Nebraska lawmakers approved legislation Wednesday night to bar biological men from playing in women’s sports, making the state one of the last under full Republican control to do so.
Nebraska’s unicameral state legislature voted 33-16 along party lines to pass the “Stand With Women Act,” and the state’s Republican Gov. Jim Pillen wrote on social media that he looks forward to signing it. Nebraska now joins the majority of states — now 27 in total — which already have laws protecting women’s sports in place. (RELATED: Court Blocks Law Banning Biological Men From Competing In Women’s Sports)
Republican Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen in a gubernatorial campaign video on Feb 7, 2022. (YouTube / Screenshot / Public — User: Jim Pillen)
“The Stand With Women Act, LB89, just advanced to my desk. It achieves a key goal: protecting girls and women’s sports. It’s just common sense that girls shouldn’t have to compete against biological boys,” Pillen wrote on X. “This legislative win will lead to many more victories for Nebraska’s female athletes, as we ensure a level and fair playing field for all girls who compete. I look forward to signing it into law.”
A similar bill, “The Sports and Spaces Act,” was introduced in Nebraska’s Senate last year, but it failed to pass in the single house legislature before the end of the session. Republican Nebraska state Sen. Kathleen Kauth, who sponsored the failed measure, introduced the Stand With Women Act in January at Pillen’s request.
Today, Sen. Kauth introduced legislation on my behalf that provides protections to girls and women in areas that should be theirs alone. In addition to Sen. Kauth, NU softball player Jordy Bahl, NU volleyball player Rebekah Allick, U.S. gymnast Jennifer Sey and UNL student Hannah… pic.twitter.com/dp8s07mAFC
— Governor Jim Pillen (@TeamPillen) January 10, 2025
The bill was altered in early May to remove language that would have enforced that people use the restrooms corresponding to their biological sex in schools and state buildings.
Democratic Nebraska state Sen. John Fredrickson, who opposed the bill, said, “I believe we want to protect women. I think we also know this is not the way to do it.”
However, Republican Nebraska State Sen. Loren Lippincott, one of the bill’s cosponsors said the bill is “not about shutting doors” but “opening the right ones.”
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