A constitutional amendment passed in 2000 limits Nebraska state senators to two consecutive four-year terms in the state’s Unicameral legislature. Now, two lawmakers from opposite sides of the aisle are working to change that.
The legislature’s Executive Board heard joint testimony Thursday on two proposals to extend term limits for state senators.
Senator Robert Dover, District 19 from Norfolk, Nebraska. November 3, 2022. Photo by Craig Chandler / University Communication.
Megan Hunt, Senator Elect. December 20th, 2018. Photo by Gregory Nathan / University Communication
The identical measures—LR19CA, introduced by Republican Sen. Robert Dover of Norfolk, and LR27CA, sponsored by Independent Progressive Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha—would increase the current limit from two consecutive four-year terms to three, allowing lawmakers to serve up to 12 years before being required to step down for at least four years before becoming eligible for re-election.
If approved by the Legislature, the proposals would be placed on the November 2026 general election ballot. If approved by voters, the measures would take effect in 2028.
Dover said that while he supports term limits, they come with challenges. Inexperienced lawmakers are forced to rely more heavily on other branches of government and long-term lobbyists to fill in the gaps in their institutional knowledge, he said.
“By the time a senator finally feels somewhat comfortable, they are termed out,” Dover said.
Hunt, on the other hand, said she opposes term limits and is concerned that the process limits voter choice. Given that term limits are a reality in Nebraska, however, the state would be better served by allowing senators an additional term, she said.
In addition, Hunt said, the idea that state senators are “fat cats” who want to stay in office to line their pockets is not the reality for Nebraska lawmakers. Senators’ $12,000 annual salary means that no one is in the job for the money, she said, and even before term limits Nebraska did not see the kind of “career politicians” that are common in Congress.
“I think this is something that a lot of Nebraskans don’t really understand,” Hunt said.
No one testified in opposition to the proposals and the committee took no immediate action on them.