[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6222242,"mediaKeyId","3610522-82c1ae721c8c6b3e34310f388c5e1498","parentId",3610522,"title","Floor debate intensifies on LB89, a bill restricting transgender students’ participation in school sports","audioSeconds",4441,"startMs",11789000,"endMs",16230000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3610522-82c1ae721c8c6b3e34310f388c5e1498&start=11789&end=16230","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3610522-82c1ae721c8c6b3e34310f388c5e1498/thumbnail_11789000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6222242/Nebraska/Floor-debate-intensifies-on-LB89-a-bill-restricting-transgender-students-participation-in-school-sports","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6222242-c0e944ebbae3a07e2483db9086e57cfc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770691750&Signature=TFVb8zkQL22J6a~PmRUvGFWmIaLeBEmkYw-nnCakHf-6m5A2p8FW0SNohtXkq10dxxEAmFln0GfssRPF5N7ASOEIcUzywNUk4yHrjFh~ggs~siTIw1UQd~ELcDZkI1Z9DY2LGT7d~fNrhVj1YhPkm8ZKugN19o1OydUM3uoL6ssy4sgPivT4nhKqfhC8cAqfNL4SX26e8ldNBY2MUKKL6V-JNt2EhVfA-x-ZXfpgDzwjA0RrkC24CYHoJpgeteeaAp3NEzCTOEewZjBkoS1fP1XFVMWNQyfR7fv6DTJMuztu~mILTNhMBCOjPDGiG0qDeasW-szH-g1nKAubG2B5gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Legislature","date","2025-05-28T00:00:00Z","article","Senators spent extensive floor time debating LB89, a bill that would require school athletic teams and competitive activities to be designated by biological sex and would impose documentation requirements for eligibility. The measure touched off a broader discussion about fairness in athletics, privacy, enforcement, and the Legislature’s role in disputes over gender identity.

Supporters argued the measure protects girls’ opportunities in competitive sports. \"This bill protects fairness, safety, and opportunity for our female athletes,\" said Senator Lippincott, pointing to scientific studies and athletic results he said demonstrate physical differences between biological males and females.

Opponents called the proposal harmful and legally risky. Senator Hunt, who led floor opposition, said the bill singles out a \"tiny, tiny number of trans students\" and \"creates problems, not solutions,\" citing recent national headlines where federal officials opened investigations into states’ treatment of transgender athletes. \"This bill doesn't solve problems. It creates them,\" she said, urging colleagues to consider the human consequences.

Floor discussion repeatedly returned to practical enforcement questions. Senators asked how schools should handle disputes during a game, whether a school or coach would be required to collect and store sensitive medical records, whether those doctor notes would be subject to public‑records requests, and the potential for litigation and federal funding consequences. Senator John Kavanaugh noted the bill does not define a required standard for the medical documentation or specify who qualifies as the signer, and he warned that the statute as written could create privacy and liability issues for schools.

The Legislature voted on procedural motions during the debate. A motion to recommit LB89 to committee was put on the floor and failed; senators later invoked cloture to limit further debate by recorded vote. The Clerk recorded the cloture vote and follow‑up votes during final‑reading procedures. The record shows extensive floor testimony on both sides and several roll‑call tallies on the procedural motions.

Advocates for the bill argued the measure is narrowly tailored to athletic competition and will preserve scholarships and competitive fairness for female athletes. Opponents said the bill is unnecessary (noting existing association policies) and will expose vulnerable students to stigma, privacy breaches, and possible family relocation. Stakeholders urged clarity on enforcement, privacy protections, and administrative burdens for districts before imposing new criminal or civil compliance risks on schools.

Lawmakers who sought to rework the bill asked for more detailed definitions, implementation guidance and an analysis of likely legal challenges. Sponsors said they would expect schools and the governing athletic association to adopt consistent administrative rules once the statute is in place; others warned that the bill’s gaps could produce costly law suits and routine intrusive inquiries into students’ private medical information.

