LINCOLN- Nebraska's 'second house' participated in the legislative process with unprecedented numbers and passion during this past legislative session, which was contentious to say the least. Hundreds of Nebraska citizens showed up in person, filling legislative hearing rooms, overflow rooms, and even the Capitol's hallways for hearings on abortion, voter ID, guns, and gender-affirming care. Despite this, many left frustrated at not being able to testify, or angry about how a hearing was managed by legislators.

For this reason, Speaker of the Legislature John Arch, before lawmakers reconvene in January, hopes to find better ways to ensure that Nebraska's 'second house' can have their voices heard and engage more thoroughly with lawmakers. To do this, Speaker Arch introduced LR179 near the end of session, which calls for an examination of issues and concerns around public participation and which will provide recommendations for change.

"Ensuring that residents of Nebraska have the opportunity to have their voices heard is vital to the legislative process, the resolution states, "To ensure fair and useful dialogue, there must be a standard of respect and decorum in place for both the public, that observes, engages, and testifies in the front of the Legislature, and the members of the Legislature." Arch thinks one of the initial ways to fix this issue is to create new practices and standards for individual committee chairs, as well as work harder to convey to the public the practices and procedures of the Legislature.

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