Bill > LB268

This bill eliminates the death penalty in Nebraska by removing references to capital punishment and changing the classification of first-degree murder from a Class I felony (which carried the death penalty) to a Class IA felony. It also makes several other changes to sentencing provisions, including reclassifying felonies into eight classes instead of nine, and adjusts rules related to legal representation, appeals, jury selection, and the powers of the Commission on Public Advocacy to reflect these changes. The bill also clarifies that any death penalty imposed before its effective date will be converted to life imprisonment.