Judiciary Committee
January 21, 2026
Committee Chair: Sen. Carolyn Bosn | Bills Heard: 6 | Full Transcript (PDF)
LB751: Study on Missing Black Women and Children
Introduced by: Sen. Ashlei Spivey | Testimony: 6 proponents, 1 opponents, 0 neutral
Nebraska advances study on missing Black women and children, modeled after successful Indigenous persons investigation. Sen. Ashlei Spivey's LB751 commissions a one-year study to improve reporting and investigation of missing Black women and children in Nebraska, where 885 of 1,028 missing persons reported in 2023 were Black girls and women.
Why it matters: Black women and girls are disproportionately represented in missing persons cases nationally (36% of missing women despite comprising 14% of female population). The study aims to identify barriers to reporting, improve coordination between agencies, and develop policy recommendations—without mandating prioritization over other missing persons.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "Missing black women and children deserve the same urgency and care as any other missing person," said Dr. Eboni Caridine of the African American Commission. Caprice Hollis, whose sister Camisha went missing in 2018, wrote that the bill "acknowledges what so many families already know: there are gaps in how missing black women and children are reported, investigated, and prioritized." - Opponents: One opponent raised concerns about JAG Grant misuse, though testimony focused on broader judiciary issues rather than the bill itself.
By the numbers: 22 proponents, 1 opponent, 1 neutral online comment. No fiscal impact expected based on LB154 (2019) model for Indigenous persons.
What's next: No vote was taken during the hearing. The bill will advance through committee process.
LB741: Commission Representation on Racial Profiling and Children's Commissions
Introduced by: Sen. Terrell McKinney | Testimony: 3 proponents, 0 opponents, 1 neutral
Nebraska aligns African American Commission representation with existing Indian Affairs and Latino Affairs seats on two key advisory bodies. Sen. Terrell McKinney's LB741 adds representation from the Commission on African American Affairs to the Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Commission's Racial Profiling Committee and the Nebraska Children's Commission.
Why it matters: Black children are disproportionately represented in child welfare and juvenile justice systems. The bill follows legislative precedent from LB269 (2013), which added Indian Affairs representation to the Children's Commission, recognizing that meaningful reform requires direct representation from communities most impacted by these systems.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "These seats are not symbolic. They are where data is reviewed, accountability discussed, and improvements designed," said Tim Clark, chair of the African American Affairs Commission. Chloe Fowler of the Children's Commission noted the proposal was discussed and approved by the commission, calling it "well overdue." - Neutral: Scott Thomas raised concerns about whether selecting members based on race constitutes racial profiling and questioned whether representation should include other categories beyond race.
By the numbers: 3 proponents, 0 opponents, 1 neutral testifier.
What's next: No vote was taken. The bill will advance through committee process.
LB753: Military Protective Orders as Evidence
Introduced by: Sen. Victor Rountree | Testimony: 2 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral
Nebraska bridges military-civilian law enforcement gap by making military protective orders admissible in state courts. Sen. Victor Rountree's LB753 allows military protective orders (MPOs) issued by commanding officers to be introduced as evidence in civil protection order proceedings and enhances information sharing between military and civilian law enforcement.
Why it matters: Nebraska has over 15,000 active duty, National Guard, and reserve military members and nearly 7,000 military spouses. Military protective orders currently cannot be enforced by civilian law enforcement, creating a jurisdictional gap that leaves service members and families vulnerable to domestic violence. The bill ensures both military and civilian protections work in concert.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "This allows a victim's advocates to tell their clients a MPO would be admissible in court instead of telling their clients it should be," said Melanie Kirk of the Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence. Robert Ford, a retired Army colonel, testified that the bill ensures military protective orders registered in the Federal NCIC database are recognized and improves communication across jurisdictional lines.
By the numbers: 2 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral testifiers.
What's next: No vote was taken during the hearing.
LB876: Immediate Protective Orders Issued by Law Enforcement
Introduced by: Sen. Bob Hallstrom | Testimony: 4 proponents, 3 opponents, 1 neutral
Nebraska law enforcement would gain authority to issue 72-hour emergency protective orders under Hallstrom's LB876, but separation of powers concerns loom. The bill authorizes trained officers to issue immediate protective orders at domestic violence and sexual assault scenes, with judicial review to follow within 72 hours.
