The 109th Legislature approved a pair of small changes to its rules Wednesday before launching a debate over a third proposal that generated controversy among senators.

Right now, Nebraska law says a juvenile can be charged as an adult for a violent crime if they are between the ages of 14-18. This new bill, if passed, would lower that age to 12. LB 556 was officially introduced by Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston on Wednesday at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen.

Lawmakers can no longer give a “soft no” against ending debate or passing legislation during the Nebraska Legislature’s third and final stage of debate, unless they have a conflict of interest. Most senators in the officially nonpartisan Legislature’s Republican majority backed a pared-down rules change Thursday from State Sen.

A committee considering rules changes to how Nebraska lawmakers conduct themselves did not advance key conservative-led measures.

Arguments for whether Nebraska lawmakers should change the threshold needed to end debate and shut off a filibuster, possibly aiding conservative priorities, appear more centered on rural and urban interests than partisan goals.

The 109th Legislature approved a pair of small changes to its rules on Wednesday before launching a debate over a third proposal that generated controversy among senators.

No fewer than four state lawmakers are proposing ways to regulate medical cannabis after a pair of ballot initiatives legalizing the drug for medical purposes succeeded in November.

Dueling press conferences on Thursday offered two visions of juvenile justice in the future. State leaders will mull which path to take in the coming weeks and months.

The Stand With Women Act would prohibit people from using restrooms at schools and state agencies that do not correspond with the sex they were assigned at birth.

Nebraska lawmakers will return to their debate on transgender rights this session, as an Omaha senator introduced a bill Friday she's dubbed the "Stand with Women Act."

Transgender student-athletes in Nebraska K-12 schools would have a narrow path to participation in a new legislative proposal unveiled Wednesday seeking to codify existing guidelines. Legislative Bill 605,

Lawmakers seeking to avoid a “divisive culture war” unveiled a slate of legislation Thursday they said would help Nebraska’s working families and workforce development. A bipartisan group of 10 state senators in the officially nonpartisan Legislature — eight Democrats,