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LINCOLN — The Nebraska Legislature adjourned for 2026 Friday, deciding on the final day to sustain five gubernatorial vetoes after 30 lawmakers flipped from support to backing objections across four different bills.
Gov. Jim Pillen, in the lead-up to Friday’s last day of session, vetoed five legislative bills, all from progressive lawmakers in the officially nonpartisan body. Four of the five bills had passed with 31 or more votes, more than the 30 needed to override a veto, and bill sponsors sought to overcome Pillen’s objections. One bill he vetoed had passed unanimously, 49-0.
But the four veto override attempts Friday fell well short of 30 votes. The sponsor of the fifth bill, who had 29 supporters on passage, accepted the fate of her bill.
“I’m grateful to those in the Legislature who sustained my commonsense bill vetoes today,” Pillen said on social media shortly after the votes. “With these carefully selected vetoes, we protected Nebraska taxpayers and prevented new and onerous regulations.”
Five bills vetoed in 2026
In total, Pillen vetoed five bills in 2026, all this week: Legislative Bill 839, from State Sen. Victor Rountree of Bellevue, related to multifamily housing projects and accessible housing for people with mobility impairments and hearing or vision impairments. The bill had passed 34-15. The override failed 19-28.
LB 878, from State Sen. Dunixi Guereca of Omaha, to offer six weeks of paid parental leave for any permanent state employee after the birth of a child or the adoption of an infant up to 1 year old. The bill had passed 417. The override failed 21-27.
LB 929, from State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha, to explicitly let managed care organizations cover the cost of co-pays, deductibles and other Medicaid charges. The bill had passed 31-18. The override failed
