How a Bill Becomes a Law in Nebraska
Introduction
The lawmaking process officially begins when a senator introduces a bill into the Legislature. State senators have the first 10 legislative days of each session to introduce bills. ››
Committee
Every bill introduced in the Nebraska Legislature receives a hearing before one of its 14 standing committees. At hearings, Nebraskans can express their opinions to committee members. After the hearing, committees can vote to 1) advance the bill to the full Legislature; 2) indefinitely postpone the bill; or 3) take no action on the bill. ››
General File
This is the first time the full Legislature debates and votes on bills. Senators consider amendments, which can be proposed by committees and by individual senators. General File is often the most crucial stage of the legislative process because it is when most compromises are reached. Twenty-five votes are needed for amendments to be adopted and the bill to be moved to the next stage of consideration. ››
Select File
This is the second debating and voting stage, which allows for amendments, compromise, and review. After Select File, bills are reprinted for Final Reading. ››
Final Reading
The final step of legislative approval. A Legislative Bill (LB) must be read aloud by the Clerk of the Legislature, unless 30 members waive the requirement. A bill cannot be amended or debated on Final Reading but may be returned to Select File for a specific amendment. Final passage can occur five legislative days after the bill is introduced and one legislative day after being placed on Final Reading. A constitutional amendment (LRCA) requires 30 votes to place it on the general election ballot and 40 votes to place it on a primary or special-election ballot. All other bills require a majority (25) before going to the governor. ››
Signed into Law
The governor has five days excluding Sundays to decide what to do with a bill. If the governor signs a bill or declines to act on it, the bill becomes a state law. The governor may also veto a bill and has the authority to strike specific budget appropriations. The Legislature may override any gubernatorial veto with 30 votes. Most bills passed and approved by the governor become law three months after the adjournment of the Legislature. Some bills may take effect before that date if they contain an emergency clause.