Unlike Salem, no one is worried about which party will win the next election and thus rule the next Legislature. This year, eight of the 49 were newcomers. Without term limits, the median length of service is six years. The election itself is nonpartisan, though candidates' registration is public record. Legislators unanimously elected a Republican to a second term as speaker, then chose Democrats to lead several key committees, including revenue and education.
Power is diffuse.
A committee chosen by the entire Legislature assigns bills to committees. Under this system, legislative leaders are responsible to the entire legislative body, not to a majority party caucus that meets behind closed doors and makes key policy decisions in secret. A unique feature of the Nebraska Legislature is the designation of priority bills midway through a session. Each legislator picks one bill. Each committee chooses two.