Nebraska death-penalty supporters got a sign from Arkansas that a proposed, lethal-injection protocol might withstand a court challenge.

On Monday, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals -- which also covers Nebraska -- upheld Arkansas' lethal injection protocol.

The three-drug protocol there is similar to the one expected to be approved by Gov. Dave Heineman.

Nebraska Attorney General spokesman Allen Forkner said that the ruling reinforces the confidence Jon Bruning's office has in the proposed protocol.

Last year, Nebraska lawmakers approved lethal injection as a replacement for electrocution following a 2008 state Supreme Court decision that struck down use of the electric chair.