[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6358521,"mediaKeyId","2212381-691049045c2194596d3ac55727b1fdcc","parentId",2212381,"title","Debate over nitrogen hypoxia in LB432: introducer says method is painless; opponents cite Alabama execution","audioSeconds",1985,"startMs",2661000,"endMs",4646000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212381-691049045c2194596d3ac55727b1fdcc&start=2661&end=4646","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212381-691049045c2194596d3ac55727b1fdcc/thumbnail_2661000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6358521/Nebraska/Debate-over-nitrogen-hypoxia-in-LB432-introducer-says-method-is-painless-opponents-cite-Alabama-execution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358521-78971594702bc10a37a4cf46c648955f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155771&Signature=ZK9ap~Hs5fX7AtuidElg~okBWqcdndYU5C-ILVudftTo9OWufe1xc6piJipDnMr1ZVPZ~vOasNhf4OUKVjcGF2DhowurLcU23GhNfCUWWL8wUGS8zbn0jRn3gv-oqInBedXlzd~c6jNfNCVXxq5UeaPPfBEZFWHqENUNMCZrVTIbOC0RHDdfn~YbtMyOcwv6d1NENdldmDLgAomLOSWxaYW26LFVXT33GiYAx6N8WI9CVtJZA4nxEDVR-t~kd6BONESbJUHhdTpJHCthd0plnTkw6jm~KyQ2wqKJ-h4QRaPzSJvyUFv~1yWodUuhn5hwlB--H7WTDr2agkHQIGelcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Legislature","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Loren Lippincott, sponsor of Legislative Bill 432, told the Judiciary Committee the bill would add nitrogen hypoxia to the list of allowable methods of execution in Nebraska, describing the technique as “painless” and “peaceful.”

Nut graf: Supporters framed LB432 as a humane, practical alternative to lethal injection when drug shortages arise; opponents responded with eyewitness accounts and institutional objections and urged the committee not to authorize an untested or ethically fraught method.

What the sponsor said: Lippincott, who described his experience as an Air Force pilot during testimony, said hypoxia causes loss of consciousness quickly and observed that nitrogen is abundant. “Nitrogen is painless. It is peaceful, and it's plentiful,” he told the committee, and he cited the Alabama attorney general's letter regarding a January 2024 execution that used nitrogen.

Opponents’ central points: Jason Whitmer of ACLU Nebraska recounted witness descriptions from Alabama’s 2024 execution of Kenneth Smith and said the episode was “anything but peaceful,” quoting a spiritual adviser who described minutes of struggle and visible distress. Other opponents — correctional practitioners, veterans’ groups, clergy and the Nebraska Nurses Association — warned of ethical and professional prohibitions, noted the death penalty’s broader injustices, and raised legal risks under recent US Supreme Court rulings (testimony referenced Ramirez v. Collier, 2022, in the context of chaplain access at executions).

Technical and procedural concerns: Critics said the Alabama execution lasted substantially longer than proponents described and produced movements and evidence witnesses characterized as distressing; some correctional groups noted a 22‑minute window reported in news accounts and described staff surprise at the outcome. The Nebraska Department of Corrections and nursing organizations warned the bill could require medical and corrections personnel to participate in procedures that violate professional ethics.

Committee questions and follow‑up: Senators asked about the medical evidence for painlessness and cited published accounts and the Alabama attorney general's report; Lippincott referred the committee to that attorney‑general letter and to pilot training experience on hypoxia. Opponents urged the committee to review the Alabama record and professional‑association guidance before advancing the bill.

Next steps: The bill remains under committee consideration; the hearing closed with committee members noting written comments and witness statements on both sides.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Judiciary Committee January 31, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senator Loren Lippincott introduced LB432 to the Judiciary Committee, proposing nitrogen hypoxia as an authorized method of execution and calling it “painless, peaceful and plentiful.”","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},6358526,"Sen. McKinney, supporters ask Nebraska voters to abolish death penalty",2150,271000,2421000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212381-691049045c2194596d3ac55727b1fdcc&start=271&end=2421","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212381-691049045c2194596d3ac55727b1fdcc/thumbnail_271000.jpg","/articles/6358526/Nebraska/Sen-McKinney-supporters-ask-Nebraska-voters-to-abolish-death-penalty","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358526-962f0a0d053046c3f853730310edca6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155771&Signature=bdziLOBzeh3GyEBtE~1zY3ZLbPzBSw3~lYQrZ1iEaXyL5hd31GMn1U21TxqemTMkqu8onOsMOHozLE92VLMeCjffAhdV7uYSIjDhUaeOK60EV6gO-Ulhm3wRdeyzif94YpQYxnMaMDJuhLVhXD8d6f5fLjYVtToEG3-pmxzQHHk-8d1tOpseUjjVIZFcrqqlrOvyrmOsIuEyzMl~G6SQD~NR9D5S-frRYpW0vGnlgZ1gfxdP0AJJ7qKjt3Wo9nAdfYJaIyKm76UBIhQtdvit8mSiMVjEtycYDA1xKlppPUFdiaCbxaJTH-8Qhpq6u7jkMh-Xkl251SeMYt1gf0M7iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Terrell McKinney, who represents District 11 in North Omaha, opened a Judiciary Committee hearing on LR15CA, a proposed constitutional amendment that would abolish the death penalty in Nebraska.

