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LR 19CA

Constitutional amendment to change legislative term limits to three consecutive terms

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Robert Dover

Nebraska would amend its constitution to let lawmakers serve three consecutive terms, instead of two, with a four-year waiting period after term limits if approved in 2026.

Passed on Final Reading for General Election 39-10*-0
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Bill Summary · LR 19CA

Summary — LR19CA (2025)

Constitutional amendment to change legislative term limits to three consecutive terms

Main purpose

LR19CA proposes amending Article III, Section 12 of the Nebraska Constitution to change the limit on service in the Nebraska Legislature from two consecutive terms to three consecutive terms. The resolution places the proposed amendment before Nebraska voters.

Key provisions

  • Amends Article III, §12 to permit a member of the Legislature to serve three consecutive terms (current law: two consecutive terms).
  • Retains the existing four‑year period of ineligibility after the expiration of the applicable consecutive terms (i.e., after serving the maximum consecutive terms a person must wait four years before becoming eligible again).
  • Preserves these ancillary rules already in the constitution:
    • Service prior to January 1, 2001 is not counted for the purpose of calculating consecutive terms.
    • Service of more than one‑half of a term counts as a full term for purposes of the limit.
  • Ballot language: “A constitutional amendment to change the limit on legislative terms from two consecutive terms to three consecutive terms.”

Who would be affected

  • Current and future members of the Nebraska Legislature (unicameral body): incumbents would be able to seek one additional consecutive term beyond the current two‑term limit.
  • Potential impacts include longer continuous service for individual senators, altered turnover dynamics in the Legislature, and possible effects on legislative institutional knowledge and incumbency advantages.
  • Stakeholders that testified in support during the committee hearing included business and agricultural organizations, municipal groups, and civic engagement organizations. No recorded opponents were listed at the committee hearing.

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced: January 16, 2025 (Sen. Robert Dover, primary sponsor).
  • Executive Board committee hearing: February 27, 2025.
  • Advanced out of committee (with amendments).
  • Placed on Final Reading: May 14, 2025.
  • Passed by the Legislature (Final Reading): May 28, 2025 — vote: 39–10–0. President/Speaker signed May 28, 2025. Presented to Secretary of State: May 28, 2025.
  • Voter consideration: the resolution directs submission of the amendment to electors at the November 2026 general election (per the final enrolled resolution and ballot language).

Amendment history (summary)

Multiple amendments were filed during floor and committee consideration. A standing committee amendment (AM884) at one point proposed placing the question on a May 12, 2026 special primary ballot, but later floor amendments (including Dover AM1353) replaced prior language and returned the question to the November 2026 general election ballot. Several other amendments (AM1175, AM1233, etc.) were filed but not adopted.

Effect if approved by voters

If approved by a majority of Nebraska voters in November 2026, the Nebraska Constitution would be changed to allow senators to serve three consecutive terms (subject to the preserved four‑year waiting period after reaching the limit).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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