In the United States, Nebraska is the only state with a unicameral legislature, meaning it has a single legislative chamber. Every other state follows the bicameral model, consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate, similar to the structure of the U.S. Congress.
Nebraska’s unicameral system has been in place since 1937, following a major reform movement led by Senator George W. Norris. Advocates argued that a one-house legislature would be more efficient, cost-effective, and accountable to the public.
This topic explores the history, benefits, challenges, and impact of Nebraska’s unicameral legislature, along with why no other state has adopted this system.
The History of Nebraska’s Unicameral Legislature
Nebraska’s Original Bicameral System
Before 1937, Nebraska had a traditional bicameral legislature like every other state. However, many lawmakers and citizens grew frustrated with inefficiencies, excessive costs, and legislative deadlock.
The Role of George W. Norris
One of the strongest voices for change was Senator George W. Norris, a long-serving U.S. senator from Nebraska. He believed that a bicameral system created unnecessary complexity and that many state legislatures merely duplicated the work of their two chambers.
The 1934 Public Vote
In 1934, Nebraska voters approved a constitutional amendment to switch to a unicameral legislature. The Great Depression played a significant role in this decision, as many residents supported cost-cutting measures in government.
By 1937, Nebraska’s new unicameral legislature was officially in place, making it the first and only U.S. state to operate under this model.
How Nebraska’s Unicameral Legislature Works
The Legislative Structure
Nebraska’s Legislature consists of 49 members, called senators, who are elected from districts across the state. Unlike most legislatures, Nebraska’s system is nonpartisan, meaning that candidates do not run under political party labels.
The Lawmaking Process
Nebraska’s legislative process follows several key steps, similar to other states but with a single-chamber approach:
- Bill Introduction – A senator submits a bill for consideration.
- Committee Review – The bill is examined by a legislative committee.
- General File Debate – The full legislature debates the bill.
- Select File Debate – A second round of discussion and potential amendments.
- Final Reading and Vote – A final vote determines whether the bill is passed.
- Governor’s Approval – The governor can sign or veto the bill.
Without a second chamber, the process moves faster than in bicameral systems.
Benefits of Nebraska’s Unicameral Legislature
1. Lower Costs and Greater Efficiency
By eliminating a second chamber, Nebraska saves money on salaries, staff, and administrative expenses. With fewer legislators, there are fewer debates and faster decision-making.
2. Greater Transparency
In a bicameral system, bills can be altered behind closed doors in committees, making it harder for the public to follow legislative decisions. Nebraska’s unicameral system ensures that all discussions happen in a single chamber, increasing transparency.
3. Less Political Gridlock
Since Nebraska’s legislature is nonpartisan, senators are less influenced by party politics. This encourages cooperation over partisan conflict, leading to more productive lawmaking.
4. More Public Participation
Nebraska requires public hearings for every bill, ensuring that citizens have a direct say in the legislative process. This level of engagement is often harder to achieve in bicameral systems.
Challenges of a Unicameral Legislature
1. Lack of Checks and Balances
One of the primary criticisms of unicameralism is the absence of a second chamber to review and refine legislation. In bicameral systems, a House and Senate provide an extra layer of scrutiny, reducing the risk of rushed or poorly drafted laws.
2. Risk of Majority Rule Without Opposition
With only one chamber, a dominant political group can pass laws more easily without opposition. In bicameral legislatures, the two houses often represent different interests, preventing one group from having total control.
3. Limited Representation of Minority Interests
In a bicameral system, one chamber often represents population-based districts, while the other represents regional or geographic interests. Nebraska’s unicameral system lacks this dual representation, which can limit the influence of smaller communities.
Why No Other State Has Adopted a Unicameral Legislature
1. Tradition and Political Resistance
Most states are deeply committed to their bicameral structures, which are modeled after the U.S. Congress. Changing to a unicameral system would require a constitutional amendment and strong political will, which most states lack.
2. Fear of Reduced Accountability
Many lawmakers believe that bicameral systems provide better checks and balances by requiring laws to pass through two separate chambers. Removing one chamber could concentrate power and reduce accountability.
3. Lack of Strong Advocacy for Change
Nebraska’s transition to a unicameral legislature was largely driven by Senator George Norris, who spent years advocating for the change. No similar high-profile political leader has emerged in other states to push for unicameralism.
How Nebraska’s System Compares to Other Governments
Unicameral Legislatures Around the World
While Nebraska is unique in the U.S., many other countries use unicameral legislatures, including:
- Sweden
- New Zealand
- China
- Denmark
These countries have demonstrated that unicameralism can be an effective form of governance, depending on the political and cultural context.
Bicameral vs. Unicameral: Which is Better?
The ideal legislative structure depends on a state’s political needs. While bicameral legislatures provide stronger checks and balances, unicameral legislatures offer greater efficiency and transparency.
Could Other States Adopt a Unicameral Legislature?
Potential for Reform
While no other state has adopted unicameralism, some states have considered reforms, such as:
- Reducing the size of their legislatures to cut costs.
- Making their legislatures nonpartisan to reduce political gridlock.
- Simplifying legislative procedures to increase efficiency.
While a full transition to unicameralism is unlikely, some states may adopt elements of Nebraska’s system in the future.
Nebraska remains the only U.S. state with a unicameral legislature, a system that offers cost savings, efficiency, transparency, and reduced political gridlock.
However, concerns about checks and balances, majority rule, and minority representation have prevented other states from adopting this model.
Despite this, Nebraska’s unique approach continues to spark discussions about legislative efficiency and whether other states should consider similar reforms. Whether unicameralism will spread beyond Nebraska remains uncertain, but its success demonstrates that alternative governance models can work in the U.S. system.