LINCOLN- Nebraska is one of seven states in the United States that doesn't make its legislative proceedings available on demand. However, under LB254, a bill introduced by Sen. Tom Brewer that would require the legislature to record and store all legislative proceedings, that may change. The creation of this new digital archive, according to Sen. Brewer, would help citizens better understand what's going on in the Nebraska Legislature.

"We have a desire on everybody's part to tell the story of the Legislature," said Brewer, "And so many of our committee hearings are fascinating the people that come to testify and that's all lost unless you happen to be sitting in front of the TV when it's on." Civic Nebraska, a nonprofit that encourages civic engagement in Nebraska, expressed support for the bill as well.

"Providing video coverage of the Legislature to the public increases the capacity for different organizations and other to use clips of floor debate and committee hearings to educate people," said Heidi Uhing, Public Policy Director for Civic Nebraska. However, LB254 has been pushed back on the agenda to allow for debate on more contentious topics, like abortion and a gender-affirming care ban. Despite this, Brewer stated that he was optimistic it would be passed.

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