![Legislature, 4.11](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/3d/83d207e8-f82b-11ee-bb4d-d3a1ad95ec76/6618221b6236b.image.jpg?resize=150%2C100 150w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/3d/83d207e8-f82b-11ee-bb4d-d3a1ad95ec76/6618221b6236b.image.jpg?resize=200%2C133 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/3d/83d207e8-f82b-11ee-bb4d-d3a1ad95ec76/6618221b6236b.image.jpg?resize=225%2C150 225w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/3d/83d207e8-f82b-11ee-bb4d-d3a1ad95ec76/6618221b6236b.image.jpg?resize=300%2C200 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/3d/83d207e8-f82b-11ee-bb4d-d3a1ad95ec76/6618221b6236b.image.jpg?resize=400%2C267 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/3d/83d207e8-f82b-11ee-bb4d-d3a1ad95ec76/6618221b6236b.image.jpg?resize=540%2C360 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/3d/83d207e8-f82b-11ee-bb4d-d3a1ad95ec76/6618221b6236b.image.jpg?resize=640%2C427 640w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/3d/83d207e8-f82b-11ee-bb4d-d3a1ad95ec76/6618221b6236b.image.jpg?resize=750%2C500 750w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/3d/83d207e8-f82b-11ee-bb4d-d3a1ad95ec76/6618221b6236b.image.jpg?resize=990%2C660 990w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/3d/83d207e8-f82b-11ee-bb4d-d3a1ad95ec76/6618221b6236b.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C690 1035w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/3d/83d207e8-f82b-11ee-bb4d-d3a1ad95ec76/6618221b6236b.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C800 1200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/3d/83d207e8-f82b-11ee-bb4d-d3a1ad95ec76/6618221b6236b.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C888 1333w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/3d/83d207e8-f82b-11ee-bb4d-d3a1ad95ec76/6618221b6236b.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C984 1476w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/3d/83d207e8-f82b-11ee-bb4d-d3a1ad95ec76/6618221b6236b.image.jpg?resize=1763%2C1175 2008w)
Speaker John Arch of La Vista (right) listens to sendoff speeches at the Capitol on April 11.
With one day still to go in this year's legislative session, Nebraska lawmakers gave final approval to more than 100 bills Thursday, sending a wide range of legislation to Gov. Jim Pillen's desk — and saluting senators who will be term-limited this year in a round of glowing speeches.
The Legislature gave third-round approval to 71 bills and another 33 accompanying appropriations bills as the session's clock ticked away Thursday, which marked a productive and upbeat day for lawmakers who this year largely avoided the partisan fights over cultural issues that defined last year's legislative session.
Lawmakers did clash this year over controversial legislation, the Legislature's own rules and the behavior of a lawmaker who was reprimanded for sexualized remarks he made toward colleagues.
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But by Thursday, senators were more often teary-eyed than red-eyed as they offered farewell speeches to colleagues set to depart the Legislature next week, barring a special session.
"I was not expecting to get emotional about this," Sen. Jen Day of Omaha said as she offered a tribute to fellow Omaha Sen. Tony Vargas. "I think it's so interesting. We're moving at such a frenetic pace sometimes in session, and we get to the very, very end and then when you think about, 'Oh my gosh, I'm not gonna be able to work with these people anymore' and it makes you — it makes me sad."
![Legislature, 4.11](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/13/41310bc4-f820-11ee-89e0-23d20a8c28f0/66180f372470e.image.jpg?resize=150%2C100 150w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/13/41310bc4-f820-11ee-89e0-23d20a8c28f0/66180f372470e.image.jpg?resize=200%2C133 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/13/41310bc4-f820-11ee-89e0-23d20a8c28f0/66180f372470e.image.jpg?resize=225%2C150 225w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/13/41310bc4-f820-11ee-89e0-23d20a8c28f0/66180f372470e.image.jpg?resize=300%2C200 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/13/41310bc4-f820-11ee-89e0-23d20a8c28f0/66180f372470e.image.jpg?resize=400%2C267 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/13/41310bc4-f820-11ee-89e0-23d20a8c28f0/66180f372470e.image.jpg?resize=540%2C360 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/13/41310bc4-f820-11ee-89e0-23d20a8c28f0/66180f372470e.image.jpg?resize=640%2C427 640w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/13/41310bc4-f820-11ee-89e0-23d20a8c28f0/66180f372470e.image.jpg?resize=750%2C500 750w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/13/41310bc4-f820-11ee-89e0-23d20a8c28f0/66180f372470e.image.jpg?resize=990%2C660 990w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/13/41310bc4-f820-11ee-89e0-23d20a8c28f0/66180f372470e.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C690 1035w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/13/41310bc4-f820-11ee-89e0-23d20a8c28f0/66180f372470e.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C800 1200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/13/41310bc4-f820-11ee-89e0-23d20a8c28f0/66180f372470e.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C888 1333w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/13/41310bc4-f820-11ee-89e0-23d20a8c28f0/66180f372470e.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C984 1476w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/13/41310bc4-f820-11ee-89e0-23d20a8c28f0/66180f372470e.image.jpg?resize=1763%2C1175 2008w)
Sen. Jen Day of Omaha (left) is embraced by Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha after Day honored him for his service to the Legislature at the Capitol on Thursday.
