Nebraska State Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner has introduced Legislative Bill 301, which would allow noncitizens lawfully present in the U.S. and authorized to work to serve as police officers or county sheriff’s deputies. The bill aims to address law enforcement recruitment challenges, particularly in rural areas and communities with language barriers.
Under LB 301, “eligible aliens” could apply to become certified law enforcement officers after completing Nebraska’s training programs and meeting physical fitness standards. These individuals would also qualify for retirement contributions, scholarships, and other public benefits once hired.
Ibach said the proposal is a practical approach to fill vacancies with individuals who are legally in the country and eager to work. The bill revisits a similar measure from 2024 that briefly gained traction but was ultimately withdrawn following concerns about its focus on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.
The 2024 bill, introduced by then-Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne, proposed allowing DACA recipients to serve in law enforcement. While it garnered support from organizations like the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Nebraska Appleseed, Ibach opposed the amendment, arguing it prioritized DACA recipients over immigrants with green cards or work permits. Concerns about DACA recipients’ ability to carry firearms and their credibility in court also contributed to its rejection.
Ibach emphasized that law enforcement leaders in her district have expressed support for LB 301, which she believes could significantly bolster recruitment efforts.
In addition to LB 301, several other bills were introduced in the Legislature:
Rent Control (LB266): Proposed by Sen. Rob Dover of Norfolk, this bill would prohibit local governments from imposing rent control ordinances on private property.
Police Oversight (LB276): Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha introduced a bill requiring Lincoln and Omaha to establish citizen police oversight boards and maintain a list of officers with credibility issues. It also bans “no-knock” warrants.
Single License Plates (LB279): Sen. Brad von Gillern of Elkhorn proposed requiring Nebraska drivers to display only one license plate.
Teacher Reimbursement (LB282): Lincoln Sen. Jason Prokop’s bill would provide $300 reimbursements for K-12 teachers purchasing school supplies.
Flavored Vapes (LB285): Sen. Dan Lonowski of Hastings seeks to ban the marketing and sale of flavored vaping products.
Daylight Saving Time (LB302): Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil reintroduced a bill to move Nebraska to year-round standard time.
Death Penalty (LR16CA): McKinney also introduced a constitutional amendment to abolish the death penalty, replacing it with life imprisonment.
These proposals highlight a range of legislative priorities as Nebraska lawmakers continue their 90-day session.
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