Nebraska lawmakers tackled two controversial legislative measures, Tuesday. Ultimately advancing both a ban on gender affirming care for minors and an attached 10 week abortion ban.
The bill that was under discussion: LB574, otherwise known as the Let Them Grow Act, would prohibit gender affirming care for LGBTQ+ Nebraska minors. This bill has largely been the subject of the filibuster effort that has affected this legislative session. LB574 successfully advanced past the first 2 round of scheduled debate, and Tuesday, arrived at final reading. If the bill were to pass one more final round of debate, it’ll be sent to the Governors desk to be signed into law.
The catch, a 12 week abortion ban was attached as an amendment to the bill. Senator Ben Hansen filed the attachment, in the wake of the 6 week abortion ban failing to advance to a final reading earlier this session. Effectively killing the measure at the time. Now, being revived, the abortion ban has been referred to as a lazarus amendment.
Senator Merv Riepe was the subject of unicameral tug-of-war Tuesday. Riepe put an unexpected halt to the 6-week abortion ban earlier this session when he cast his upset “present—no vote.”
Tuesdays morning session debate centered around an unrelated tax measure, which passed almost unanimously, serval hours earlier than anticipated. Indicating some eagerness among lawmakers to move on to LB574.
Omaha Senator Machaela Cavanaugh, who has championed much of the filibuster effort to stall the bill, said “LB574 raises significant concerns regarding parental rights and the fundamental role of parents as primary caregivers and decision makers for their children’s health and well being.” Expressing further concerns over the impact on the future economic development of Nebraska and attraction/retention of young people to the state.
Lincoln Senator George Dungan, a defense attorney, was quick to hop in the queue to speak, ” LB574 is the most blatant example of the government stepping into people’s personal lives that I think we’ve seen this entire legislative session. It’s the government telling people what they can and can’t do with their bodies.”
Due to efforts to postpone debate, the afternoon session was chocked full of motions, attempted points of order, attempts to overrule the chair, and other legislative moves.
Ultimately, attempts to delay the vote did not succeed. Sen. Ben Hansen’s amendment to attach an abortion ban was adopted, 33-15. Reipe voted to attach the amendment. Senator from Fremont, Lynne Walz voted no to adopt Sen. Hansen’s amendment.
Shortly after, a vote to advance the bill to final reading passed, 33-14. The notable “present–no vote” came from Sen. Walz.
As it stands LB 574 will pop back up in the legislature, likely some time this week, for an abridged 2 hour–final reading–debate.
Lawmaker’s rhetoric may have been the most fiery we have seen thus far, especially from opposition. While it seems in stone that LB 574 will advance from its final reading to the governors desk, it may be too soon to hedge bets. The chaotic legislative session this afternoon could result in reconsiderations.
Sen. Walz has seemingly expressed some doubt about the bill, and Sen. Riepe has demonstrated the gumption to make independent decisions. A last ditch effort to garner 33 votes for LB 574 may not be taken for granted by supporters of the bill.