Why it matters: The period immediately after an abusive incident is most dangerous for victims. Current law requires waiting for court access, leaving victims vulnerable. In 2025, Nebraska experienced 30 domestic violence homicides. The bill aims to close that protection gap while victims seek longer-term civil orders.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "38% of domestic violence victims are revictimized; if a second incident occurs, that percentage jumps over 50%," testified Matt Barrall, a 27-year law enforcement veteran. Amanda Gershon, a domestic violence advocate, said the 72-hour protection "would have saved" her friend Jamie Hagen, who died last year. - Opponents: "An arresting officer is not a judge. An arresting officer is not a neutral magistrate," argued Spike Eickholt of the Criminal Defense Attorneys Association. Tim Hruza of the State Bar Association noted that other states requiring judicial approval—California, Texas, Virginia, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado—have officers request orders but judges issue them.
By the numbers: 4 proponents, 3 opponents, 1 neutral testifier.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Hallstrom indicated openness to working with opponents on language addressing separation of powers concerns.
LB818: Domestic Assault and Strangulation Penalties
Introduced by: Sen. Tanya Storer | Testimony: 4 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral
Nebraska would align domestic assault penalties with regular assault under Storer's LB818, closing a disparity that prosecutors say undermines justice. The bill increases penalties for first- and second-degree domestic assault, explicitly includes reckless conduct, and allows out-of-state convictions to enhance sentences—addressing what Sen. Storer called a shocking gap where assaulting a stranger with a baseball bat carries higher penalties than assaulting an intimate partner with the same weapon causing identical injury.
Why it matters: Domestic violence in Nebraska is escalating in frequency, severity, and lethality. In 2025, the state experienced 30 domestic violence homicides. Current law sends a message that violence against intimate partners is less serious than other assault, undermining victim safety and prosecutor accountability. Strangulation is a high-risk predictor of future homicide.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "The difference between non-DV assault and DV assault penalties have been astounding," testified Jennifer Meckna, a 27-year prosecutor and supervisor of Douglas County's domestic violence unit. "I often have to drop the DV tag just so that I can have a higher penalty." George Welch of the Attorney General's Office noted that a conviction 450 miles away in Scotts Bluff can enhance a current offense, but one 5 miles away in Council Bluffs cannot. - Opponents: None testified; a white copy amendment resolved opposition from the Criminal Defense Attorneys Association.
By the numbers: 4 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral testifiers. Amendment addresses tribal, state, and federal court convictions.
What's next: No vote was taken. Amendment was distributed to committee members.
LB789: Forfeiture by Wrongdoing Hearsay Exception
Introduced by: Sen. Carolyn Bosn | Testimony: 3 proponents, 2 opponents, 0 neutral
Nebraska would adopt federal forfeiture by wrongdoing rule, allowing courts to admit witness statements when defendants silence victims through intimidation. Sen. Carolyn Bosn's LB789 codifies an exception to the hearsay rule, permitting prior statements of unavailable witnesses when a defendant intentionally caused their unavailability to prevent testimony.
Why it matters: In domestic violence and human trafficking cases, perpetrators routinely use intimidation, threats, coercion, and manipulation to prevent victims from testifying. Without this rule, defendants exploit victim silence to avoid accountability. The bill aligns Nebraska with federal law and the majority of states while including safeguards requiring judicial determination of defendant wrongdoing.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "Nobody should be permitted to benefit from their own misconduct," testified Emily Medcalf, a domestic violence prosecutor. George Welch of the Attorney General's Office noted that currently Nebraska lacks a clearly defined forfeiture statute, forcing prosecutors to use residual hearsay exceptions or dismiss cases entirely. - Opponents: "This introduces civil standards in criminal process," argued Scott Thomas, raising concerns that the preponderance of evidence standard differs from the beyond-reasonable-doubt standard. Spike Eickholt of the Criminal Defense Attorneys Association proposed narrower language: "wrongfully caused by statements or acts" rather than the broader "wrongfully caused or acquiesced."
By the numbers: 3 proponents, 2 opponents, 0 neutral testifiers.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Bosn indicated openness to working with opponents on language refinements, particularly regarding the "by statements or actions" formulation.
Session Notes
The committee also heard three gubernatorial appointments: Christon MacTaggart (Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence), Kendra Bryant (Victim Reparations Committee), Mark Langan (Nebraska Board of Parole reappointment), and Janee M. Pannkuk (Nebraska Board of Parole). No testimony was offered in opposition to any of the appointments. The committee did not take votes on any bills or appointments during this hearing. Committee Chair Bosn noted that Vice Chair DeBoer was absent. Sen. Holdcroft served as Vice-Vice Chair for the final bill (LB789).
Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.