NEBRASKA STATE SENATOR, 2019–2027 · FOUNDER · WRITER

Megan Hunt is an entrepreneur, writer and state senator in Omaha.

She represents District 8 in the Nebraska Legislature, owns the Omaha shops Shop Five Nine and Ceremony, and writes the newsletter More from Megan. This site collects her work in business, politics and writing since 2005.

In the Legislature

Megan was elected in 2018 to represent the midtown Omaha neighborhoods of Dundee, Benson and Keystone, and re-elected in 2022. She was the first openly LGBTQ member of the Nebraska Legislature. Over two terms she introduced more than 115 bills and resolutions on economic security, civil rights, public health, the arts and the environment.

Creative districts for Nebraska

2020 · LB 943

Megan's bill gave the Nebraska Arts Council the authority to certify creative districts: neighborhoods and downtowns built around artists, cultural venues and small creative businesses. It became law in 2020 as part of LB 780, which passed 47–0.

Later legislation added grant funding. By 2026 the program supported 13 districts in 12 communities, from Falls City and Oshkosh to Dundee and Benson in Omaha, with $1 million a year in grants.

Selected legislation

2019 · Updating the state energy code · LB 405
Moved Nebraska's building energy code from the 2009 standard to the 2018 standard, improving building efficiency across the state by an estimated 30 to 35 percent.

2020 · Nebraska Fair Pay to Play Act · LB 962
Allowed college athletes in Nebraska to earn money from their name, image and likeness. Passed 37–6.

2021 · Unemployment benefits for family caregivers · LB 260
Megan's priority bill. Workers who leave a job to care for a family member with a serious health condition can now qualify for unemployment benefits. Passed 33–11.

2023 · Filibuster of LB 574
With Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, Megan filibustered through most of the 2023 session in opposition to a bill restricting gender-affirming care for minors. A narrowed version passed in May 2023.

2024 · Syringe services programs · LB 307
Would have let cities and counties choose to run syringe services programs. Passed the Legislature 30–7 and was vetoed by the governor.

2025 · Foster youth Social Security benefits · LB 275
Required the state to save a growing share of foster youths' Social Security survivor and disability benefits in trust for them, starting at age 14, rather than using all of it to pay for their care. In 2026 Nebraska stopped diverting the benefits entirely.

Other work includes legislation on nonconsensual pornography, tenants' rights and city board appointments that was amended into bills that became law, and bills on the disability subminimum wage, independent redistricting and postpartum care. Legislative page

Businesses

Shops and spaces in Omaha built around independent design, community-building, and making every day more beautiful.

Current
Shop Five Nine
Stationery, paper goods and home goods in Benson. Named for May 9, the birthday Megan shares with Ash, who started the shop with her.
shopfivenine.com

Current
Ceremony
A clothing boutique with vintage, secondhand and new pieces, including designer vintage, and a photo booth.
shopceremony.co

2012–2019
Hello Holiday
Co-founded with Sarah Lorsung Tvrdik. An online shop for clothing from independent designers that grew into a boutique in Dundee.

2010–2012
CAMP
Omaha's first coworking space, opened in May 2010 in the Mastercraft building in North Downtown.

2005–2016
Princess Lasertron
Felt flower bouquets made with vintage buttons, started while Megan was in college. The business was featured in NYT Bestseller The $100 Startup and led to her book, Fabric Blooms.