Still, lawmakers dedicated most of their day to lawmaking, sending more bills to Pillen's desk Thursday than the body had in the previous 58 days combined.
The Legislature had given final approval to 86 bills prior to Thursday, 83 of which Pillen had signed. The governor vetoed one bill and had yet to consider two others as of Thursday morning.
Among the dozens of bills lawmakers sent to Pillen's desk Thursday was LB1092, which would require pornographic websites and other online distributors of "material harmful to minors" to verify the age of website users — a proposal that faced opposition from some lawmakers who characterized the bill as half-baked and raised concerns over its enforceability.
![Legislature, 4.11](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/b7/5b717802-f839-11ee-9944-63ba9d144b57/661839549574b.image.jpg?resize=150%2C107 150w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/b7/5b717802-f839-11ee-9944-63ba9d144b57/661839549574b.image.jpg?resize=200%2C143 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/b7/5b717802-f839-11ee-9944-63ba9d144b57/661839549574b.image.jpg?resize=225%2C161 225w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/b7/5b717802-f839-11ee-9944-63ba9d144b57/661839549574b.image.jpg?resize=300%2C214 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/b7/5b717802-f839-11ee-9944-63ba9d144b57/661839549574b.image.jpg?resize=400%2C286 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/b7/5b717802-f839-11ee-9944-63ba9d144b57/661839549574b.image.jpg?resize=540%2C386 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/b7/5b717802-f839-11ee-9944-63ba9d144b57/661839549574b.image.jpg?resize=640%2C457 640w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/b7/5b717802-f839-11ee-9944-63ba9d144b57/661839549574b.image.jpg?resize=750%2C536 750w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/b7/5b717802-f839-11ee-9944-63ba9d144b57/661839549574b.image.jpg?resize=990%2C707 990w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/b7/5b717802-f839-11ee-9944-63ba9d144b57/661839549574b.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C739 1035w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/b7/5b717802-f839-11ee-9944-63ba9d144b57/661839549574b.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C857 1200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/b7/5b717802-f839-11ee-9944-63ba9d144b57/661839549574b.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C952 1333w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/b7/5b717802-f839-11ee-9944-63ba9d144b57/661839549574b.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C1054 1476w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/b7/5b717802-f839-11ee-9944-63ba9d144b57/661839549574b.image.jpg?resize=1703%2C1216 2008w)
Sen. Robert Clements of Elmwood (left) stands with Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha as Wayne asks him a question on his bill during floor debate at the Capitol on Thursday, the second-to-last day of the session.
Introduced by Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, the bill would require adult websites, or third-party companies they contract, to verify that users attempting to access the sites are at least 18 years old through a "reasonable age verification method," which could include a photo ID or driver's license or other documentation — such as a credit card statement — that could serve as "a reliable proxy for age."
Murman's bill closely mirrors laws passed in eight other states over the past two years after porn sites to verify the age of users. Pornhub, one of the most popular websites in the world, that have enacted age verification laws.
"So, apparently, it's working," Murman said last this month.
Lawmakers gave the bill final approval on a 35-3 vote.
Among other bills lawmakers sent to Pillen's desk Thursday:
JUSTICE REFORM: LB631, passed on a 39-4 vote, would make a wide array of changes to Nebraska's parole and reentry processes for incarcerated individuals, including allowing inmates with fewer than three years left on their sentence to be placed at community work release and reentry centers, which the state will develop and operate through public-private partnerships.
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Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha looks over documents at the Capitol on Thursday. More than 100 bills received final approval on the second-to-last day of this year's 60-day session.
The bill would also create the Reentry Continuity Advisory Board, which will include the director of the state's prison system and the system's inspector general, among other members tasked with monitoring the efficacy of reentry services.
LB631 also outlines new attendance and training requirements for Nebraska's Board of Parole and calls for the Department of Correctional Services to help reentering inmates obtain a state ID card or driver's license before their release date.
SAFE HAVEN: LB876, advanced on a 47-0 vote, would expand Nebraska's Safe Haven law to allow parents to surrender newborn infants at staffed fire and police stations, in addition to hospitals. The law would apply to infants as old as 90 days old, rather than the 30-day threshold previously allowed.
FELON VOTES: LB20, passed Thursday on a 38-6 vote, would restore voting rights to ex-felons upon completion of their sentence.
FIREFIGHTER FUND: LB686, sent to Pillen's desk on a 43-2 vote, would for firefighters in cities with a population between 5,001 and 100,000 residents.
COURT DEADLINE: LB1167, advanced on a 40-1 vote, requires that detainees who are arrested without a warrant appear before a judge within seven days of their arrest.
