Bill advances to let candidates use campaign funds for security

By Fred Knapp , Senior Reporter/Producer Nebraska Public Media

March 23, 2026, 5 p.m. ·

Sen. Eliot Bostar in debate Monday (Fred Knapp/Nebraska Public Media News) — Sen. Eliot Bostar in debate Monday. (Fred Knapp/Nebraska Public Media News)

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Nebraska political candidates could use campaign contributions to pay for security, like bodyguards and home security systems, under a bill advancing in the Legislature. And people could lose unemployment benefits if they skip interviews for new jobs, according to another proposal.

Sen. Eliot Bostar is the lead introducer of legislation (LB986) to allow the use of campaign contributions for security purposes.

“LB986 responds to a well-documented and growing reality facing candidates and public officials at every level of government," he said. "Threats, harassment, violence and intimidation tied to public service are increasing. We've all seen and followed the news of recent attacks on Minnesota lawmakers, presidential candidates, as well as plots and attacks on governors and officials across the country."

The bill allows using campaign funds for security personnel as well as the installation, maintenance and monitoring of security services and systems, including hardware, software and electronic equipment. An amendment proposed by the Executive Board would specify that such expenses would have to be “reasonable.”

Board Chair Sen. Ben Hansen explained what that was intended to address.

“The use of campaign funds can't be used for unreasonable purposes, like ‘I'm concerned about the security of my house, therefore I want to build a new house with my campaign funds,’” Hansen said.

Hansen said it would be up the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission to judge what spending was reasonable. Senators voted 40-0 in favor of the amendment. But Sen. Glen Meyer said he didn’t like the way the bill was written.

“There's entirely too much ambiguity. Not a bad concept. In principle, I can support the concept. But I just don't think the bill is ready yet for prime time,” Meyer said.

Meyer distributed a handout including the argument that because the bill did not limit the type of security equipment that could be purchased, it could include Tommy guns, improvised explosive devices, grenades and grenade launchers.

Sen. Danielle Conrad also opposed the bill.

“I personally don't think this legislation is necessary," she said. "I have been in public life 12 years as a member of this Legislature; eight years plus in high-profile, controversial work on the state level. And I have had a few odd instances that perhaps might cause pause for concern, but overall, I feel safe."

Sen. Megan Hunt questioned whether the bill would be effective.

Hunt said she assumes if someone is out to do her harm, they will find a way to do that. But she said a more important change to campaign finance laws would be to allow the use of funds for child care, for example, if a single mother such as herself has to go to a conference out of state.

Hunt said she’s introduced numerous bills to allow that, and the latest version, LB74, is languishing in committee.

“When our campaign finance laws were written, it didn't contemplate that a single mother with a young child could be a lawmaker. And now that's the case. That's often the case, and it will continue to be the case in the future, and there's lots of scenarios like that. So LB74 is, I think, a bill that we should look at attaching to this bill. That would get my support for sure,” Hunt said.

Bostar said he’s willing to consider different suggestions between now and the next round of debate. Lawmakers then voted 37-3 for first-round approval of the bill.

Teresa Ibach is the state senator for Nebraska’s 44th District. (Courtesy of the Nebraska Legislature)

Also Monday, lawmakers considered a bill (LB921) containing various provisions affecting business and labor relations. Among them was a proposal by Sen. Teresa Ibach to require employers to give employees 90 days notice, instead of the federally required 60 days, in the event of a mass layoff. Ibach’s district includes Lexington, where the closing of a Tyson meatpacking plant in January cost thousands of workers their jobs.

There was little discussion of that part of the bill. What sparked more discussion was a proposal by Sen. Rob Dover that applies to laid-off workers who are collecting unemployment insurance benefits.

Dover’s proposal would deny those benefits during any week when the unemployed person failed to respond to suitable job offers within one week, or failed to appear for a scheduled job interview without notifying the prospective employer of the need to cancel or reschedule.

Sen. Dunixi Guereca was among those objecting to curtailing the benefits, which replace part of the pay for laid-off workers. Guereca cited skyrocketing energy costs due to the war with Iran, as well as uncertainty and likely rising food prices due to wildfires on rangeland in western Nebraska.

“I do not think now, of all times when we have a crippling affordability crisis, is the right time to throw in something another obstacle at a time when folks really could use that 50% of their salary to get through and find gainful employment,” Guereca said.

Dover pointed to language that allows the commissioner of labor to decide whether the benefits should be withheld.

“There is a lot of grace extended here -- a lot of grace. We are not telling the commissioner ‘You must take benefits away no matter what.’ We are letting them use their professional judgment of the individual and the situation before disqualifying benefits. Again, I believe the bill is about accountability and ensuring these benefits are a temporary assistance to help individuals get back on their feet,” Dover said.

Senators voted 34-6 in favor of an amendment containing Dover’s proposal, then advanced the overall bill on a vote of 33-3.