Nebraska committee hears proposals to extend legislative term limits from two to three consecutive terms

At a hearing of the Executive Board of the Nebraska Legislature, senators and a slate of business, municipal and policy witnesses testified on LR 27 CA and LR 19 CA, twin resolutions proposing a constitutional amendment to extend legislative term limits from two consecutive four-year terms to three.

Proponents argued the change would give lawmakers more time to develop expertise and relationships needed to tackle complex, long-term issues. "Most of us who have served understand it takes a couple years... to kind of get your feet under you," said Senator Megan Hunt, who opened on LR 27 CA. Senator Robert Dover, the introducer of LR 19 CA, told the committee that conversations with current and former senators and staff highlighted "loss of institutional knowledge" under the current two-term limit.

The proposal drew wide support from business and policy groups. "This is not a big step to go to three terms instead of two terms, and it will increase the level of expertise on a myriad of complex issues," said Brian Sloan, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Rebecca…