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Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue (right) sheds a tear as she is hugged by Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha after being honored for her service to the Legislature at the Capitol on Thursday.
GUNS IN SCHOOLS: LB1329, a package of education bills passed on a 40-0Â vote, includes legislation that would in schools and at school activities.
DONATE DRUGS: LB1035, passed on a 47-0Â vote, would create a prescription drug donation program allowing manufacturers, health care facilities and individuals to donate unopened prescription or over-the-counter drugs for redistribution.
SWORN AND SIGNED: LB1120, sent to Pillen's desk on a 45-0 vote, would require anyone purchasing property within near military installation in most Nebraska counties to sign an affidavit stating they are not affiliated with any foreign government.
GUARD RELIEF: LB1394, passed on a 41-0Â vote, exempts members of the Nebraska National Guard from paying income taxes on their service-related earnings.
HISTORIC AGENCY: LB1169, advanced on a 39-4Â vote, would make History Nebraska, formerly known as the Nebraska State Historical Society, a state agency whose director would be appointed by and report to the governor.
The Legislature will reconvene next Thursday for the last day of this year's 60-day session.
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Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn embraces Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar after honoring her with a sendoff Thursday for her work at the Legislature. Both senators are term-limited.
Pillen open to special session; LPS hosts student summit; woman honored for WWII efforts
Photos: Nebraska Legislature gavels in for first day of 2024 session
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Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City (right) speaks to Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue during the first day of the Nebraska Legislature on Wednesday.
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Sen. Tom Brandt (left) of Plymouth speaks to Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha during the first day of the Nebraska Legislature on Wednesday.
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Sens. Anna Wishart of Lincoln (from left), Megan Hunt of Omaha and Danielle Conrad of Lincoln stand together during the first day of the Nebraska Legislature on Wednesday at the Capitol.
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Clerk of the Legislature Brandon Metzler (right) collects a ballot for the chairperson of the Executive Board from Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln during the first day of the Legislature on Jan. 3.
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Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha (left) embraces Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara during the first day of the Legislature on Wednesday.
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Senators and the public stand during the presentation of colors at the Capitol on Wednesday, the first day of the 2024 legislative session.
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Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha (right) speaks to Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha during the first day of the Legislature on Wednesday.
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Sen. John Lowe of Kearney smiles during the first day of the Legislature on Wednesday at the Capitol.
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Sens. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue (from left), Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City, and Barry DeKay of Niobrara stand for the Pledge of Allegiance during the first day of the Legislature on Wednesday.
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Sen. Raymond Aguilar of Grand Island nominates himself to be chairperson of the Executive Board during the first day of the Legislature on Wednesday.
![Legislature first day, 1.3](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/d0/dd00996a-6114-5ee9-83cf-9b39dc217043/6595bbc31656d.image.jpg?resize=150%2C103 150w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/d0/dd00996a-6114-5ee9-83cf-9b39dc217043/6595bbc31656d.image.jpg?resize=200%2C138 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/d0/dd00996a-6114-5ee9-83cf-9b39dc217043/6595bbc31656d.image.jpg?resize=225%2C155 225w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/d0/dd00996a-6114-5ee9-83cf-9b39dc217043/6595bbc31656d.image.jpg?resize=300%2C207 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/d0/dd00996a-6114-5ee9-83cf-9b39dc217043/6595bbc31656d.image.jpg?resize=400%2C276 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/d0/dd00996a-6114-5ee9-83cf-9b39dc217043/6595bbc31656d.image.jpg?resize=540%2C372 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/d0/dd00996a-6114-5ee9-83cf-9b39dc217043/6595bbc31656d.image.jpg?resize=640%2C441 640w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/d0/dd00996a-6114-5ee9-83cf-9b39dc217043/6595bbc31656d.image.jpg?resize=750%2C517 750w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/d0/dd00996a-6114-5ee9-83cf-9b39dc217043/6595bbc31656d.image.jpg?resize=990%2C682 990w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/d0/dd00996a-6114-5ee9-83cf-9b39dc217043/6595bbc31656d.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C713 1035w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/d0/dd00996a-6114-5ee9-83cf-9b39dc217043/6595bbc31656d.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C827 1200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/d0/dd00996a-6114-5ee9-83cf-9b39dc217043/6595bbc31656d.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C918 1333w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/d0/dd00996a-6114-5ee9-83cf-9b39dc217043/6595bbc31656d.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C1017 1476w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/d0/dd00996a-6114-5ee9-83cf-9b39dc217043/6595bbc31656d.image.jpg?resize=1735%2C1195 2008w)
Sen. Fred Meyer of St. Paul (left) speaks to Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha during the first day of the Legislature on Wednesday.
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Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha (left) speaks to Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner during the first day of the Legislature on Jan. 3. Senators will start debating technical and noncontroversial rules changes on Thursday.
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Speaker John Arch of La Vista addresses his colleagues during the first day of the Legislature on Wednesday. Arch has scheduled as many as seven days on the legislative calendar for a rules debate.