Legislative Timeline

1866
The Nebraska Legislature started its first bicameral--or two-house--session on July 4, 1866.
1867
Nebraska became the 37th state on March 1, 1867.
1892
The first Black person was elected to serve in the Nebraska Legislature.
1932
The current State Capitol was completed after 10 years of construction.
1934
Nebraska voters adopted a constitutional amendment to change to a unicameral--or one house--legislature.
1937
The first unicameral session convened on Jan. 5, 1937.
1954
The first woman was elected to serve in the Nebraska Legislature.
1970
Voters adopted a constitutional amendment to have the Legislature meet annually rather than every other year.
1986
Voters elected Nebraska's first female governor.
1998
The first Latino was elected to serve in the Nebraska Legislature
2000
Voters enacted a limit of two consecutive four-year terms on the service of state legislators. Term limits took effect in 2006.
2006
Term limits took effect.
2006
The first person of Asian descent was elected to serve in the Nebraska Legislature.
2008
Two Black women were the first elected to serve in the Nebraska Legislature.
2016
The first Native American member was elected to serve in the Nebraska Legislature.
2018
The first openly LGBTQ person was elected to serve in the Nebraska Legislature.
2020
The first woman of Asian descent was elected to serve in the Nebraska Legislature.
2022
The first openly LGBTQ man was elected to serve in the Nebraska Legislature.