Floor debate ended after a series of votes; the debate record shows persistent disagreement across the chamber about balancing fairness, privacy, and the Legislature’s authority to regulate these matters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Legislative Afternoon Session 5/28/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Legislature devoted extended floor time to LB89, which would require school athletic teams to be designated by biological sex and impose medical‑documentation requirements for participation; debate focused on fairness, privacy and enforcement.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NE, Nebraska","taxId",77675,"location","Nebraska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6222246,"Legislature passes LB4 15 after heated debate; motion to recommit fails",6870,900000,7770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3610522-82c1ae721c8c6b3e34310f388c5e1498&start=900&end=7770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3610522-82c1ae721c8c6b3e34310f388c5e1498/thumbnail_900000.jpg","/articles/6222246/Nebraska/Legislature-passes-LB4-15-after-heated-debate-motion-to-recommit-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6222246-a8db1a2c21b5a6c439e5c30f3abf8649/orig.mp4?Expires=1770691750&Signature=DBifEW2tnqLVr8VVlrngIoEWxdDEgp4IbbN~dNG2Z2A79ykY8TgkPwxFz6O8Slvmix8eUye-0McdL56FlPpTtJid-I5G2H0aVO5f8~nyo7x9LVTYXNMmUBVLYEA1iljtjMzsY6atvHx9qzkDP4pvfpM04cvX1574UjUKfJVNw1Otnb63vGnOjrw1N2wVe8aJRYWF6D2y6a-ZeOvcCW3EKIoyw2CmSo4Xx~wj5By~JKhO1z0Gj1PvLk~iyoo-ShAA9KtZxnuhTH~cCRn4asUb2shBEvAeOW-Bu~G3B6gdh~ESAxTtYHBfGq1~n0QS~eyRkDCvCDodw46IL-Idgfumtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Legislature passed LB4 15 following a protracted final‑reading debate and a failed motion to recommit the measure to committee. The bill implements elements tied to recent citizen initiatives on paid leave and minimum wage while revising portions that sponsors said are necessary to make the measure workable for employers and schools.

Sponsors said the measure balances worker protections and business realities. Senator Ballard, who carried technical changes on the floor, told colleagues the amendment package \"clarifies... paid time off and payment of time off for separation of employment\" and preserves employer paid‑time‑off plans that already meet or exceed the initiative requirements.

Opponents and backers used the floor to make broader arguments about the role of the Legislature and the will of voters. Senator Conrad and other supporters urged colleagues to respect the ballot result and allow broadly written citizen initiatives to take effect. \"The measure that they voted for already had a differential for small businesses versus large businesses,\" she said, arguing that the citizen vote should be implemented rather than narrowed.

Other senators said they supported targeted changes to avoid unintended consequences for small firms or for youth employment. Senator Jacobson cautioned that some small, rural businesses or employers with unique operating models could be unable to comply at short notice, and he argued for modifications to avoid forcing closures.

Procedural votes punctuated the debate. Senators rejected a motion to recommit LB4 15 to committee and then voted to invoke cloture to limit further debate. The Clerk’s roll call recorded 33 ayes and 15 nays on the final passage question. The Clerk later recorded the bill as passed and the measure will proceed to the governor’s desk per standard enactment procedures.

Supporters said the statute will create broader access to paid sick leave for many workers and lock in the minimum‑wage schedule that voters approved, while opponents said the changes still risked harming small enterprise and youth employment opportunities. Sponsors said they will continue to monitor implementation and make technical fixes in future sessions as needed.

What the bill does not change immediately is local ballot language or the fact that many specifics of implementation will be handled in administrative rules and employer payroll practice. Lawmakers said the department charged with implementation will need staff guidance and outreach to help employers comply with accrual and recordkeeping requirements.

