LB 816 protects the confidentiality of communications between public safety personnel and peer support team members. It makes peer support meetings and related records privileged and confidential, meaning they cannot be disclosed in court, treated as public records, or used in disciplinary proceedings. This law directly affects law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and support staff (like dispatchers) who receive or provide peer support for critical incidents or personal issues. The only exceptions to confidentiality are with the recipient's written consent or if a person's safety is at immediate risk.
Nebraska Legislative Bill LB 757 creates a sales and use tax exemption for businesses purchasing aircraft to lease between related companies (such as parent-subsidiary or sister companies). It directly affects corporations that lease aircraft internally, exempting the initial purchase from tax if two conditions are met: lease income must equal at least 7.5% of the aircraft's net acquisition price, and sales tax must be collected on lease payments. The exemption applies to the purchase transaction only, not the lease payments themselves. The bill becomes effective October 1, 2026, and repeals the previous tax provision it amends.
This bill sets new rules for lawsuits claiming injury from exposure to ethylene oxide, a chemical used in sterilizing medical equipment. It limits liability for health care businesses (like those manufacturing or sterilizing medical devices) unless plaintiffs prove by clear and convincing evidence that the business acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct, failed to comply with federal regulations, and that this directly caused the injury. Plaintiffs must also provide detailed specifics about their claims, damages, and the alleged misconduct in court filings. The law applies to all such cases filed before or after its effective date.
LB 815 imposes a 9.5-cent-per-gallon tax on diesel fuels, effective January 1, 2019, which must be paid by fuel producers, suppliers, and distributors. It changes the rules for refunding motor fuel taxes and eliminates the Ethanol Production Incentive Cash Fund, which previously provided financial support to ethanol producers. The bill also modifies or removes several provisions from the Ethanol Development Act that governed ethanol-related tax programs. Additionally, it repeals multiple sections of existing law related to fuel taxes and ethanol incentives.
LB 894 updates Nebraska's Grain Dealer Act by changing annual licensing fees and security requirements for grain dealers. It sets an annual license fee at $100 (capped at $1,500 per license) and requires grain dealers to provide security of $35,000 to $1,000,000, calculated based on their direct grain purchases. The bill redefines "grain dealer" to clarify who is covered (excluding certain warehouse licensees) and "grain" to include specific agricultural commodities like organic products. These changes directly affect businesses buying grain from producers for resale or acting as marketing agents, aiming to modernize oversight while protecting producers' interests.
LB 727 authorizes Nebraska law enforcement agencies to obtain and maintain EpiPens (epinephrine autoinjectors) for officers to use during emergencies involving severe allergic reactions. It requires officers to complete approved training programs - approved by the Department of Health and Human Services - before administering an EpiPen while on duty. The bill specifies that agencies are not required to provide EpiPens, and officers are not required to carry or use them. Participation is voluntary for both agencies and officers, with training certification needed for any use.
This bill raises the mandatory retirement age for Nebraska State Patrol officers from 60 to 65 years under the State Patrol Retirement Act. It directly affects current and future State Patrol officers who must retire upon reaching age 65 instead of 60. The bill also updates the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP), allowing officers who meet eligibility requirements (25+ years of service and normal retirement age) to delay retirement payments for up to five years while continuing active duty. During this period, retirement benefits are held in a separate account and paid out upon final retirement. The changes aim to adjust retirement timing and benefit management for State Patrol members.
LB 1064, the "Large Load Customer Regulation Act," establishes rules for public power suppliers (like municipal utilities) to interconnect large electricity users exceeding 20 megawatts at a single site. It requires these customers to disclose if they’re pursuing similar service elsewhere (with confidentiality) and provide details about onsite backup power. Public power suppliers must charge a $100,000 flat fee for initial interconnection studies and can negotiate custom rates to cover infrastructure costs and mitigate risks to other customers. The bill also mandates procedures for demand response and emergency load curtailment during grid emergencies. This directly affects large commercial/industrial facilities and public power providers across Nebraska.
LB 1121 establishes a new regulatory framework specifically for the recreational vehicle (RV) industry in Nebraska, replacing outdated provisions under the Motor Vehicle Industry Regulation Act. It creates the "Recreational Vehicle Industry Regulation Act" to govern agreements between RV dealers and manufacturers, define key terms (like "bona fide consumer" and "area of sales responsibility"), and add three members to the Nebraska Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board. The bill directly affects RV dealers, manufacturers, distributors, and consumers by setting rules for exclusive sales territories, warranty services, and preventing dealers from selling more than eight RVs annually to avoid "bona fide consumer" status. It takes effect on a specified operative date and aims to address industry-specific needs distinct from standard motor vehicle regulations.
LB 1135 amends Nebraska's Municipal Land Bank Act to standardize board composition requirements for land banks created by single or multiple municipalities. It requires boards to have at least seven voting members (an odd number), with a majority residing within the creating municipality, and mandates specific expertise in areas like housing, real estate, banking, and community development. The bill also requires representation from chambers of commerce, banking, real estate development, and affordable housing sectors, while ensuring racial/ethnic diversity where possible. These changes apply directly to municipalities operating land banks, aiming to harmonize governance rules and clarify board qualifications.
LB 1104 clarifies Nebraska's motor vehicle registration rules to prevent residents from avoiding state taxes. It creates a rebuttable presumption that vehicles stored in Nebraska for over 30 days must be registered and taxed here, based on factors like ownership ties to Nebraska (e.g., residency, insurance, or business affiliation). The bill requires the Department of Motor Vehicles or Revenue to notify residents of this presumption and allows a 30-day appeal period. If unresolved, residents must pay back taxes, fees, and a 50% late penalty. This directly affects Nebraska residents who register vehicles in other states but keep them in Nebraska for extended periods.
Nebraska's LB 1037 modifies how the state handles cigarette and tobacco tax refunds for sales on tribal lands. It replaces individual refund applications with a new process where tribes can negotiate a tax refund formula with the Governor, capping refunds at taxes actually paid by tribal businesses on tribal land. The bill directly affects federally recognized tribes selling tobacco products on their own land (where state tax is precluded by federal law) and the state tax office. Key provisions require the Governor to negotiate in good faith with tribes upon request, establish a 60-day negotiation timeline, and ensure negotiated formulas don't exceed actual tribal tax payments.
