January 10, 2025

109th Legislature, 1st Session

109th Legislature Convenes

The 109th session of the Nebraska Legislature convened on Wednesday, January 8, at 10:00 a.m., with the initial day of the session featuring the election of committee chairs and appointment of individual members to legislative committees. Sen. John Arch (Omaha) was elected to the position of Speaker of the Legislature. The following new committee chairs were also elected by their colleagues:

Agriculture - Sen. Barry DeKay (Niobrara)
Appropriations - *Sen. Rob Clements (Elmwood)
Banking, Commerce & Insurance - Sen. Mike Jacobson (North Platte)
Business & Labor - Sen. Kathleen Kauth (Omaha)
Education - *Sen. Dave Murman (Glenvil)
Executive Board - Sen. Ben Hansen (Blair)
General Affairs - Sen. Rick Holdcroft (Bellevue)
Government, Military & Veteran Affairs - Sen. Rita Sanders (Bellevue)
Health & Human Services - Sen. Brian Hardin (Gering)
Judiciary - Sen. Carolyn Bosn (Lincoln)
Natural Resources - Sen. Tom Brandt (Plymouth)
Nebraska Retirement Systems - Sen. Beau Ballard (Lincoln)
Revenue - Sen. Brad von Gillern (Elkhorn)
Rules - Sen. Loren Lippincott (Central City)
Transportation - *Sen. Mike Moser (Columbus)
Urban Affairs - *Sen. Terrell McKinney (Omaha)

*Chairperson during the 108th Legislature)

Special congratulations to Sen. Rob Clements, who was elected to serve as Appropriations Committee Chair, and Sen. Mike Jacobson, who was elected to serve as Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee Chair. Sen. Clements and Sen. Jacobson are both members of the NBA, and Sen. Jacobson is a past NBA Chair.

Ordinarily, the Committee on Committees meets following election of Committee Chairs to finalize committee assignments that afternoon. However, the meeting was not without controversy, and final committee assignments were not completed until Thursday afternoon. Along with the election of Sen. Jacobson as Chair of the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee, the following members were appointed to serve on the committee:

• Sen. Eliot Bostar, VC (Lincoln)
• Sen. George Dungan (Lincoln)
• Sen. Robert Hallstrom (Syracuse)
• Sen. Brian Hardin (Gering)
• Sen. Merv Riepe (Ralston)
• Sen. Brad von Gillern (Elkhorn)
• Sen. Dave Wordekemper (Fremont)

​There are 17 new senators this year, with two senators - Sen. Julie Slama (Dunbar) and Sen. Fred Meyer (Saint Paul) - who did not run for reelection and two senators - Sen. Ray Aguilar (Grand Island) and Sen. Jen Day (Gretna) - who were not reelected. The newly elected senators are as follows:

• Sen. Robert Hallstrom (District 1, Syracuse)
• Sen. Victor Rountree (District 3, Bellevue)
• Sen. Margo Juarez (District 5, Omaha)
• Sen. Dunixi Guereca (District 7, Omaha)
• Sen. Ashlei Spivey (District 13, Omaha)
• Sen. Dave Wordekemper (District 15, Fremont)
• Sen. Glen Meyer (District 17, Pender)
• Sen. Jared Storm (District 23, David City)
• Sen. Jason Prokop (District 27, Lincoln)
• Sen. Dan Lonowski (District 33, Hastings)
• Sen. Dan Quick (District 35, Grand Island)
• Sen. Stan Clouse (District 37, Kearney)
• Sen. Tony Sorrentino (District 39, Elkhorn)
• Sen. Dan McKeon (District 41, Amherst)
• Sen. Tanya Storer (District 43, Whitman)
• Sen. Paul Strommen (District 47, Sidney)
• Sen. Bob Andersen (District 49, Omaha)

The first 10 working days of the session will be devoted to new bill introductions. During the first three days of bill introductions, a total of 129 bills and three proposed Constitutional Amendments were introduced. The 109th Legislature is the first session where senators have a maximum number of bills - 20 - they are allowed to introduce. This rule was enacted in 2024 and is aimed at limiting the total number of bills.

Committee hearings are tentatively scheduled to commence on Wednesday, January 22. The largest issue facing the Legislature this year is adopting a biennial budget while facing a current projected revenue shortfall of $432 million. Other major issues expected to be taken up are property tax relief and revising the school funding formula, "winner take all" for Nebraska's electoral votes, and other social issues.

The NBA will be promoting an ambitious affirmative legislative agenda with a number of bills to be introduced on behalf of the Association. These bills will cover a range of subjects, including: (1) curbing class action lawsuits for cybersecurity and data breaches; (2) requiring notification of pending lapse or termination of life insurance policies taken as collateral; (3) updates for small estate affidavits; and (4) modernizing requirements for residency of bank directors.

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2025 State Government Relations Forum

You are encouraged to sign up for the annual NBA State Government Relations Forum on Jan. 30 at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel in Lincoln. Headlining the program will be presentations by Governor Pillen, a panel of state senators, NBA General Counsel Ryan McIntosh and NBA Associate General Counsel Jerry Stilmock. Nebraska Department of Banking Director Kelly Lammers will discuss Department initiatives.

The State Government Relations Forum presents an opportunity to meet personally with your state senator during lunch to discuss issues of importance to the banking industry, your institution and your community. We look forward to seeing you on Jan. 30!
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