Nebraska Bills

This bill allocates $50,000 from the Nebraska Statutes Distribution Cash Fund to the Legislative Council for fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28 to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 1236. The funds are designated for Program 123 and cannot be used for employee salaries or per diems. The legislation includes an emergency declaration, allowing it to take effect immediately upon approval.

LB 365A is an appropriation bill that allocates specific funds to support Legislative Bill 365. It provides $9,634 in General Funds and $15,476 in federal funds for fiscal year 2026-27, and $19,268 in General Funds and $30,952 in federal funds for fiscal year 2027-28 to the Department of Health and Human Services' Program 348. These funds are explicitly designated for "state aid" related to LB 365 and cannot be used for state employee salaries or per diems. The bill directly affects the Department of Health and Human Services' Program 348 by funding its implementation under LB 365.

LB 1127A is a funding bill that allocates $4,750 from the State Park Cash Revolving Fund for each fiscal year 2026-27 and 2027-28 to the Game and Parks Commission. The funds are specifically designated to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 1127 (the main bill, not detailed here). This bill does not fund salaries or per diems for state employees. It serves as a procedural funding mechanism for another bill's execution, with no direct impact on the public or new policy changes.

This bill changes residency rules for county sheriffs in non-metropolitan counties and updates training requirements for law enforcement officers. Specifically, it modifies Section 23-1701 to require sheriffs in counties without large cities to reside in their county or an adjacent county while serving, rather than only after election. It also maintains the existing requirement (under Section 23-1701.01) that sheriffs complete annual continuing education through Nebraska’s Law Enforcement Training Center. These changes directly affect sheriffs in Nebraska counties without metropolitan, primary, or first-class cities. The bill harmonizes existing provisions and sets effective dates for implementation.

LB 737 requires Nebraska's Health and Human Services Committee and Urban Affairs Committee to hold an annual joint public hearing each October. The hearing must assess progress on the Olmstead plan - Nebraska's strategy to provide community-based services for people with disabilities - specifically in housing, employment, education, community supports, and transportation. Committees must submit a written report to the Legislature by December 31 each year. This bill directly affects individuals with disabilities by ensuring regular public evaluation of their access to community services, and it mandates state agencies to provide transparent updates on implementation. The bill amends existing law to replace prior reporting requirements with this structured annual review process.

This bill changes Nebraska's rules for listing taxable tangible personal property, such as business equipment or vehicles. It requires property owners to file annual forms with county assessors by May 1, using forms provided by the Tax Commissioner. The bill also clarifies that those seeking exemptions under the Nebraska Advantage Act or ImagiNE Nebraska Act must submit required documentation by the same deadline, or lose the exemption. Failure to file on time results in forfeiture of exemptions, even if taxable property is still listed under standard rules.

This Nebraska bill (LB 935) allows courts to award attorney fees and costs to local governments when they face frivolous or harassing lawsuits. It specifically targets claims against "political subdivisions" (cities, counties, school districts, and other local entities) that lack legal merit or are filed solely to delay or harass public officials. The law requires courts to hold a separate hearing to determine if a claim or defense was frivolous before ordering fees, with exceptions for good-faith legal arguments or prompt dismissals. Local governments can request these fees as a motion or claim, and courts may award them in addition to other judgments. The policy aims to prevent wasteful use of taxpayer resources on baseless litigation.

LB 966, the Hunger-Free Schools Act, requires Nebraska public and nonprofit private schools participating in federal meal programs to provide free breakfasts and lunches to students who qualify for reduced-price meals under federal rules. The State Department of Education will reimburse schools for the difference between federal funding rates for free meals versus reduced-price meals, based on the previous school year's data. This directly affects schools serving qualifying students, ensuring they receive funding support for meals provided at no cost to those students. The bill replaces previous reimbursement rules and repeals outdated sections of law related to school meal programs.

This bill changes Nebraska's sales tax rate schedule and adjusts how tax revenue is distributed to state funds. It sets the sales tax rate at 5.5% from October 2025 through July 2027, with a reduced rate of 2.75% in certain "good life districts" during that period. The bill also modifies fund distributions, continuing to direct vehicle-related sales tax revenue (for motorboats, ATVs, etc.) to the Game and Parks Commission Capital Maintenance Fund, while adding a requirement to transfer a portion of these funds to the Emergency Medical System Operations Fund starting July 2024. Additionally, it adjusts how highway-related tax revenue is split between the Highway Trust Fund and Highway Allocation Fund.

LB 962 establishes the Youth Reentry and Transitional Support Act to support youth under 21 exiting juvenile detention, group homes, residential treatment programs, or probation supervision. The law requires state agencies to develop individualized transition plans within 60 days of custody, assign aftercare coordinators for up to 12 months post-release, and create individualized employment plans with career pathways. Key provisions include housing stabilization strategies, continuity of behavioral health and Medicaid services, credible messenger mentoring, and joint meetings between probation officers and coordinators. The program integrates existing state resources across the Department of Health and Human Services, Juvenile Services, Probation Administration, and the Department of Education.

LB 998 amends Nebraska's tax code (Section 77-2716) to adjust the state income tax deduction available to Nebraska National Guard members. The bill changes how federal income adjustments are applied when calculating state tax for these service members. This directly affects National Guard members by altering their eligibility or calculation for the state tax deduction. The specific details of the adjustment are not detailed in the provided bill text excerpt.

Nebraska's LB 952 creates the Supreme Court Operations Cash Fund to replace two existing funds, terminating the Supreme Court Reports Cash Fund and the Court Appointed Special Advocate Fund. The new fund will be used for court and probation programs that improve justice administration and community safety, funded by fees, grants, donations, and payments from political subdivisions for court services. The bill also eliminates obsolete provisions related to fund transfers and grants. This reorganization streamlines court funding by consolidating resources under a single operational fund. The changes take effect on the bill's operative date, with remaining funds from terminated accounts transferred to the General Fund.