Legislation

The ACLU of Nebraska is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that works to defend and strengthen the individual rights and liberties guaranteed in the United States and Nebraska Constitutions through policy advocacy, litigation and education. We serve thousands of members and supporters throughout our great state and represent more than 500,000 members nationwide. Last biennium our organization took a position on over 200 unique pieces of legislation and our position prevailed an impressive 63% of the time.

In the 2019 session of the Nebraska Legislature, we will be working on a broad range of issues, including free speech, privacy rights, voting rights, criminal justice, LGBT rights, reproductive freedom and immigrant rights. Our primary focus will be on ending mass incarceration in Nebraska through sentencing reform and improving programming and services necessary to stop the Eighth Amendment violations that abound in our correctional system.

Federal congressional issues are handled primarily through the ACLU’s office in Washington, D.C. Learn more about ACLU’s national slate of policy priorities.

In addition to our work in the Legislature the ACLU of Nebraska’s Advocacy Program is dedicated to protecting, preserving, and enhancing civil liberties whenever possible by influencing legislation, administrative rules, and in some cases – county and municipal ordinances.

Legislative Team

Take Action

Your voice has the power to defend freedom in Nebraska. Review the bills we're supporting this session, view our Advocacy Tools and check out ways you can easily Take Action!

Campaign for Smart Justice

LB 44, Sen. Chambers, eliminate the death penalty.
LB 89, Sen. Wayne, reduce penalties for marijuana possession.
LB 110, Sen. Wishart, legalize medical cannabis.
LB 154, Sen. Brewer, require investigation of missing Native American women.
LB 207, Sen. Morfeld, establish standards for death penalty defense.
LB 230, Sen. Pansing Brooks, end juvenile solitary confinement.
LB 282, Sen. Matt Hansen, end money bail for certain offenses.
LB 390, Sen. Pansing Brooks, set minimum standards for school police programs.
LB 589, Sen. Chambers, end school police programs.
LB 646, Sen. Chambers, end cash bail.
LB 739, Sen. Vargas, end solitary confinement for vulnerable populations.
LR 1CA, Sen. Wayne, constitutional amendment to eliminate slavery as criminal punishment.

Women’s Rights & Reproductive Justice

LB 13, Sen. Blood, eliminate sales tax on breastfeeding supplies.
LB 170, Sen. Hunt, eliminate sales tax on menstrual products.
LB 217, Sen. Pansing Brooks, strengthen equal pay laws.
LB 498, Sen. Wishart, expand family planning services in Medicaid.
LB 503, Sen. Hunt, ensure access to telemedicine abortion care.
LB 690, Sen. Cavanaugh, end shackling of incarcerated pregnant women.

LGBTQ rights

LB 167, Sen. Hunt, prohibit conversion therapy.
LB 535, Sen. Cavanaugh, prohibit a business receiving tax benefits from discriminating against any employee or applicant based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
LB 627, Sen. Pansing Brooks, provide nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ employees and applicants.
LB 689, Sen. Cavanaugh, prohibit housing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Immigrants’ Rights

LB 369, Sen. Vargas, require public notice before local law enforcement coordinates with ICE for immigration enforcement.
LB 502, Sen. Hunt, prevent local law enforcement from inquiring about immigration status.

Voting Rights

LB 83, Sen Wayne, end two-year waiting period to restore voting rights for returning citizens.
LB 253, Sen. McCollister, establish an independent redistricting commission.
LB 687, Sen Vargas, establish automatic voter registration.

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