A bill to make lethal injection Nebraska's method of execution was introduced Thursday by Speaker of the Legislature Mike Flood. LB 36 is backed by Gov. Dave Heineman, and Attorney General Jon Bruning.

Nebraska's death penalty was essentially nullified when the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled last February that death by electrocution was unconstitutional. The electric chair is the only method of execution currently specified in state law.

Attorney General Bruning said, “Nebraskans believe that death is the appropriate sentence for those who commit the most horrific murders. Those who commit the ultimate crime deserve the ultimate punishment.”

State Sen. Danielle Nantkes of Lincoln said the lethal injection bill could face a filibuster from death penalty opponents.

And Sen. Brenda Council of Omaha, who replaced former Sen. Ernie Chambers, said she'll work to block the bill "by all means necessary."

Chambers single-handedly filibustered lethal injection bills during his tenure because he was convinced the electric chair would eventually be ruled unconstitutional.

Gov. Heineman said the issue needs to be resolved during this legislative session.

Speaker Flood said he "recognizes this is a difficult issue".

"I firmly believe that the death penalty remains appropriate in those circumstances involving the most heinous of crimes," Flood said, "and I expect a thorough and deliberate debate."

The bill would require the Department of Correctional Services select the lethal substance or substances used in the injection.

Nationwide, 36 states use lethal injection with 27 states adopting it as their sole method of execution.