[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6371425,"mediaKeyId","2149715-993a2a793d49285833ec4fca5e478810","parentId",2149715,"title","Committee hears move to consolidate protection-order laws and allow longer initial protections","audioSeconds",1590,"startMs",11196000,"endMs",12786000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149715-993a2a793d49285833ec4fca5e478810&start=11196&end=12786","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149715-993a2a793d49285833ec4fca5e478810/thumbnail_11196000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6371425/Nebraska/Committee-hears-move-to-consolidate-protection-order-laws-and-allow-longer-initial-protections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371425-7de03950ea7c308b508c5b3f30146460/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171144&Signature=HB-9AHiOuYrBYchF1pwwZSHO0GB4DhCFFg5kLV1qstPKqvxDZ84300AwIPv3GQ9VpjWn-CrrG-L3VqnJiP9Pr7V~451v8exjV-OKFcrdY2ruXirHTbj9pNlDCiEZX-ZS4NQTZb-UVU7XxzLcrCiY1TMAG3q7qCcnUAut-BuxTtAh6umJC1ebRJQAPmBEgBS1LeSJ7CcdIglalwYCxz6I35h2Ukk5zN0u-de8gbXDOggIpoh3LDyK~e12Us3YFSL2Cf9ROyxKMpcLHol3VGiQFICkDP59M8D5DhgatE1qyBj3lwXz6dpp-DjH~KRHDmjEGyJ3UFi8ZPCBx7kRQ13CLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Legislature","date","2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","article","Sen. Bob Holstrom told the Judiciary Committee LB 80 would consolidate Nebraska’s existing protection-order statutes (harassment, domestic abuse, and sexual-assault protection orders) into a single Protection Orders Act, standardize the relief courts may grant, and give judges discretion to issue initial orders for one to two years.

Holstrom said consolidation would simplify filing for survivors and reduce administrative friction. Melanie Kirk, legal director of the Nebraska Coalition (the state’s network of domestic- and sexual-violence programs), testified the change would let judges grant up to two years initially and ease the burden on survivors who otherwise must re-litigate or renew annually. She said 34 states already allow longer initial durations and that longer orders can reduce repeat abuse.

County attorneys and victim-advocacy groups testified in support of harmonizing the statutes and improving ex parte renewal clarity. Christopher Johnson (Nebraska County Attorneys Association) described the current practice of multiple forms and a judicially created flowchart that can confuse pro se petitioners; he said consolidation would reduce errors caused by misplaced filings. Several victim advocates and family-advocacy witnesses gave personal testimony underscoring safety needs.

Opposition focused narrowly on the bill’s provision allowing judges to make an initial order last up to two years. Spike Eicholdt, representing the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, said his group supported consolidation but opposed extending the default maximum without more guardrails, arguing that longer statutory durations can produce collateral consequences and unintended enforcement outcomes. The Bar Association asked for additional time to finalize a position and flagged ripple effects across family, juvenile, and criminal practice areas; its leadership planned a vote of its House of Delegates after the hearing.

Holstrom and proponents stressed the bill would not create new criminal penalties; it would make the civil protection-order framework clearer, preserve judicial discretion, and allow clerks to assist with procedural completeness (but not legal advice). The sponsor offered AM 33 to align relief language across the protection-order types. The committee did not record a vote and sponsors said they would continue discussions with defense counsel and the State Bar to refine the duration provision and other drafting details.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Judiciary Committee January 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Sen. Bob Holstrom introduced LB 80 to consolidate harassment, domestic abuse and sexual-assault protection orders into a single Protection Orders Act, permit initial protection orders of up to two years (judge’s discretion), and clarify renewals, clerk assistance with forms, and electronic service of certified orders.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NE, Nebraska","taxId",77675,"location","Nebraska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6371430,"Defense access to seized phones and digital evidence debated in Judiciary Committee hearing on LB 93",4344,2798000,7142000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149715-993a2a793d49285833ec4fca5e478810&start=2798&end=7142","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149715-993a2a793d49285833ec4fca5e478810/thumbnail_2798000.jpg","/articles/6371430/Nebraska/Defense-access-to-seized-phones-and-digital-evidence-debated-in-Judiciary-Committee-hearing-on-LB-93","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371430-9688b7baa8b2e660e6a27b2ef195b471/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171144&Signature=PVxoJ7FQy7aioGryzIQF~NwkoobCgikL1iwn9VMMU6zA2wbwnIhw2S83HjrmPOT~Z0Z2V20v5hl8PQzagllmdhhSwIGCenTByyGrC1yoOjXVxiVMOZiiZt8h8T06Fke0bRCICJpJndJEJobn-HT6yvjWxhk0uD09DhjLLCCARFOy1vdJR3y4lIuFEMe2GXtemKqxj-sDcQnTYIGTDAaVgb0s0X28k4dNScQfVynO80S51bPYqyLZIaG4Va8PnwSwvaPpTeKwe4AwIcTZM~CoShjl9D~DEhLP8TJeQKVSj~VN~ffVMKYocnBRJo3dt9sgbd5NxzfXq7i3j-3ZLU~1Bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. George Dungan told the Judiciary Committee LB 93 clarifies and updates Nebraska’s pretrial discovery rules to address seized electronic evidence and the reciprocal disclosure of expert reports and opinions.

