This bill appropriates $830,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $1,135,000 for fiscal year 2026-27 from the Domestic Violence and Sex Trafficking Survivor Housing Assistance Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services' Program 514. The funds are specifically designated to support housing assistance for domestic violence and sex trafficking survivors, as required by Legislative Bill 78. The appropriations are restricted to state aid for housing services and cannot be used for salaries or employee expenses. The bill was approved by the governor on May 20, 2025.
LB 453 requires background checks for people applying to be guardians or conservators in Nebraska. It mandates that applicants submit fingerprints to the Nebraska State Patrol for FBI criminal history checks, with results filed with the court at least 10 days before appointment hearings (unless waived for emergencies). The bill changes existing law to standardize this process, requires applicants to pay for the checks, and prohibits court appointments without the background report - except in emergency temporary guardianship cases. This directly affects individuals seeking court-appointed guardianship or conservatorship roles.
LB 399 amends Nebraska's Mutual Finance Assistance Act to update rules for property tax rates and eligibility for funding distributions. It changes how mutual finance organizations (like fire protection districts) set property tax rates through agreements, requiring members to align rates for one out of three years while capping rates for the rest. The bill also revises population calculation methods to determine if districts qualify for distributions, adjusting how county and city populations are counted. It removes outdated provisions and takes effect on October 1, 2025. This directly affects rural and suburban fire districts and mutual finance organizations seeking state funding.
Nebraska's LB 614 creates exemptions for specific farm buildings from city and village zoning regulations in areas outside municipal boundaries but within their extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction. It applies to farm buildings on properties of 20+ acres producing at least $1,000 annually in farm products, provided they align with the local comprehensive development plan. Cities of first/second class and villages must notify county boards 30 days before adopting zoning changes affecting these areas, allowing counties to comment. The bill directly affects farmers with qualifying properties and local governments managing rural zoning. It does not change existing farming operations but streamlines regulatory exemptions for eligible farm structures.
LB 385 amends Nebraska's Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act to modernize protections against false business claims. It directly affects businesses selling goods or services in Nebraska by adding specific prohibitions, including: requiring clear notice for file-sharing programs (§ 87-302(19)), banning misleading substance representations (§ 87-302(22)), restricting harmful material involving minors (§ 87-302(23)), and mandating accurate privacy policies (§ 87-302(15)). These provisions clarify when business practices constitute deception under state law. The bill was signed into law on May 21, 2025.
LB 120 modifies Nebraska's Motor Vehicle Operator's License Act to clarify when digital images and signatures captured during license applications may be released. It permits release only to law enforcement agencies (for official duties), the Secretary of State (for voter ID verification), or the Nebraska State Patrol (for missing persons cases), always requiring identity and purpose verification. Strict security protocols must be followed for storage and protection of these images, with violations punishable as a Class I misdemeanor. The bill directly affects license applicants, law enforcement, election officials, and the Nebraska State Patrol by defining authorized access to biometric data.
Nebraska's LB 470 allows attorneys to submit unsworn declarations under penalty of perjury instead of sworn declarations for most legal documents. This change directly affects attorneys representing parties in court cases, replacing requirements for sworn statements like affidavits with simpler written declarations. The bill specifies two required wording formats: one for documents signed within Nebraska ("I declare under penalty of perjury...") and one for out-of-state documents. Attorneys must sign these declarations as "true under penalty of perjury" to maintain legal accountability, while excluding depositions and certain official oaths from the change.
Nebraska's LB 246 prohibits the sale of cultivated-protein food products (lab-grown meat made from animal cells grown in labs) under the state's Pure Food Act. The bill amends food safety laws to explicitly classify these products as "adulterated food," making their sale illegal without new regulatory approval. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of lab-grown meat products within Nebraska. The key mechanism adds "cultivated-protein food products" to the definition of adulterated food under Section 81-2,282, while linking violations to deceptive trade practices under Section 87-302. This creates an immediate legal barrier to selling such products under current food safety standards.
This bill requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to automatically review a noncustodial parent's child support order within 15 business days if they are incarcerated for more than 180 days. The department must notify both parents, request financial information within 30 days, and complete the review within 120 days. If the review finds no need to reduce support, the incarcerated parent is granted a conference to discuss the findings. The bill directly affects incarcerated parents paying child support, their children, and the state agency managing these orders.
LB 140 requires Nebraska public school districts to adopt policies governing student use of electronic devices (like phones and tablets) on school property or during school activities. The policy must generally prohibit device use, except for specific exceptions: students' individualized education plans (IEPs), approved educational activities, emergencies, health monitoring, or school authorization. School boards must develop these policies with input from students, parents, and educators. The law takes effect before the 2025-26 school year and applies directly to all public school districts in Nebraska.
Nebraska's LB 133 grants animal control officers - appointed by cities, towns, or counties - authority to enforce state and local animal welfare laws, including inspecting properties, impounding animals, and issuing citations for abandonment or cruelty. The bill provides legal immunity to these officers for property damage during enforcement, unless caused by their negligence. It standardizes procedures for seizing animals and requires courts to handle disposition within 10 business days of seizure, including notifying owners. This directly affects animal control officers, animal owners, and local governments by clarifying enforcement powers and reducing legal risks for officers.
LB 36A is an appropriation bill that allocates specific funds from the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Fund to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy. It provides $51,585 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $109,036 for 2026-27 to support Program 513, directly funding the implementation of Legislative Bill 36. The bill includes spending limits: total salary and per diem costs cannot exceed $30,264 for 2025-26 or $63,554 for 2026-27. This funding mechanism ensures resources are available for the waste reduction program outlined in LB 36, without changing laws or affecting the public directly.
