Unicameral 101
KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDing THE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR & PROCESS
- Each biennium consists of two calendar years. First with a 90-Day Long Session (odd years): January to early June, followed by a 60-Day Short Session (even years): January to mid April
- Bills are introduced the first 10 days of each Session
- Committee Hearings take place the first 30 days … this is your opportunity to be heard!
- Summer/Fall Lead-Up: NASB is working with Senators and organizations on potential bills, and following interim hearings
As it relates to NASB, the NASB Legislation Committee, and YOU:
- NASB Legislation Committee Meeting /Legislative Issues Conference: late January
- Call for Legislative Positions from YOU: Due July 1 for the following year
- NASB Legislation Committee Meeting: July/August
- NASB Legislation Committee Meeting/Delegate Assembly: November
The Nebraska Legislature is unique in that all of the business is conducted in one body.
The Unicameral provides a system where a bill needs to only receive support of the 49-member body to advance for the Governor’s desk for signature. This makes the Committee Hearings that much more important to the future of a bill.
At the beginning of each biennium (odd years), the Speaker and Committee Chairs are selected by secret ballot for two-year appointments. The Speaker controls the overall agenda of the Unicameral while the Committee Chairs control the activity within their appointed committees (see below).
Bills are introduced during the first 10 working days of each Session. It is here the NASB staff, and NASB Legislation Committee are busy making sure we flag any and all bills which might impact the classroom, the board room, or education policy. On average, NASB flags around 100 bills each year that it will Support, Oppose, or needs to follow, and testifies accordingly in Committee Hearings.
- I'M JUST A BILL ... from an idea, to being signed into law, here is the path a bill must take. Introduction, Committee Hearing, General File, Select File, Final Reading, Signed by the Governor.
A bill from the first year, 90-Day Session, may carry over into the following year’s 60-day session.