LINCOLN – The Nebraska Legislature will at least debate the idea of requiring cities to set up citizen panels to provide oversight over police, an issue that arose during the riots and demonstrations following the police custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha won approval Thursday to allow debate on his police oversight board proposal on a 32-4 vote.

With only 14 days left in the 2020 session, Wayne said he understands he may not have enough time to get the proposal through a public hearing and three rounds of debate and be passed. But, the Black legislator said, the Legislature needs to respond now, not next year, to demonstrate that it "cares" about the pleas to do something about instances of racial injustice involving law enforcement.

The senator said his bill would require all Nebraska communities that have a full-time police officer to appoint a citizen committee to provide oversight over police activities. Lincoln, currently has such an oversight board, and Omaha has a six-member Citizen Complaint Review Board, but four years ago, several members resigned over complaints that the board was worthless.

A committee hearing about Wayne's proposal could be held no earlier than next Friday or the following Monday, under legislative rules. If the proposal is advanced from committee, it would require three rounds of approval by the Legislature. It could also be added as an amendment to another bill.

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