Bill > LR15CA

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to eliminate the death penalty in Nebraska, to be voted on by electors in the November 2026 general election. The amendment would modify Article I of the state constitution by adding a provision that explicitly prohibits imposing the death penalty for any offense and automatically commutes all existing death sentences to life imprisonment. The proposed ballot language will ask voters to choose "For" or "Against" the amendment, which seeks to fundamentally change how the state handles capital punishment. The resolution maintains existing provisions about bail and protections against excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishment, while removing the previous language about automatic appeals in capital cases. If approved by voters, this amendment would represent a significant shift in Nebraska's criminal justice approach, replacing capital punishment with life imprisonment as the maximum criminal penalty.

Justice

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59505