Senator Dover cites personal assault as he urges moving lawmakers to secured garage; employees and court officials push back

Senator Robert Dover introduced LB1245 to the Executive Board, saying the bill would direct the Department of Administrative Services to assign members of the Legislature to a secured parking facility at 1331 K Street and coordinate security with the Nebraska State Patrol. Dover framed the bill as a limited step to reduce risks faced by visible public officials and cited national research showing an increase in threats to elected officials.

"I was assaulted," Dover told the committee as part of a personal account of an attack he said occurred near Windsor Square. He used the episode to argue that threats commonly occur outside the Capitol and that improving off‑site access and egress is part of protecting continuity of government.

Opponents at the hearing argued the proposed garage would not deliver the increased security the bill promises. Chad Daly testified that "the parking facility at 1331 K Street offers no tangible increase in security," noting multiple pedestrian and vehicle access points he said are uncontrolled and arguing the lot’s surveillance and lighting are similar to other lots. Michael Costello, who said he parks in the 1331 K Street garage, told the committee the barrier arm has been bypassed during police pursuits and described the structure as publicly accessible on all sides. Casey Dunn Dawson, a former state employee, told lawmakers the bill did not adequately address impacts on downtown state employees and raised questions about how access would be restricted so spots would be used only by senators.

Corey Steele, State Court Administrator, testified in neutral capacity that the courts reviewed the site and asked Senator Dover to remove judges from the bill; the introducer presented an amendment to strike judges of the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court from LB1245 so those judges could remain in their current lot.

Committee members asked about who currently uses the affected lots (the OCIO was identified), whether senators would access the garage via the Capitol tunnel and whether elevator access to secured floors could be limited. Dover said access could be badged and managed "much like the Capitol is handled today." He also acknowledged uncertainty about fiscal impacts and said his office expected senator parking would not fill the entire garage and that remaining spaces could be available to state employees.

Chair Hansen noted for the record that the committee received zero letters in support of LB1245 and three in opposition. No formal vote was taken on the bill during the hearing.

What happens next: the committee closed the hearing on LB1245 without taking action; any amendment or future committee vote would be scheduled by the Executive Board.