LINCOLN- Debate moved slowly on Thursday as state lawmakers opened discussion on a large number of rules changes designed to help the Legislature avoid the vitriol of the 2023 session. Over the course of a six-hour debate that often strayed into the minutiae of the Nebraska Legislature's rule book, two less controversial changes, which many lawmakers argued would help avoid the stifling of meaningful debate, were adopted.

The snail's pace speed of debate worked to the benefit of those who oppose any major rules changes, but Speaker of the Legislature John Arch set a January 19th deadline to complete the deliberations. "We don't have the time," said Arch, noting that dozens of pieces of legislation still need to be considered before the end of the short, 60-day session. Seventeen proposed rules changes were advanced by the Legislature's Rules Committee, but debate on these is not expected to be picked back up until next Tuesday, leaving only four days of debate for the remaining fifteen proposals.

Some lawmakers argued that the rules debate should be skipped entirely, including Sen. Megan Hunt, who said the body should instead focus on addressing the state's workforce shortage, teacher and housing shortages, and property tax relief--"things people really care about." Despite these concerns, Speaker Arch argued that the rules changes are necessary to preserve the majority while protecting the minority, and to avoid a repeat of the tumultuous 2023 session.

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