LINCOLN — President Donald Trump’s executive orders to define “male” and “female” and mandate that student-athletes participate on sports teams according to their sex are bolstering legislative efforts to do the same in Nebraska.

State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, whose Legislative Bill 89 would accomplish similar goals as Trump, said she “absolutely” would continue pursuing her state-level legislation this year — the Stand With Women Act — regardless of congressional or federal action.

Kauth’s proposal would define “male” and “female” throughout state government, similar to the aims of a 2023 executive order by Gov. Jim Pillen. LB 89 has a public hearing before the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee on Friday.

Opponents of Kauth’s legislation and other policies like it have argued it singles out young students already at higher risk of bullying or suicide and who, they argue, just want to play sports. Nebraska has had fewer than 10 transgender student-athletes participate in K-12 sports under an existing policy since 2017.

Kauth has said her legislation is “common sense.”

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