Bob Andersen
State legislatureNebraska
District49th
Term startJanuary 8, 2025
PredecessorJen Day
Birth dateFebruary 11, 1963 (age 63)
Birth placeTiffin, Ohio
PartyRepublican
SpouseJulie Andersen
Websitehttps://bob4ne.com/

Bob Andersen (born February, 1963) is an American politician, currently serving as a state senator in Nebraska.

Personal life

Andersen was born on February 11, 1963, in Tiffin, Ohio and graduated from Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Michigan, in 1981. He earned his associate degree at Community College of the U.S. Air Force and graduated from Peru State College in 2002 with a bachelor's degree.[1]

Andersen joined the Air Force in 1982 after and left the service in 2003. He is a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, along with being a member of the American Legion, National Rifle Association, and 88 Tactical (a firearms shooting and training facility) in Sarpy County.[1][2] He is married to Julie Andersen.

Bob runs a non-profit organization named the Defense Scientific and Technical Services. He is also a Subject Matter Expert with a defense contractor[2]

Nebraska State Legislature

On November 5, 2024, Andersen defeated incumbent State Senator Jen Day for Nebraska 49th district by a close 908 votes. Jen receiving 10,247 votes, and Andersen receiving 11,155 votes.

As of 2025, Andersen serves as the Vice Chairperson on the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, member of the General Affairs Committee, member of the Urban Affairs Committee, and member of Homeland Security Policy Group.[3][4]

District 49 of Nebraska's Legislative District includes the north-central portion of Sarpy County, including small portions of southwestern edge of the city of La Vista, Nebraska and a small portion of the northwestern edge of Papillion, Nebraska.[5]

LGBTQA+

Andersen is against expanding gender-affirming care for minors and is also against transgender individuals playing in sports that do not match biological genes.[6] Andersen has also voiced his support for The Stand With Women Act,[7] an anti-trans bill.[8]

Abortion Rights

Andersen is against expanding abortion rights.[6]

Marijuana

Andersen is against legalizing recreational marijuana.[6] He has also voiced concern of medical marijuana while on the General Affairs Committee.[9]

School Choice

Andersen is pro school choice, allowing parents more educational options for their children, including charter schools.[6]

Government Assistance Programs

In 2025, Andersen introduced Legislative Bill 656 (LB 656), Change work requirements under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which seeks to get rid of federal waivers based on how high unemployment rates are in a geographic region. As of July 2025, the bill is still listed on general file.[10]

Andersen also introduced Legislative Bill 379 (LB 379), Change the maximum time limit for receipt of cash assistance under the Welfare Reform Act. As of July 2025, that bill is also listed on general file.[11][12]

Andersen also opposed Legislative Bill (LB 319), Change eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, introduced by Senator Victor Rountree.[13][14] The bill sought to allow for Nebraskan citizens with felony convictions to apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP. LB 319 did pass in the Unicameral before being vetoed by Governor Jim Pillen.[15]

Crime

In the 2025 legislative session, Andersen introduced Legislative Bill (LB 657), Create the offense of assault on a sports official and provide a penalty under the Nebraska Criminal Code, also called the Ref's Act. The bill aims to make any physical assault of a sports referee a felony and gives referee's more protection should they be assaulted.[16]

Opponents of the bill argue that the Ref's Act is unnecessary as there are already heavy fines and jail time for physical assault of an individual, regardless of profession.[17] As of July 2025, the bill has been referred to the Judiciary Committee.[16]

Property Taxes

Andersen would like to place a cap on property taxes for residential and commercial properties. Per a post on X, Andersen is working with Senator Kathleen Kauth to "prioritize and use her draft Constitutional Amendment (LR12CA) to value property based on the purchase price with no increases."[18] Andersen made LR12CA a priority bill, adding his name in March 2025.[19]

Voting

In January 2025, Andersen added his name to Legislative Bill 3 (LB 3), Change provisions relating to selection of presidential electors. The bill was introduced by Senator Loren Lippincott and aims to get rid of Nebraska's split electoral vote. As of Summer 2025, the bill is on General File.[20]

References

  1. ^ "Nebraska Legislature". nebraskalegislature.gov. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  2. ^ "About - Bob Andersen for Legislature". bob4ne.com. 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  3. ^ "Nebraska Legislature Committees". nebraskalegislature.gov. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  4. ^ "Nebraska Senator Landing Page - Senator Bob Andersen". nebraskalegislature.gov
  5. ^ "Legislative District 49". Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  6. ^ "Nebraska Vote Guide - Bob Andersen". NebraskaVoterGuide.com. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  7. ^ ""Today was a great day for women, especially those women who seek opportunities through their pursuits in athletics."". No. 1930340868520849456. June 4, 2025. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  8. ^ "LB89 - Adopt the Stand With Women Act". Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  9. ^ Wendling, Zach (March 25, 2025). "Medical cannabis bill awaits amendment as possible green light to full Nebraska Legislature". KOLN-KGIN News. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  10. ^ "LB656 - Change work requirements under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program". nebraskalegislature.gov. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  11. ^ "LB656 - Change the maximum time limit for receipt of cash assistance under the Welfare Reform Act". nebraskalegislature.gov. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  12. ^ Salinas, Juan (2025-02-27). "Nebraska State Sen. Bob Andersen pushes to limit who can receive public assistance". The Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  13. ^ "Change eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program". nebraskalegislature.gov. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  14. ^ Gonzalez II, Cindy (2025-04-10). "Nebraska State Sen. Bob Andersen pushes to limit who can receive public assistance". The Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  15. ^ Strimple, Laura (2025-04-10). "Gov. Pillen Vetoes Bill Allowing Convicted Drug Offenders Access to SNAP". The Nebraska Governor’s Office - Jim Pillen. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  16. ^ "LB657 - Create the offense of assault on a sports official and provide a penalty under the Nebraska Criminal Code". Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  17. ^ Cohn, Camden (February 26, 2025). "Bill aims to protect Nebraska sports officials". Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  18. ^ ""Throughout my campaign, the top issue I heard about was property taxes. Voters mostly talked about how dramatic valuation increases"". No. 1919377448308756830. May 5, 2025. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  19. ^ "LR12CA - Constitutional amendment to impose a limit on ad valorem taxes for real property, provide a new method of valuing real property for tax purposes, provide certain exceptions, and eliminate conflicting constitutional provisions". Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  20. ^ "LB3 - Change provisions relating to selection of presidential electors". Retrieved 2025-07-06.