Final debate was held on LB 574 Friday in the Nebraska Unicameral. The bill passed 33-15.
LB 574, otherwise known as the Let Them Grow Act, prohibits gender affirming care for LGBTQ+ Nebraskans under the age of 19. This bill was the subject of the filibuster effort that has affected the first 81 days of this legislative session. LB 574 successfully advanced past the first 2 round of scheduled debate, arriving to final reading. Then, 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.
With the abortion attachment, LB 574 came before lawmakers for its final reading.
Thursday morning, before legislature convened, State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont filed an amendment to LB 574. Walz’ amendment shares a resemblance with previously filed and rejected amendment from State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston.
The amendment would change the 12-week abortion ban from gestational age to 12 weeks post-fertilization, include an exception for “fetal anomalies” incompatible with life, and specifies rules and regulations that youths must meet before receiving puberty blockers, hormone therapies or non-genital surgeries. Genital surgeries, which are not performed in Nebraska, would be prohibited.
There was 2 hours of scheduled debate for final reading. Shortly after senators began to speak, while the bills sponsor Senator Kathleen Kauth of Omaha was speaking, there were disruptions from presumed opponents of the bill from the viewing gallery. Shouting, singing, and paper and other items could be seen tossed from the balcony. The presiding officer, Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly, ordered both sides of the gallery be cleared.
After lawmakers returned from a brief recess to accommodate, Sen. Kauth returned to the microphone, “That is actually a very, very good representation of what all the hateful rhetoric has done. It’s created this kind of an atmosphere where we no longer discuss and debate…where people throw things down from balconies.”
The Capitol Rotunda was filled with protesters before debate on the bill even began. Throughout the session, chants could be heard in the chamber through the glass doors.
Arguments from Senators were passionate.
Senator Kauth, “We certainly don’t hate anyone. The reason we brought this bill is because we love kids. We want to see them grow up and be happy, healthy adults.”
Senator Jen Day of Omaha focusing on forecasted economic fallout from the bill, “We have seen bills like this pass in other states, and they have literally lost billions of dollars in lost business,” and further on a potential legal fallout, “There are lawsuits ready to be filed in the event that this gets signed into law… and do you know who’s going to pay for all of that? Taxpayers. Because when the state gets sued, that is on the taxpayers dime.”
Senator John Lowe of Kearney, “We are for children. We’re not out to mutilate children. We’re not out to harm their bodies with chemicals. We’re not out to kill children.”
Senator Machaela Cavanaugh, “You have to live with your vote. You have to live with the fact that you vote to take away people’s rights.”