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Bill would let Nebraska Hall of Fame name a living inductee; sponsors point to Tom Osborne
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Summary
Sen. Dan Linowski introduced LB1159 to let the Nebraska Hall of Fame commission name one living person before Jan. 1, 2027, with eligibility criteria that Linowski said fit former Cornhuskers coach and U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne. Supporters, including a University of Nebraska–Lincoln student speaker, urged swift action; no formal vote was taken at the hearing.
Senator Dan Linowski introduced LB1159 at the request of the governor, asking the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee to allow the Nebraska Hall of Fame commission to name one living person before Jan. 1, 2027. Linowski said the bill narrows eligibility — the inductee must have been a U.S. House member, a former head coach of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln football team, a former UNL athletic director and an attendee of Hastings High School — and that coach Tom Osborne meets those criteria.
"It is not surprising that these requirements are met by coach Tom Osborne," Linowski told the committee, and later asked, "Why wait?" He told senators the bill was submitted on behalf of the governor, who could not attend the hearing.
Nicholas Stefanik, speaking for the Association of Students at the University of Nebraska, testified in support. "We are in strong support of LB 11 59," Stefanik said, citing Osborne's role in founding the Teammates mentoring program and his service in Congress representing Nebraska's 3rd District.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about the relationship between the Hall of Fame and commemorative busts in the Capitol and whether other individuals could meet the bill's criteria. Senator John Kavanaugh noted the fiscal note lists the cost of a bust; Linowski and others acknowledged that the bill was written with Osborne in mind but said the statutory language could apply to others who meet the listed conditions.
Senator Linowski noted online comments for the record — two proponents, three opponents and one neutral — and the committee heard brief supportive remarks from Senator Meyer before the hearing closed. No formal committee action or vote occurred at the hearing; the introducer said he would remain available and asked for the committee's consideration of advancing the bill.
The committee record for LB1159 reflects in-person testimony and online comments; the next procedural step would be committee consideration for advancement or amendment.