Senators and staff said further technical work may be needed during the interim and in the next session as businesses and workers adapt to the new statutory framework.","After hours of floor debate and a failed motion to recommit, senators voted to pass LB4 15, the ballot‑initiative implementation bill affecting paid sick leave and related workplace provisions. Sponsors and opponents clashed over voter intent, impacts on small businesses and youth employment.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6222250,"Senators advance bill to create ongoing TEOSA financing review commission",4390,829000,5219000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3610522-82c1ae721c8c6b3e34310f388c5e1498&start=829&end=5219","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3610522-82c1ae721c8c6b3e34310f388c5e1498/thumbnail_829000.jpg","/articles/6222250/Nebraska/Senators-advance-bill-to-create-ongoing-TEOSA-financing-review-commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6222250-a5d020a1ab637fc2c6d18830284e29ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770691750&Signature=CN-VQ9nnM5DGdE233BteDCyHp91kDCiFMZ8OY8wFf0OBQdKK3u8PcxmKRpART3fKz5e90Y7B39elA4bjD~jkXvO-FXFXMRXusJJ04QodDJqqTUXWYOT7GEQ3ykUucJsbm58tvAoMggSqkyXKBv12~3WwzosrJ4kwm2IwQWe9QA4nmrNCmYvNntmEexVREyuiXBsbYJVeJai6q92V8AU7~73HWb7wTfF07rVydm2hEOiALlQF57S6Vp~ZjT77RziU3r9EuBRL2xLjFhDfyzIfKdve4ZNWqr~Hszg9xZB8gM9sEyv1mevefaerqc~gXSw7mWb-WVTtU7mfSiatemgSqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators adopted an amendment to LB303 on the floor Thursday to create a Financing Review Commission to regularly study Nebraska’s school-funding formula known as TEOSA and report findings to the Legislature.

Supporters said the commission is intended as a technical resource that can follow the formula year to year and provide context for lawmakers who face turnover from term limits. \"A commission has more time and arguably more expertise than our legislative body does to focus on the issue of school finance,\" said Senator DeBoer, who outlined the history of the original TEOSA oversight panel and said the new body would give lawmakers a recurring, expert briefing on complex funding factors.

Senators backing the amendment argued the formula is complex and has been altered repeatedly. \"TIOSA needs to be comprehensively examined,\" Senator DeBoer said, adding that a standing body can bring stakeholders together and produce a regular \"cliff notes\" update for the Legislature. Senator Greco told colleagues the commission would provide a more regular, professional look at how the formula is functioning and at the state’s heavy reliance on property taxes.

Members asked several procedural questions on the amendment and the commission’s structure during floor debate. Senator Hunt pressed for clarity on how the commission will define and measure \"needs\" and \"resources,\" how the commission would translate findings into actionable outcomes, whether its recommendations would be advisory or binding, and which out‑of‑state comparisons the panel would use. \"What will the commission define as a need and what will they count as a resource?\" she asked.

Other senators raised questions about membership selection and geographic and political balance. Senator Juarez said she had urged that appointments be made by the full committee rather than solely by committee chairs to ensure broader input. Supporters said the amendment attempted to balance representation among school types and to include at‑large members with subject‑matter expertise; Senator Hughes said she hoped some appointees would be retired practitioners able to view the state as a whole rather than another current local actor.

On the procedural record the Legislature adopted the amendment AM 15 93 by voice/roll call: the Clerk recorded 43 ayes and no nays on adoption. With that amendment adopted, senators advanced LB303 toward engrossment.

Observers and stakeholders who testified at earlier hearings urged the Legislature to preserve the commission’s technical focus and to specify appointment rules and reporting deadlines so the panel can produce timely, useful findings for the education and revenue committees.

The bill as amended sets up the review commission and directs it to evaluate how TEOSA performs across districts and over time, to consider outcomes for high‑need student groups, and to present findings to the Legislature for possible statutory changes. Further technical drafting on appointments, reporting cadence and staff support were discussed but left to the implementing language in the amendment.

Senators said the commission is intended to be an ongoing resource in a time of frequent turnover among legislators, to help prevent ad hoc tweaks that can have long‑term, unintended effects on school funding and property taxes. The legislation moves next through engrossing and enrollment review before final reading.","The Legislature adopted an amendment creating a standing Financing Review Commission to study Nebraska’s school-funding formula (TEOSA). Sponsors said the panel will provide ongoing technical review and recommendations; members pressed for clarity on appointment rules and representation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Floor debate intensifies on LB89, a bill restricting transgender students’ participation in school sports

Legislature passes LB4 15 after heated debate; motion to recommit fails

Senators advance bill to create ongoing TEOSA financing review commission