LINCOLN — State legislators closed out a unique, coronavirus-interrupted session Thursday by passing a modest property tax relief bill and barely mustering the votes to adopt a ban on an abortion method.

Unlike most past sessions, there wasn’t a “soft landing” on the final day. Senators, including one fighting back tears, launched into an emotional debate that pitted personal liberties against the science of wearing face masks to fend off COVID-19.

It was somehow fitting — the final 17 days of the session were marked by angry exchanges and lectures to behave, at a tenor and volume not usually seen at the State Capitol. The session shut down in mid-March because of the coronavirus outbreak and resumed in late July with new safety practices and precautions.

But Gov. Pete Ricketts still made the traditional end-of-session appearance to thank senators for their work. This year, he highlighted the property tax bill, money for flood relief, a veterans tax cut, creation of a new career scholarship program and passage of the abortion method ban.

Thursday marked the final day on the legislative floor for State Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, whose fiery speeches about racism and legendary procedural blockades of bills he hated often fomented frustration, discomfort and grumbling. Chambers, who is term-limited for a second time, has spent 46 years in the legislature.

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