Dungan said judges already sometimes order defense access to evidence (for example, DNA and, in some cases, phones), but the statute is ambiguous about whether courts have clear authority to permit defense experts to conduct independent testing of electronic communication devices, computers, or derived data. LB 93 would explicitly allow a court, when appropriate, to order prosecuting attorneys to make such evidence or analyses available for independent testing by a defense expert, subject to judicial safeguards. The bill also would clarify ongoing disclosure obligations if parties obtain additional evidence or an expert changes an opinion.

Criminal defense attorneys told the committee the change is necessary to avoid one-sided access to raw digital data (for instance, Sell‑brite-style extractions) and to let defense experts validate or authenticate screenshots, deleted-message traces, or other device data. Mallory Hughes and Paul Lembrick described cases where only screenshots or partial extracts were initially available and where independent forensic examination resolved authenticity questions and materially affected case outcomes.

County attorneys and the Nebraska County Attorneys Association raised concerns about privacy of third parties, the limits of search-warrant parameters, the potential for defendants to obtain data outside a warrant’s scope, and the cost burden on counties for expert testing when court-appointed counsel is used. Dan Zieg (Nebraska County Attorneys Association) suggested procedural safeguards and protective orders and said he was open to working on narrowly tailored amendments. NACO provided an estimate of potential county costs for appointed counsel experts; defense witnesses and the sponsor pushed back that usage would be limited and costs are incurred as part of providing constitutionally required defense services.

Several senators asked about standards and thresholds for a judge to grant defense access and whether there should be evidentiary showings (e.g., a good‑faith basis that independent testing will be materially relevant). The sponsor and defense witnesses said judges would act as gatekeepers and that existing practice includes judicial conditions and protective orders in cases where courts have allowed independent testing.

No final action was taken; the sponsor said he and stakeholders would work on amendments to address county concerns and define procedural safeguards.","LB 93 would clarify that, if prosecutors have an electronic communication device or analysis that is material to a criminal case, a court may order the device or data be made available so a defense expert can conduct similar tests; sponsors framed it as a statutory clarification to ensure judges can order reciprocal expert access.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6371435,"Senate hearing seeks tougher penalties for motor-vehicle homicide that kills an unborn child",1373,3227000,4600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149715-993a2a793d49285833ec4fca5e478810&start=3227&end=4600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149715-993a2a793d49285833ec4fca5e478810/thumbnail_3227000.jpg","/articles/6371435/Nebraska/Senate-hearing-seeks-tougher-penalties-for-motor-vehicle-homicide-that-kills-an-unborn-child","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371435-7459562be4559f871c83e515890b1c90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171144&Signature=fu5kuQ0xTU0uXGDhs505Vm4fABX3HrjsKa-zj5XmADCJfKya99p2oQoJfUV3SrFvjg07msRvbIJBYChtxeB0WX4VkkpCLI6cfSjUn1BVopS1eQs~1vPrC5~vdViWv0rRYqURjzi4cY6-kPulVOR5sHMdIaUmIfXd6zWDouosbCEOju2UWF9Kl87a7ZGjmLof0DsJd~v7-hDYYg4iHtual5VXIYjqgZ1vFdViWTSuuzeXw6SZ8PDRo20DbdhfKkOnsJlWVm8aYUzo4vhP-OfpvaOU5BKwFoiCZJ0MbAITRPETtPSmejKzr~BUVGmZWIjHh56XE-o4Lqn0XJnNLlx0BQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Rick Holcroft introduced LB 124 to align penalties for motor vehicle homicide when an unborn child dies while a driver is under the influence with the penalties for motor vehicle homicide of any other person.

Holcroft told the Judiciary Committee the current statute treats motor-vehicle homicide of an unborn child while driving under the influence as a Class 3A felony with a maximum of three years, while motor vehicle homicide of another person in the same circumstances is a Class 2A felony with up to 20 years. He said the difference is an anomaly and asked the committee to harmonize the statutes so judges have the same sentencing discretion when the fatality is an unborn child.

