Nebraska’s unicameral, nonpartisan legislature makes the passage of a bill less complicated than in other states. Nebraska has already passed LB 403, which requires the use of E-Verify for public contractors.
Political Landscape
2011 Session: January 5–May 26, 2011
Unicameral Legislature: State Senator Charlie Janssen (Freemont) has said that he plans to introduce an illegal immigration bill during the 2011 legislative session. However, the bill will likely have to be advanced by the legislature's judiciary committee, which has a higher percentage of Democrats than the legislature as a whole.
Governor: Governor Dave Heineman (R) has said he will work with the state attorney general, Jon Bruning, to craft a law similar to Arizona's for the 2011 legislative session. Bruning is researching it.
NCLR’s Nebraska State Assessment: Possibly debated
The bill stands a chance at passing in Nebraska's largely conservative legislature. The state has the only one-house, nonpartisan legislature in the country, meaning that agreement from 24 senators can get a bill passed. Nebraska also filed a legal brief in support of Arizona’s controversial immigration law.
