Nebraska Lawmakers Race to Pass Domestic Violence Bills Before Session Ends

As the legislative session nears its close, senators are working to get domestic violence-related bills across the finish line.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:28pm

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With the Nebraska legislative session set to end next Friday, state senators are rushing to pass a number of domestic violence-related bills before the deadline. This includes measures to provide additional training for therapists serving victims, change taxation on data centers to fund domestic violence services, make it easier for outside law enforcement to see active military protection orders, and increase penalties for violating domestic violence protection orders.

Why it matters

Domestic violence has been a growing issue in Nebraska, with a nearly 8% increase in reported assaults in Lincoln last year. These bills aim to address the need for more mental health support, sustainable funding for services, and stronger enforcement of protection orders to protect victims.

The details

One bill, LB 825 from Lincoln Sen. Beau Ballard, would provide additional training for therapists on identifying and addressing domestic violence. Another, LB 1131 from Lincoln Sen. Eliot Bostar, would change taxation on data centers to raise money for domestic violence services. Sen. Victor Rountree of Bellevue has LB 753, which would make it easier for outside law enforcement to see active military protection orders. And Lincoln Sen. Jason Prokop's LB 1000 would increase penalties for violating domestic violence protection orders, though some senators believe increased punishment is not an effective deterrent.

  • The Nebraska legislative session is set to end on Friday, April 4, 2026.
  • Lawmakers will attempt to pass the final reading of budget bills on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

The players

Beau Ballard

A state senator from Lincoln who introduced LB 825 to provide additional training for therapists serving domestic violence victims.

Eliot Bostar

A state senator from Lincoln who introduced LB 1131 to change taxation on data centers to fund domestic violence services.

Victor Rountree

A state senator from Bellevue who introduced LB 753 to make it easier for outside law enforcement to see active military protection orders.

Jason Prokop

A state senator from Lincoln who introduced LB 1000 to increase penalties for violating domestic violence protection orders.

Danielle Conrad

A state senator from Lincoln who expressed concerns that Prokop's LB 1000 bill contributes to the 'felony factory'.

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What they’re saying

“We worked over the interim on how to address the growing need for mental health providers to spot possible domestic violence and how to address those issues.”

— Beau Ballard, State Senator

“We've tried to appropriate funds a number of ways, and each time we've run into real complications. So the reason I brought the bill was to solve that problem and provide durable, sustaining funding for these services for victims of trafficking and domestic violence.”

— Eliot Bostar, State Senator

“A lot of times when a commander issues a military protective order, his jurisdiction is for within the confines of the military installation. Maybe not effective on the outside.”

— Victor Rountree, State Senator

“I like prevention more so than I do reaction.”

— Victor Rountree, State Senator

“Prokop's bill contributes to the so-called 'felony factory'.”

— Danielle Conrad, State Senator

What’s next

Before the legislative session ends, Nebraska lawmakers will also attempt to pass the final reading of budget bills on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

The takeaway

These domestic violence-related bills aim to address the growing need for mental health support, sustainable funding for services, and stronger enforcement of protection orders to protect victims in Nebraska. However, there is debate around whether increased penalties are an effective deterrent, highlighting the ongoing dialogue needed around legislation and funding to address this critical issue.