2025 Nebraska Legislative Recap

Each legislative session brings new opportunities—and challenges—for advancing policies that support survivors and strengthen violence prevention across Nebraska. While headlines often focus on floor debates and final votes, much of the most important advocacy happens behind the scenes.

The Nebraska Coalition worked tirelessly throughout the 2025 session to influence policy decisions that impact survivors. We met with senators and staff to share the realities survivors face and the importance of investing in prevention. We monitored more than 30 bills, analyzed their impact, helped rewrite harmful language, and coordinated testimony that brought survivor voices to the table. We partnered with local organizations and advocates across the state to make sure lawmakers understand the real-life consequences of their decisions.

This work doesn’t happen alone. Every call to a senator, every comment submitted, every story shared at a hearing—each act of advocacy matters. We're deeply grateful to everyone who responded to calls-to-action, testified, met with lawmakers, or helped spread the word. This recap reflects what we accomplished together: the progress made, the harm we helped prevent, and the challenges we must continue to confront. 

Progress: What We Moved Forward

During the 2025 legislative session, the Nebraska Coalition supported 10 bills through testimony and written comments. We're proud to report that four relevant bills became law.

• AM 1386 to LB 261 – Funding for Service Providers 
  Sponsored by Sen. Carolyn Bosn, added to a bill by Speaker John Arch 
  This amendment provided a much-needed $3 million in funding for Nebraska’s network of service providers that support survivors of domestic and sexual violence. It passed with strong support (40-2).
   
• LB 78 – Domestic Violence and Sex Trafficking Survivor Assistance Act 
  Introduced by Sen. Eliot Bostar | Prioritized by Tribal Relations Committee 
  This bill uses a small increase in the documentary stamp tax to fund housing assistance and supportive services for survivors through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
   
• AM 737 to LB 78 – Survivor-Informed Sentencing 
  Introduced by Sen. Dunixi Guereca | Includes provisions from LB 159 
  This change allows courts to consider a person’s experience as a survivor of abuse, exploitation, or trafficking during sentencing, recognizing how trauma and survival may have shaped their circumstances.
   
• LB 80 – Protection Order Act 
  Introduced by Sen. Bob Hallstrom | Prioritized by Sen. Beau Ballard 
  This law streamlines and clarifies Nebraska’s laws on protection orders related to domestic abuse, sexual assault, and harassment. It improves access, enforcement, and survivor safety.
   
• AM 801 to LB 80 – Protections for Survivors in Rentals 
  Introduced by Sen. Victor Rountree | Includes provisions from LB 267 
  This amendment strengthens legal protections for survivors living in rental housing. It provides clearer responsibilities for landlords and tenants in cases involving domestic violence and aims to reduce housing instability for those experiencing abuse.  
   
• LB 499 – Expanding Survivor Representation 
  Introduced by Sen. Wendy DeBoer 
  This bill expands the membership of the Crime Victim’s Reparations Committee to better reflect the experiences of survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking. 

Stalled: Harmful Bills We Helped Stop

Part of our work also means opposing harmful legislation that could increase risk or reduce protections for survivors. We advocated against several bills that did not advance during this session, but that doesn’t mean our work is done. With this being an odd-numbered year of Nebraska's biennium, all these stalled bills will continue during next year’s legislative session.  

• LB 258 – Minimum Wage Cap and Youth Wage Bill 
  Introduced by Sen. Jane Raybould | Currently on Final Reading 
  This bill undermines economic conditions that help prevent violence—particularly for youth and low-wage workers—by capping wage growth and setting subminimum wages for young people. This weakens a key pillar of violence prevention: economic justice and opportunity. This bill failed on final reading.
   
• LB 328 – Cuts to Housing and Behavioral Health Support 
  Introduced by Sen. Rick Holdcroft | Currently in Revenue Committee 
  This bill would have cut funding for programs that help survivors access shelter, affordable housing, and behavioral health services. Without these supports, many survivors could face homelessness or go without trauma-informed care. Thanks to advocacy efforts, this bill did not make it out of committee this session.
   
• LB 379 – Limits on Financial Assistance 
  Introduced by Sen. Bob Andersen | Currently in Health & Human Services Committee 
  This bill proposed cutting the time families can receive cash assistance from 60 months to just 24 months. Survivors often need time to rebuild stability, especially while navigating safety concerns, court cases, or housing transitions. While the bill allowed for some exceptions, it failed to account for the unique barriers survivors face. It also included new requirements tied to children’s school attendance, which could further disadvantage survivors who must relocate for safety. This bill also stalled in committee. 

Setback: Laws That Harm Vulnerable Nebraskans

Unfortunately, not all harmful bills were stopped.

• LB 89 – Restricting Trans and Non-Binary Rights 
  Introduced by Sen. Kathleen Kauth 
  This law requires people to use bathrooms and sports teams based on the sex listed on their birth certificate, not their gender identity. We opposed LB 89 because forcing trans and non-binary people into spaces that don’t align with their identity increases the risk of isolation, harassment, and even violence. This bill directly contradicts our mission of creating safer communities for everyone.
   
• LB 415 – Rollback of Paid Sick Leave Protections 
  Introduced by Beau Ballard 
  This bill amends the state’s new paid sick leave law to exclude certain workers—those at businesses with fewer than six employees, seasonal agricultural workers, and minors under 16. While it improves enforcement mechanisms, it rolls back key protections that survivors of sexual and domestic violence depend on for medical care, court appearances, or time to relocate. It also sets back what was a significant step towards preventing violence. Ultimately, this bill weakens a crucial safety net that voters overwhelmingly support. 

Stay Engaged Year-Round

The legislative session may be over, but the work doesn’t stop here. Public policy is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent violence and support survivors, and your voice matters.

Here’s how you can stay involved:

• Stay Informed: Subscribe to our Public Policy Alerts and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram to stay informed about the issues that impact survivors and our communities.
• Build Relationships: Now is a great time to contact your senator, share your values, and talk about the policies you care about.
• Speak Up: Write letters to the editor, attend community forums, and share information with your community to keep these issues visible.
• Vote Smart: Local elections and ballot measures have a big impact. Ensure you’re registered to vote and understand where candidates stand on issues such as survivor safety, economic justice, and community health.
• Support the Work: Your donations and advocacy make a difference. Help us continue pushing for survivor-centered, prevention-focused policies.