But a senator, a group of senators or a legislative committee must introduce the idea before the Legislature can formally consider it. Legislative committees then consider each bill and may propose amendments to them before advancing them to the full Legislature. The legislative body then has an opportunity to debate a bill at least twice before voting on its final passage. First, a senator and his or her staff research a problem and study possible legislative remedies. Senators may introduce bills to create new laws or to repeal or change existing laws.
Much research is done during the period between sessions called the interim.
During this time, committees study a variety of issues that have been outlined in interim study resolutions passed by the Legislature. A senator brings his or her idea for a new law to a bill drafter, who works with the senator to transform the idea into the proper legal form for a bill. Unlike some states, bills introduced in Nebraska may contain only one subject. Most bills are introduced during the first ten days of a regular legislative session, which begins each January. To introduce a bill, a senator files it with the clerk of the Legislature.