LINCOLN- State lawmakers advanced a proposal Tuesday seeking to define “male” and “female” in state law targeted for K-12 or collegiate bathrooms, sports teams, and locker rooms. Legislative Bill 89, the “Stand With Women Act” from State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, advanced 33-16, with all 33 Republicans in the officially nonpartisan Legislature uniting around the measure. LB 89 was introduced on behalf of Gov. Jim Pillen as one of his 2025 priorities.

State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, a nonpartisan progressive, led the opposition to LB 89. She said supporters had a “whole crayon box of life” yet were choosing to use only “two colors” and were acting like “gender cops.” State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston filed an amendment seeking to only focus on sports. Riepe has repeatedly said that if the bill were limited to sports, it would have his support. Thirty-three votes are needed to shut off debate and invoke “cloture” after a set amount of time.

For the full article click HERE