Story by Unicameral Update
LINCOLN, Neb - A proposal that would extend term limits for members of the Nebraska Legislature was amended and advanced to the final round of consideration last week (May 9).
LR19CA, introduced by Norfolk Sen. Robert Dover, would extend the current limit of two consecutive four-year terms for state senators to three consecutive four-year terms.
As introduced, the proposal would be placed on the November 2026 general election ballot. If approved by voters, the measure would take effect in 2028.
The measure was amended on general file to instead move the ballot question to a special election that would coincide with the May 2026 primary. Under the Nebraska Constitution, the Legislature may call a special state election with approval of four-fifths of elected members, or 40 votes.
During the second round of debate, Dover offered an amendment, adopted 31-0, to remove the provision moving the measure to the primary ballot.
Dover said he was unsure if enough lawmakers supported the proposal to reach the 40-vote threshold required. In addition, he said, several senators indicated a desire to have the measure decided at a general election, when voter turnout likely would be higher.
Central City Sen. Loren Lippincott offered an amendment that would require term-limited members to sit out two full terms — or eight years — before being eligible to run again. Currently, lawmakers are eligible after sitting out four years.
If lawmakers are allowed to serve three terms, Lippincott said, the waiting period before being eligible again also should be adjusted. Doing so would “level the playing field,” he said, by removing a former senator’s electoral advantage due to “entrenched power networks.”
“Let’s embrace a system that balances experience with renewal,” Lippincott said.
Dover opposed the amendment, saying term-limited senators should have an opportunity to bring their acquired knowledge back to the Capitol and that voters can be trusted to decide who represents them.
Sen. John Arch of La Vista also opposed the amendment. He expressed concern that adding another variable to the proposed constitutional amendment would complicate what should be a simple, clear choice for voters regarding the extension of existing term limits.
The Lippincott amendment failed on a 5-24 vote and LR19CA then advanced to final reading by voice vote.