Nebraska lawmakers have advanced a bill that would do away with mandatory minimum criminal sentences for certain drug offenses.

The bill which advanced on a 25-to-22 vote is a much slimmer version than the original.

Senator Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln argues mandatory minimums undermine the discretion of judges. . .

Senator Mike Hilgers of Lincoln, who had opposed the original bill, tells colleagues he still opposes it, even though it now only applies to drug offenses. . .

Still, the change brought in enough senators to advance the measure. It originally covered many more felony offenses, including many gun offenses and the manufacturing of child pornography.