McKinney said the state’s existing punishment amounts to “what amounts to a mental torture penalty” and called the death penalty “fundamentally inhumane.”

Why it matters: The amendment would put abolition before voters, enshrining the change in the state constitution rather than leaving it to court rulings or legislative action. Supporters told the committee abolition would reduce unnecessary government spending, reduce the risk of irreversible error, and address racial and economic disparities in who receives capital sentences.

Supporters' arguments: Dozens of testifiers described the moral and fiscal case for repeal. Alex M. Houchin of Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty told the committee the presence of capital punishment on the books costs taxpayers even when no executions occur, citing a Creighton University estimate adjusted for inflation that the death penalty cost Nebraska roughly $19,000,000 per year beyond the cost of life imprisonment. Jason Whitmer of the ACLU of Nebraska said capital punishment “inherently violates the constitutional ban against cruel and unusual punishment” and highlighted statistical disparities in who receives death sentences.

Faith groups and victims’ family members also testified. Tom Bensor, executive director of the Nebraska Catholic Conference, read updated church teaching and said modern detention systems can protect public safety without imposing death. Several people who had witnessed or accompanied executions described lasting trauma to witnesses and corrections staff.

Opponents and cautions: A small number of speakers raised concerns about whether abolition serves victims or whether politics, rather than careful policy review, shapes the debate; others asked for more investment in crime prevention and victim services. No formal vote occurred during the hearing; the measure remains under committee consideration.

Details and figures discussed: Testifiers pointed to national and state-level research and historical numbers: at least about 190 people nationwide had been exonerated from death sentences since 1973 (testimony cited national exoneration counts); Creighton University estimates of state costs were discussed ($14.6 million per year in earlier reporting; supporters cited higher adjusted estimates for recent years). Testifiers also noted that Nebraska had carried out four executions since 1977 and that the death penalty statute remains on the books despite years with no executions.

What’s next: The Judiciary Committee will decide whether to advance LR15CA to a committee vote or to place it on the ballot for voters. McKinney closed by urging the committee to give voters the choice.

","Senator Terrell McKinney, who represents District 11 in North Omaha, opened a Judiciary Committee hearing on LR15CA, a proposed constitutional amendment that would abolish the death penalty in Nebraska.",{"_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},6358516,"Bill to clarify inmate access to their records draws department concerns about safety and staff burden",2215,4776000,6991000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212381-691049045c2194596d3ac55727b1fdcc&start=4776&end=6991","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212381-691049045c2194596d3ac55727b1fdcc/thumbnail_4776000.jpg","/articles/6358516/Nebraska/Bill-to-clarify-inmate-access-to-their-records-draws-department-concerns-about-safety-and-staff-burden","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358516-0440a9e77c97669bc4dfcbd9924b60e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155771&Signature=Jtc~MP0FdXrSbd76egAH-VtLF08jkLuo0BvQPyN6pOgg~tg7iRhkNKEc75CYA~W1cQa2adGPHtggLvoEXi5uyGkF30LZGjBRcWzZFmrNV6ynGoQt~Xe4VdmGMF0IS~cskcu-OzmrcvStBXIBjXm1LYGhnm1YR7ZvoOP-mhK2yWb-IGhlIuFYz5fO9GhIGnsAkX~jc3uP0v7SzSLaEm10p4AxCcPFr4Jiyp00txmZEgG1XqKxqzhTTgOQca3QB4J9opmSUxXmKNsD9B8KNSCVJRLyvELy55JWOopNmWbznbOtrozXBnBuCAbzAAyk-bALIOLgjuBFcKxzooCji34N9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator (introducer) introduced LB358, a bill to clarify that people incarcerated in Nebraska's correctional facilities may obtain their individual institutional file through a written request to the chief executive of the facility rather than requiring a court order.

Why it matters: Supporters say the bill removes a procedural roadblock that prevents incarcerated people from obtaining grievance records and other documents they need to pursue legal claims or reentry planning. Opponents, chiefly Department of Correctional Services director Rob Jeffreys, warned that unrestricted access to full institutional files could endanger inmates and staff by exposing security‑sensitive material.

Supporters’ case: Grant Friedman, staff attorney for the ACLU of Nebraska, told the committee the change fixes a “circular logic” problem: attorneys will not accept a prison‑conditions case unless they can see a detained person’s grievances; the detained person cannot access those grievances without a court order. He described problems with carbon copies of grievances that are illegible or retained by private attorneys, and noted some facilities are moving to digital grievance systems that sometimes do not provide inmates with paper copies.

