Nebraska Bills

Nebraska's LB 1139 amends laws governing liens from child and spousal support orders. It clarifies that current support payments (verified by the Title IV-D Division) automatically release property liens, eliminating the need for court action when payments are up-to-date. If a support creditor refuses to release a lien despite current payments, the debtor can seek court approval for release or subordination after providing proof of payment. The bill also sets a 10-year expiration for these liens (from when support ends or the last collection attempt), and establishes procedures for handling disputes over lien releases. This directly affects individuals owing support (who face property liens) and those receiving support (who manage lien enforcement).

LB 880 prohibits Nebraska residential landlords from banning or charging extra fees for rent payments made via electronic transfer (such as direct deposit or online payment systems). It directly affects landlords renting residential properties and their tenants who use electronic payment methods. The law requires landlords to accept these payments without restrictions and without additional charges, amending the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. This ensures tenants can use convenient payment options without financial penalties.

LB 971 requires most health insurance plans in Nebraska to cover prescribed asthma inhalers without cost-sharing. It directly affects people with asthma who have health insurance, mandating coverage for one rescue inhaler and one maintenance inhaler per year when prescribed by a doctor. The bill prohibits deductibles, copays, or coinsurance for these specific inhalers, though high-deductible plans may still apply annual deductibles if needed to maintain health savings account eligibility. This policy change ensures immediate access to essential asthma medications without out-of-pocket costs for covered individuals.

LB 1069 requires emergency care providers (such as ambulance services and emergency clinics) to certify they have a policy for submitting billing claims to third-party payors like Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurers to qualify for state-funded emergency medical services grants. This applies specifically to providers seeking state grant assistance administered by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The bill defines "billing for services" as the regular submission of claims for reimbursement for both emergency and non-emergency medical care. The requirement is a condition for receiving state grants, and the bill repeals the previous version of the relevant statute.

LB 922 amends Nebraska's Motor Vehicle Industry Regulation Act to update the fee schedule for industry licenses, specifically revising Section 60-1411.01. It lists current fees for licenses including motor vehicle dealers ($1,400), manufacturers ($1,560), distributors ($1,560), and others, while repealing the original section. The bill directly affects auto dealers, manufacturers, distributors, and related businesses that pay these annual licensing fees. No new fees are created - this is a procedural update to align the statute with existing fee amounts. The change ensures the law accurately reflects current licensing costs without altering the financial burden on license holders.

This proposed constitutional amendment (LR 303CA) would require all employers in Nebraska to provide paid family medical leave to employees. It mandates a minimum of six weeks of paid leave starting October 1, 2027, increasing to twelve weeks by October 1, 2028. The amendment must be approved by Nebraska voters in the November 2026 general election to become part of the state constitution. If approved, it would directly affect all Nebraska employers and their employees by establishing a state-wide paid leave requirement.

This bill requires proxy advisors (firms that provide voting recommendations to shareholders) to disclose if they made a recommendation against company management without using a written financial analysis. Specifically, if an advisor recommends voting against company proposals (like board elections or executive pay) without analyzing the financial impact, they must clearly state this to both shareholders and the company's board. The disclosure must explain that the recommendation wasn't based on a document analyzing short/long-term financial benefits, shareholder value conclusions, or methodology. This applies to all proxy advisory services provided to Nebraska-based companies or shareholders.

LB 1136 requires cities, counties, and other local governments in Nebraska to publicly list on their websites who can legally accept tort claims (like injury or property damage lawsuits against them). This includes the name, title, and mailing address of the designated official or law department. Filing a claim with this listed recipient satisfies legal filing requirements, and if a government fails to maintain accurate website information, the deadlines for filing claims and lawsuits are extended. The bill directly affects residents filing claims against local governments and ensures clearer, more accessible claim submission processes.

Nebraska's LB 868 creates an inheritance tax exemption for property transferred from a person who was a homicide victim. This directly affects individuals inheriting assets from someone killed in a homicide, as they may qualify for the exemption by filing an application with the Department of Revenue. The bill changes the tax payment deadline: if an exemption application is filed within 12 months of the death, the tax becomes due 12 months after the exemption determination (not the death date). The exemption applies to deaths on or after June 1, 2026, and requires either a homicide conviction or a court determination that the decedent was a victim.

LB 974 would impose a supplemental 9.5% excise tax on individual income above $1 million for single filers or $2 million for married couples filing jointly, calculated after subtracting existing income tax rates. It creates the "Tax Equity Cash Fund" to collect this new tax revenue, which the Department of Revenue would manage. Funds in the account may only be used for administrative costs related to the tax or transferred to three specific state funds (General Fund, Education Future Fund, or Property Tax Credit Cash Fund), not for new programs. This bill directly affects high-income Nebraskans earning above the thresholds, with no specified new spending beyond fund transfers.

LB 970 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to submit a state plan amendment seeking federal approval to add early literacy promotion and intervention services to well-child visits under the existing Medicaid Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program. This change would directly affect children under 21 covered by Nebraska Medicaid who receive routine well-child checkups. The bill mandates that these visits include screenings and interventions for early literacy development, integrating this service into the current EPSDT framework. The key mechanism is the submission of a state plan amendment to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for approval. This policy change would expand the scope of preventive services provided during standard pediatric visits for Medicaid-eligible children.

Nebraska's LB 855, the Youth Early Intervention and Support Act, creates a state-supported system for schools to identify and assist students showing early signs of distress. It requires all public school districts to form teams - including school staff, community health workers, and family advocates - to monitor specific indicators like chronic absenteeism, declining grades, behavior changes, or hygiene concerns, and connect students to support services instead of punishment. The system uses existing school and community resources to coordinate trauma-informed care, mental health referrals, and basic needs assistance while complying with federal privacy laws (FERPA/HIPAA). The bill directly affects Nebraska students in public schools and school districts, aiming to reduce juvenile justice and child welfare involvement through early, collaborative intervention.