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Panel hears LR299CA to create a Nebraska Board of Commutation; ACLU backs more-structured commutation reviews
Summary
LR299CA would move commutation authority to a newly created seven-member Nebraska Board of Commutation appointed by the governor and confirmed by the legislature. Supporters, including the ACLU, said the change would add expertise, transparency, and accountability; no opponents testified during the hearing.
Michael Lee Jr. presented LR299CA on behalf of Senator McKinney, describing a constitutional amendment to transfer commutation authority from the current Board of Pardons and place it with a seven-member Nebraska Board of Commutation comprised of appointed experts and individuals with lived experience. The proposal would preserve pardons, respites, and reprieves for the existing elected officials and affect only commutations.
Jason Witmer of ACLU Nebraska testified in support, saying the change would not expand eligibility or automatically shorten sentences but would add expertise in mental health, restorative justice, and criminal law to the decision-making process and formalize transparency and victim-notification procedures. He said the amendment would leave appointment and confirmation steps in place and thus retain democratic accountability.
No neutral or opposing testimony was recorded and the committee closed the hearing without further action.