Department and safety concerns: Rob Jeffreys, director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, said individual files can contain sensitive material — investigative reports, security‑threat designations and witness statements — and making those files available on demand could create targets inside facilities and invite retaliation against staff or other inmates. He also said implementation could strain staffing and resources.

Committee discussion and possible refinement: Senators and testifiers discussed whether the bill should be narrowed to require access only to grievances and grievance responses rather than the entire institutional file. The department described a recent rollout of electronic grievance tablets and said the system produces timestamps and digital copies, but questions remained about whether the tablets provide consolidated access to an inmate’s full grievance history prior to release.

Next steps: Committee members suggested working with the department on targeted amendments — for example, clarifying which documents are available and whether redactions are allowed — and indicated willingness to consider a narrower approach to address the circular‑access problem without creating security risks.

","Lawmakers considered LB358, a bill to clarify that people incarcerated in Nebraska facilities can request access to their institutional file without a court order by submitting a written request to the facility chief executive.",{"_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},6358511,"Committee hears lengthy testimony for constitutional amendments to enshrine marriage equality",706,10775000,11481000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212381-691049045c2194596d3ac55727b1fdcc&start=10775&end=11481","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212381-691049045c2194596d3ac55727b1fdcc/thumbnail_10775000.jpg","/articles/6358511/Nebraska/Committee-hears-lengthy-testimony-for-constitutional-amendments-to-enshrine-marriage-equality","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358511-617d4058ae223a27741061c38604928a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155771&Signature=OS50CzzDcvBwUJBWB81QeDRqXO8XbRRJHOWiltb2viGr-xI2-abK2-w7yup73eogKywfIwWZxZb~anOw8hTajW2sdqpsRK7GUZUhx8D~y719aXvUTh7gcd1kBSHXXoyTOtZ1pC~78--zK87FPYBPosJzXGNPVVUMDuMJgcMV~nVM9-N88mK9CNQY3z53tPubCp4AnIMc8Ag9yZ6ko1OBThJUJZqm1HwaNqRrktkveyrcFm~Dhc9vHrQ3-6tbF5Ez2MAT8nPfczZpi3kgfaJ4vsJh3LN58dR9wXOIN~zLrGm84EKf8nQ-NCjO75p6JxIcMo9FShAJKoLN6HX2s8k8ZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Michaela Cavanagh introduced two companion constitutional resolutions — LR5CA to repeal Nebraska’s existing constitutional language that bars same‑sex marriage and LR6CA to add language recognizing marriage regardless of race and gender — and asked the Judiciary Committee to advance both to the ballot for voter consideration.

Why it matters: Witnesses said the measures are a preventive safeguard should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn federal marriage precedents. Supporters argued that voters should be allowed to remove discriminatory language and that codifying protections would help retain young talent, protect families and align state law with the state motto, “Equality before the law.” Opponents urged respect for traditional marriage definitions and raised religious and civic concerns.

Range of testimony: Over a hundred people provided in‑person testimony and written comments. Students and university groups stressed economic and talent retention implications; veterans and faith leaders gave personal statements about family and conscience; health‑care and civil‑liberties organizations supported the measures. Planned Parenthood and the ACLU urged the committee to advance the amendments; some faith and conservative groups opposed them and urged voters to reject constitutionally enshrining the proposed language.

Legal context: Witnesses cited two key U.S. Supreme Court precedents, Loving v. Virginia (1967) and Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), and noted federal activity — including the 2022 Respect for Marriage Act — that shapes the legal background. Supporters said federal protections may not be permanent and argued state constitutional language should reflect equal‑protection principles.

Committee questions and practical notes: Senators asked about single‑subject drafting and why two resolutions were introduced; the sponsor said the separate drafts addressed drafting and single‑subject concerns. Committee staff and the sponsor noted the high volume of written comments submitted online and indicated the committee would consider the companion resolutions together.

Where things stand: The committee heard dozens of speakers and noted large numbers of written submissions in favor; no committee vote was taken at the hearing. The sponsor urged the committee to advance both resolutions so Nebraskans can vote on constitutional protections for marriage equality and interracial marriage.","Sen. Michaela Cavanagh introduced two resolutions — LR5CA to remove Nebraska's same‑sex marriage ban and LR6CA to add explicit language protecting marriages regardless of race and gender. Supporters — students, veterans, faith leaders, businesses and LGBTQ organizations — urged the committee to let voters decide; opposition came from conservative","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Debate over nitrogen hypoxia in LB432: introducer says method is painless; opponents cite Alabama execution

Sen. McKinney, supporters ask Nebraska voters to abolish death penalty

Bill to clarify inmate access to their records draws department concerns about safety and staff burden

Committee hears lengthy testimony for constitutional amendments to enshrine marriage equality