Nebraska’s 2016 legislative session has adjourned for the year, ending a whirlwind 60 days. 446 bills were introduced, 216 bills passed and an unprecedented 24 filibusters – but one thing remained the same: The laws passed at our State Capitol affected the lives of real people.
There was no shortage of issues pertaining to family, freedom and life. Nebraska Family Alliance maintained an active presence at the Capitol, monitoring and influencing close to 30 bills. Here are some facts about the 2016 legislative session.
Marriage and Family
The intentional effort to undermine marriage and the progressive movement toward a genderless society descended upon the Nebraska legislature.
Bills were introduced that would have completely erased from Nebraska law every use of the terms husband, wife, man, woman, father, and mother. Additionally, a proposed constitutional amendment sought to remove from the Nebraska State Constitution the definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman.
NFA steadfastly opposed each of these measures, all of which failed to advance from committee and were defeated.
Freedom
Enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is our most precious freedom: Religious Freedom. Regrettably, rather than affirming religious freedom, legislators are assaulting it.
A narrow religious freedom bill (LB975) designed to protect a small group of faith-based foster care and adoption agencies was unable to garner enough support to advance through the legislature. The bill simply ensured faith-based agencies could continue to serve vulnerable children in Nebraska, as they have for decades. Despite the grassroots support, not enough state senators were willing to defend this basic and fundamental freedom for this bill to become law.
This past session also brought a rigorous and intensive push to create a protected class based on sexual orientation and gender identity. These laws pose a serious threat to religious freedom by granting the government the coercive power to punish citizens on the basis of their peacefully expressed beliefs regarding marriage and sexuality. While this bill (LB586) was defeated this year, it will be introduced again in the next legislative session.
Life
Although a number of pro-life bills were introduced this past legislative session, only LB 891 became law.
The Down Syndrome Diagnosis Information and Support Act (LB891) received 44 co-signers and was signed into law by Governor Ricketts. Down syndrome babies are at a high risk of being aborted in part due to fears about raising a child with a disability. This bill ensures that parents and expectant parents of a Down syndrome child receive the most current information, resources and support in a difficult situation.
NFA also strongly opposed dangerous legislation introduced by Sen. Ernie Chambers to legalize physician assisted suicide in Nebraska. While Sen. Chambers has vowed to re-introduce this bill, his efforts this year to pull the bill from a deadlocked Judiciary Committee found little support and was soundly defeated.
Gambling
Gambling proponents in the legislature fought hard to expand gambling.
Proposed gambling schemes would eliminate the waiting period on Keno games, allow credit to be extended while gambling, create a new method of gambling on naturally occurring events and legalize fantasy sports betting. These predatory bills would substantially increase gambling losses in our state and take more money away.
The Chairman of the General Affairs Committee, Sen. Larson, prioritized a comprehensive bill that encompassed three different gambling schemes, however NFA was able to help defeat the multiple efforts to expand gambling in Nebraska.
Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is modern day slavery happening in our state.
Thankfully, our state legislature is beginning to address this issue. This session, the legislature passed an NFA supported bill that ensures victims of sex trafficking cannot be charged with prostitution.
NFA is stepping up to find more ways to help combat the issue of human trafficking and put an end to this horrific crime in Nebraska.
Nate Grasz