Ryan Lindbergh, Deputy Douglas County Attorney and representative of the Nebraska County Attorneys Association, supported the bill and described prior cases in which an unborn child died due to an intoxicated motorist. Lindbergh said the disparity in available sentences created an arbitrary distinction and that harmonizing the penalty would ensure consistent treatment across fatality statutes. Several victim advocates and family members testified in favor: Darla Bengtson described the 2022 death of her daughter, the unborn child, and another family member in a high-speed crash involving an intoxicated driver and urged the committee to support tougher penalties. Public-safety advocates and organizations including Project Extra Mile and Nebraska Right to Life also testified in support.

Opponents included the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association (represented by Spike Eicholdt), whose testimony argued that increasing the penalty risks over-criminalization and could alter defendants' incentives to litigate meritorious defenses, with broader consequences for plea dynamics and court resources. He urged caution and proposed alternative approaches, such as adjusting penalties differently to preserve proportionality across statutes.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about who would be charged, how penalties aggregate when both mother and unborn child die, and whether harmonizing penalties would change prosecutorial practice. Supporters said the bill would simply harmonize classifications and provide judges more latitude in sentencing; the sponsor said he formerly carried similar legislation and planned to move the measure forward again.

No committee vote was recorded at the conclusion of the hearing.","Sen. Rick Holcroft asked the Judiciary Committee to harmonize penalties so motor vehicle homicide resulting in the death of an unborn child while driving under the influence carries the same felony classification (2A) and sentencing range as motor vehicle homicide for other victims.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6371440,"Committee considers banning nitrous oxide sales at some tobacco and vape retailers after rise in recreational use",1407,1701000,3108000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149715-993a2a793d49285833ec4fca5e478810&start=1701&end=3108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149715-993a2a793d49285833ec4fca5e478810/thumbnail_1701000.jpg","/articles/6371440/Nebraska/Committee-considers-banning-nitrous-oxide-sales-at-some-tobacco-and-vape-retailers-after-rise-in-recreational-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371440-b9ac40f5d8ac82a4b32338dab9a413c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171144&Signature=PHq7~1wwVfzcnocVOrhUIQYXwyd7Bx9fIbuAPYAhuNTJvTN7fZj8kFVQ6dqBO-~SQ-vPKoSLUFw6KMfdE67dE0fTG~1IDsbQMaJaYVkVy3qXlnWWo2cOJ4Vd4P4fThLmfYkKTJtx1SQqwlbLsSYxoXIoG1WFYJcNn~0hF5jbciJ4y9W8-UOAaHU10WKUar57wjbTP9IOhlAs37XVJNljXejuxYCb-lOP6PDJGeAsMJohcWuE4s~ZZ-C4FrC1OJzYFplKJAEYO-lNmIIcrmjL~rHuf6ZY2wMYNfr9pQmuDZq6zs1PrR3devuYazRj1qA5nzyxfhbE9neBuEYWqw1q~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Barry DeKay introduced LB 184, a bill intended to restrict retail sales of nitrous oxide propellant canisters and equipment used to inhale those products for recreational use. The sponsor told the committee he seeks guardrails on shops that sell canisters and accessories that have been marketed in ways that appear to target minors.

DeKay said the measure would: bar the sale or distribution of products containing nitrous oxide at tobacco specialty stores (with an amendment limiting scope to licensed tobacco specialty stores), prohibit online sales by tobacco-license holders, and ban sale of objects specifically designed to inhale nitrous oxide recreationally. He described an observed trend of vape and smoke shops selling flavored, large canisters marketed for culinary use that nevertheless appear targeted for intoxication.

Owners of vape stores and hospital and public‑health witnesses testified. Sarah Linden, owner of Generation V (a Nebraska vape-store chain), said her stores refuse to sell nitrous oxide but described how colorful branded canisters and social-media videos normalize recreational use and pose safety risks. Other proponents, including Dr. Roger Donovic (DHHS previously in the nitrous hearing; separate item) and public witnesses described the health consequences of chronic nitrous oxide misuse, including vitamin B12 inactivation and nerve damage.

Committee members asked whether the bill’s wording could unintentionally restrict genuine culinary or medical uses and whether the measure should extend to liquor stores, gas stations, and other retailers. DeKay said he would accept amendments to broaden the list of prohibited sellers if that made the bill more effective. Several senators expressed concerns that sellers could add disclaimers claiming culinary use, complicating enforcement under language that targets devices \"specifically designed for inhaling nitrous oxide for recreational purposes.\" The sponsor has filed amendments (AM 21, later AM 37) to refine online‑sales language and to narrow the tobacco‑specialty-store limitation.

