Day-one of the Nebraska Legislature’s 2025 session is in the books.
The George W. Norris Legislative Chamber brimmed with spectators, media, and the families of state lawmakers during this introductory day. More than exchanging hi-hellos, senators spent the first day of the 109th legislature (1st session) internally electing the chairpersons for the 17 standing committees that organize the work of Nebraska’s unique one-house political body.
Despite roughly ⅓ of the body bringing fresh faces, Unicameral leadership will look familiar as Sen. John Arch of La Vista was reelected to serve another term as the Speaker of the Legislature.
The elected committee chairpersons for the 2025 session are as follows:
- Agriculture — Barry Dekay (District 40)
- Appropriations — Robert Clements (District 2)
- Banking, Commerce and Insurance — Mike Jacobson (District 42)
- Business and Labor — Kathleen Kauth (District 31)
- Education — Dave Murman (District 38)
- General Affairs — Rick Holdcroft (District 36)
- Government, Military and Veterans Affairs — Rita Sanders (District 45)
- Health and Human Services — Brian Hardin (District 48)
- Judiciary — Carolyn Bosn (District 25)
- Natural Resources — Tom Brandt (District 32)
- Nebraska Retirement Systems — Beau Ballard (District 21)
- Revenue — Brad Von Gillern (District 4)
- Transportation and Telecommunications — Mike Moser (District 22)
- Urban Affairs — Terrell McKinney (District 11)
- Rules — Loren Lippencott (District 34)
- Enrollment and Review —Dunixi Guereca (District 7)
Conservative lawmakers in the technically non-partisan legislature won each of the six contested committee races. The political composition of the Unicameral consists of 33 Republicans (an exact super-majority), 15 Democrats, and one progressive independent.
The race for Chair of the Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee went to a second vote after Sen. Ballard (R) tied 24-24 with his Lincoln colleague, Danielle Conrad (D), indicating one lawmaker abstained. In a somewhat ironic outcome, Ballard, the youngest lawmaker at 30, narrowly defeated Conrad, the longest-tenured member at 47, by a 25-24 margin — to lead a committee focused on issues affecting Nebraska’s oldest residents.
Lawmakers will begin bill introductions on day-two, Thursday, Jan. 9. Governor Jim Pillen will give his annual State of the State Address on day-seven, Jan. 15.