LB 307 Override Attempt Fails

The Nebraska Legislature failed to override a gubernatorial veto of LB307, brought forth by Megan Hunt.  LB 307 would have allowed local jurisdictions to authorize public or behavioral health programs to distribute hypodermic needles to reduce the spread of infectious diseases such as HIV. The motion needed 30 votes for an override and received 27. Locally, Steve Halloran and Ray Aguilar voted for the override. Senators Loren Lippencott, Mike Lowe, and Fred Meyer voted against. Hear the complete debate below. 

Governor Jim Pillen issued the following statement upon the Nebraska Legislature taking up a vote to override LB 307, introduced by Senator Megan Hunt. The body voted to sustain the Governor’s veto, 27-20. The 27 votes fell three votes short needed to override. 

“I appreciate that state senators took the time to evaluate LB 307 and took due notice of concerns that caused me to veto the bill. We need to invest in less harmful ways to combat drug usage and disease transmission that are in line with Nebraska values. I look forward to working with our state senators on those strategies in the next session.”