Nebraska Legislative Bill 89

Nebraska Legislative Bill 89
Nebraska Legislature
Long title A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to public health and welfare; to adopt the Stand With Women Act; and to provide for severability.
Citation
Territorial extent	Nebraska
Enacted by	Nebraska Legislature
Enacted	May 28, 2025 [1]
Signed by	Jim Pillen
Signed	June 4, 2025
Effective	September 3, 2025
Introduced by	Kathleen Kauth (R-31) [2]
Introduced	January 10, 2025
Voting summary	33 voted for 16 voted against
Summary
Modifies the definitions of male, female, and related terms in state law so as to connect them to biological sex and restricts school sports to biological sex in most circumstances.
Keywords
female, male, sex, student athlete, transgender
Status: Not yet in force

Nebraska Legislative Bill 89 (LB 89), also known as the Stand With Women Act, is a 2025 law in the state of Nebraska that modifies the definitions of male, female, sex, and related terms in state law and restricts school sports to specific sexes under most circumstances. ^{[3] [4]} It was signed into law by Governor Jim Pillen on June 4, 2025. ^[5] It will take effect on September 3, 2025. ^[6]

The bill primarily targets transgender Nebraskans, especially trans women. ^{[7] [8] [9]}

Provisions

LB 89 requires any school in the state of Nebraska, including colleges and universities, to mandate students only compete in sports that align with their biological sex, and not their gender identity. ^[10] Exceptions are included for coed sports and sports without a female equivalent league. ^[11]

LB 89 also modifies the definitions of male, female, and other similar terms in state law. It defines female as somebody who produces ova and male as somebody who produces sperm. ^[12]

The bill was originally intended to also include a bathroom bill and restrict locker rooms to biological sex as well, but were not included in the final bill. ^[13]

Reactions

Support

LB 89 was supported by Governor Jim Pillen and the Alliance Defending Freedom. ^{[14] [15]}

Opposition

LB 89 was opposed by the ACLU of Nebraska and faith leaders in a statement released in April 2025. ^{[16] [17]}

See also

• LGBTQ rights in Nebraska

References

1. "Nebraska Legislature". Nebraska Legislature. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
2. Strimple, Laura (2025-01-10). "Gov. Pillen, Sen. Kauth and Athletes Introduce Stand With Women Act". Office of the Governor of Nebraska. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
3. Wendling, Zach (2025-04-22). "Bill to define male, female in state law advances in Nebraska Legislature". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
4. Cobb, Sam; Shenk, Danielle (2025-05-28). "Nebraska Legislature passes 'Stand With Women Act' after heated debate". 1011 Now. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
5. Norwood, Emma (2025-06-04). "Nebraska Gov. Pillen signs transgender sports bill, says it creates 'fair playing ground'". klkntv.com. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
6. Wendling, Zach (2025-06-04). "Pillen signs law defining male, female for Nebraska K-12 and college sports". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
7. Caracta, Bella (2025-05-14). "Nebraska Legislature advances bill on transgender athletes, restrooms". wowt.com. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
8. McCarty, Joseph; Homan, Jake (2025-05-28). "Nebraska Legislature passes transgender sports bill". klkntv.com. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
9. "Nebraska Passes Stand With Women Act Barring Transgender Athletes". NBC Palm Springs. 2025-06-01. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
10. Allison, Craig (2025-06-04). "Governor Pillen signs the Stand With Women Act". 1011 Now. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
11. Wendling, Zach (2025-05-28). "Lawmakers define male, female in Nebraska law for school sports". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
12. Mason, Ian (2025-04-22). "Deep Dive: Stand With Women Act passes legislature". KSNB Hastings 4. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
13. Ozaki, Andrew (2025-06-04). "Nebraska Governor signs 'Stand with Women' Act into law". ABC7 Omaha. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
14. Kennedy, Doug (2025-01-10). "Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen backs Stand With Women Act". News Channel Nebraska Southeast. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
15. O'Connell, Erica (2025-06-04). "Nebraska governor signs bill protecting women's sports". Alliance Defending Freedom. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
16. Petto, Sam (2025-04-21). "Faith Leaders Sign Letter Urging Senators to Support Transgender Nebraskans". ACLU of Nebraska. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
17. Ahlstrom, Morgan (2025-04-21). "Debate looms over Nebraska's 'Stand with Women Act'". Nebraska TV. Retrieved 2025-06-27.