list!
Call to Action
Our TOP PRIORITY right now is to push for the rules changes described in our NAGO Legislative Plan. SUPPORT UNICAMERAL RULES TO REFLECT “WE THE PEOPLE”. The integrity of the Nebraska Unicameral has been eroded by outdated rules that do not promote best practices for legislation and the needs of its citizens. It is way overdue for legislators to change their procedural rules to make the legislative process more transparent and efficient.
• Reduce cloture vote requirement only when a Senator votes Present Not Voting
• Provide for incentive to introduce a limited number of bills (i.e., if 5 or fewer bills, then a Senator would receive 2 priorities)
• Require open and transparent senator votes when electing legislative committee chairs (eliminate the Secret Vote)
• Strengthen single subject matter on legislation and eliminate “Christmas tree bills”
Email our senators and plan to show up in the next week or submit online comments for the Rules Committee Public hearing!!!
2025 – Republicans
1. Arch, John
2. Armendariz, Christy
3. Ballard, Beau
4. Bosn, Carolyn
5. Brandt,Tom
6. Clements, Robert
7. DeKay, Barry
8. Dorn, Myron
9. Dover, Robert
10. Hansen,Ben
11. Hardin, Brian
12. Holdcroft, Rick
13. Hughes, Jana
14. lbach, Teresa
15. Jacobson, Mike
16. Kauth, Kathleen
17. Lippincott, Loren
18. Meyer, Frederick
19. Moser, Mike
20. Murman, Dave
21. Riepe, Merv
22. Sanders, Rita
23. Von Gillern, R. Brad
24. Hallstrom, Robert
25. Meyer, Glen
26. Storm, Jared
27. McKeon, Daniel D
28. Sorrentino, Tony
29. Clouse, Stanley
30. Lonowski, Dan
31. Andersen, Bob
32. Strommen, Paul E
33. Storer, Tanya
34. Wordekemper, Dave
Jarch@leg.ne.gov
Carmendariz@leg.ne.gov
Bballard@leg.ne.gov
CBosn@leg.ne.gov
Tbrandt@leg.ne.gov
Rclements@leg.ne.gov
BDeKay@leg.ne.gov
MDorn@leg.ne.gov
RDover@leg.ne.gov
BHansen@leg.ne.gov
BHardin@leg.ne.gov
RHoldcroft@leg.ne.gov
JHughes@leg.ne.gov
Tlbach@leg.ne.gov
MJacobson@leg.ne.gov
KKauth@leg.ne.gov
LLippincott@leg.ne.gov
FMeyer@leg.ne.gov
MMoser@leg.ne.gov
DMurman@leg.ne.gov
MRiepe@leg.ne.gov
RSanders@leg.ne.gov
BVonGillern@leg.ne.gov
RHallstrom@leg.ne.gov
GMeyer@leg.ne.gov
JStorm@leg.ne.gov
DMcKeon@leg.ne.gov
TSorrentino@leg.ne.gov
SClouse@leg.ne.gov
DLonowski@leg.ne.gov
BAndersen@leg.ne.gov
PStrommen@leg.ne.gov
TStorer@leg.ne.gov
DWordekemper@leg.ne.gov
2025 – Democrats
1. Quick, Dan
2. Spivey, Ashlei
3. Rountree, Victor
4. Guereca, Dunixi
5. Juarez, Margo R.
6. Raybould, Jane
7. McKinney, Terrell
8. Hunt, Megan
9. Dungan, George
10. Fredrickson, John
11. Conrad, Danielle
12. Cavanaugh, John
13. Cavanaugh, Machaela
14. Bostar, Eliot
15. Prokop, Jason
DQuick@leg.ne.gov
ASpivey@leg.ne.gov
VRountree@leg.ne.gov
DGuereca@leg.ne.gov
MJuarez@leg.ne.gov
JRaybould@leg.ne.gov
TMcKinney@leg.ne.gov
MHunt@leg.ne.gov
GDungan@leg.ne.gov
JFredrickson@leg.ne.gov
DConrad@leg.ne.gov
JCavanaugh@leg.ne.gov
MCavanaugh@leg.ne.gov
EBostar@leg.ne.gov
JProkop@leg.ne.gov
Upcoming Events
There are also several rallies and events in support of important upcoming legislation.
Senator Kathleen Kauth had a press release Friday morning at the Capitol at 10 am. Do be aware that the opposition has organized a counter protest. Our hope is that the Stand with Women bill sees a greater level of support! As always, ensure we are peaceful, respectful, and fully law abiding at all times.
Monday morning, the Nebraska Convention of States will be gathering for an update on supporting the Convention of States here in Nebraska. (More info coming soon)
In the following week, End Abortion Nebraska will be gathering at the Capitol. Please reach out to Jarrod Ridge if you’re interested in joining them on January 23rd.
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We’d be remiss if we didn’t remind our friends and followers that this weekend (Saturday in the morning at the DC Center in Omaha) is the NEGOP State Central Committee meeting. They have 5 Constitutional Amendments and 3 Resolutions that will be introduced and voted on at the meeting.
Please be sure to contact your State Committee Members and representatives and discuss these amendments and resolutions. Your input helps our party representatives to vote according to the will of the people who elected them.
We will also attach our recommended votes for each of the amendments. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns feel free to email us at info@nago.group.
We will continue to provide weekly newsletters and daily recaps throughout the 109th Legislative Session! Please keep a close eye out for updates as things will begin to move quickly throughout the next several months.
You can also sign up for our newsletter to delivered directly to your inbox by signing up at www.nago.group
Nebraskans Against Government Overreach 