Proponents urged the committee to advance LB 184 as a start to curb what they described as predatory marketing and easy availability of large-volume canisters used at parties. Opponents did not appear at the hearing; no final vote occurred at the committee meeting.","Senators heard testimony on LB 184 to prohibit sales of nitrous oxide products at tobacco specialty stores and to restrict online sales and devices designed for inhaling nitrous oxide for recreational use, citing public‑health risks and marketing toward minors.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6371445,"Nebraska committee hears bipartisan bills to broaden statutory language for opioid reversal drugs",1436,234000,1670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149715-993a2a793d49285833ec4fca5e478810&start=234&end=1670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149715-993a2a793d49285833ec4fca5e478810/thumbnail_234000.jpg","/articles/6371445/Nebraska/Nebraska-committee-hears-bipartisan-bills-to-broaden-statutory-language-for-opioid-reversal-drugs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371445-664ce0c2f1b277bba8c02f0595506476/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171144&Signature=XwUp4RpolP4ZZldGNBSHGHie~8lQrMu6-BEH4s~3b0EsCiPa8k9TwOitKz78jGNh7Oya7lTwF9ostHb0BGPYj4T-h6QDrD57ZeXzMgWb2z3PDx4zE1~ihhP2QP4TR4nqjQdDmIv4W2qPJdwK4XZMT8n-YQZSYl7Xtx-C57AnFTVJHt9Dk5dFk0oBLMaD2HMXein4pq0iikcG~SA-WCVwLe8nrHOwfiZRNuRildvmmaB7WM-TTLs8bYfxgNYekMSFauAIWpJl-tVpvoqNP6I8YE2dfn20Y~8p0WwNMRBgzL~dCCuu29SyWZl4U1ZwLgaXlis~Vi~-iVPZF5gARI-rsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Carolyn Bosn, chair of the Judiciary Committee, opened a combined hearing on LB 5 and LB 195, bills that would expand Nebraska statutory language to cover opioid overdose reversal medications beyond brand-name naloxone.

Supporters told the committee the change would let the state's standing order and civil/criminal immunity clauses cover generic naloxone products and future FDA-approved reversal agents, which could improve access in rural and underserved areas.

Sen. Glenn Meyer, sponsor of LB 195, said the bills would update state law to reflect market changes since the statute named naloxone specifically. “LB 195 will improve access to opioid overdose reversal medications by updating the statutory language to include the broader term opioid overdose reversal medication,” Meyer said at his opening. Dr. Thomas Janousek, acting director of the Division of Behavioral Health at the Department of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Roger Donovic, the department’s executive medical officer, testified in support and urged the committee to adopt broad language so future FDA-approved products would be covered without repeated legislative changes.

Dr. Donovic told the committee opioid reversal drugs are safe and effective and that expanding the statute would remove barriers to life-saving interventions. He said the broader term would avoid limiting the statute to a single therapeutic class and allow later agents, such as nalmefene if it becomes appropriate for lay use, to be included.

Committee members asked whether over-the-counter versions would be covered, whether there are adverse effects if a reversal agent is given to someone not experiencing an overdose, and whether federal funds cover distribution of naloxone programs. Witnesses said typical side effects are mild (dizziness, headache, gastrointestinal upset), allergic reactions are rare, and the state currently distributes naloxone largely using federal grant dollars. Staff from DHHS clarified the standing order language and said an amendment or coordination with the standing order could address whether over-the-counter products should be explicitly included.

Support letters were filed: the record noted seven letters in support for LB 5 and four proponents for LB 195. Both sponsors said they intend to advance LB 195 because it uses the broader language and asked that letters supporting LB 5 be considered.

With no opponents at the hearing, sponsors and witnesses asked the committee to move one of the bills to general file so Nebraska can expand access to reversal medications and ensure immunity protections apply to new, FDA-approved options.

The hearing record shows proponents from DHHS and public-health advocates presenting technical and policy reasons to broaden the statute; the committee did not take a vote during the hearing.","The Judiciary Committee heard a joint presentation on LB 5 and LB 195 to change Nebraska statute language from naming naloxone specifically to a broader term, \"opioid overdose reversal medication,\" to allow newer FDA-approved drugs and generics to fall under standing orders and immunity protections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears move to consolidate protection-order laws and allow longer initial protections

Defense access to seized phones and digital evidence debated in Judiciary Committee hearing on LB 93

Senate hearing seeks tougher penalties for motor-vehicle homicide that kills an unborn child

Committee considers banning nitrous oxide sales at some tobacco and vape retailers after rise in recreational use

Nebraska committee hears bipartisan bills to broaden statutory language for opioid reversal drugs