LB 41A is an appropriation bill that allocates specific state and federal funds to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services for two Medicaid-related programs (344 and 348) to support implementation of Legislative Bill 41. It provides $28,021 (state and federal combined) for Program 344 and $155,579 for Program 348 in fiscal year 2025-26, with similar amounts for 2026-27. The funds must be used exclusively for their designated program purposes and cannot cover state employee salaries. This bill directly affects the Department of Health and Human Services and the Medicaid programs it administers.
This Nebraska bill updates requirements for blood tests during pregnancy. It mandates that healthcare providers offer voluntary syphilis tests at the first prenatal visit, third trimester, and delivery, and voluntary HIV tests during pregnancy (with written refusal allowed). Providers must clearly inform patients about these tests and their right to decline. The bill also ensures Medicaid-covered individuals will have syphilis test costs covered by Medicaid funds, and test results must be reported to health officials without appearing on birth certificates.
LB 22A is an appropriation bill that allocates specific funds to support Legislative Bill 22. It provides $380,628 from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund and $694,972 in federal funds for fiscal year 2025-26, and $774,002 plus $1,377,198 for 2026-27, all to the Department of Health and Human Services' Program 348. These funds are designated exclusively to carry out the provisions of LB 22, with no use permitted for state employee salaries or per diems. The bill directly affects the state's Medicaid program administration by providing targeted financial resources for its implementation.
Nebraska's LB 168 (signed April 9, 2025) adopts the 340B Contract Pharmacy Protection Act to protect access to federally discounted drugs. It prohibits drug manufacturers from restricting 340B drug deliveries to authorized locations (like contract pharmacies) or demanding extra data (such as patient records) beyond federal requirements. The law directly affects safety-net hospitals, clinics, and other 340B entities that rely on discounted drugs, as well as drug manufacturers and distributors. It ensures these providers can continue using 340B discounts without unnecessary barriers imposed by manufacturers.
This bill updates Nebraska's veterans' employment preference rules. It clarifies definitions for "veteran" (including spouses of disabled or deceased service members) and requires state employers to give preference to eligible veterans in hiring, reassignment, and promotions. For private employers, it allows voluntary written policies to prefer veterans, while specifying that applicants must provide documentation like a DD Form 214 or VA disability verification. The changes apply to all state government jobs and private employers who adopt the policy, directly affecting veterans and qualifying spouses seeking employment.
This bill protects funds in Nebraska's ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts from being seized by creditors. It amends state law to explicitly exempt ABLE account balances from levies, judgments, garnishments, and other legal enforcement actions. The change directly benefits Nebraskans with disabilities who use ABLE accounts to pay for qualified disability-related expenses. The policy ensures these funds remain secure and available for their intended purpose, without risk of being used to settle unrelated debts.
LB 325 modifies Nebraska law to allow certain large insurance corporations to exempt one board member from the requirement of being a Nebraska resident. This applies only to insurers meeting five specific criteria: having principal offices in Nebraska, being publicly traded or a wholly owned affiliate of a publicly traded company, being domiciled in Nebraska for 25+ years, employing over 500 Nebraska-based employees subject to state income tax, and having stable ownership for 10 years. If an insurer meets these criteria, it can file an affidavit to waive the residency rule for five years, with the option to renew. If it later fails to meet the criteria, it must notify the Department of Insurance and appoint a Nebraska-resident board member within six months. The bill directly affects large, long-established insurance corporations operating in Nebraska.
This bill allows landlords and tenants to receive legal notices and documents electronically under Nebraska's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act and Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Act. It requires written consent for electronic delivery via email or secure online platforms, replacing older requirements for physical mail or hand-delivery. The change applies to all notices related to rent, lease terms, or legal actions between landlords and tenants. This modernizes communication methods while maintaining the same legal standards for notice validity.
LB 527A is an appropriation bill that allocates specific state and federal funds to two health programs (344 and 348) under Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to support implementation of Legislative Bill 527. It provides $18.05 million for Program 344 and $162.40 million for Program 348 in fiscal year 2025-26, with increased amounts for 2026-27, sourced from the Medicaid Access and Quality Fund and federal Medicaid funds. The bill restricts these funds to the purposes of Legislative Bill 527 and prohibits their use for state employee salaries. Approved by the governor on April 7, 2025, it takes immediate effect due to an emergency declaration.
LB 266 prohibits local governments in Nebraska (cities, counties, and their agencies) from passing any ordinances that would impose rent controls on private rental properties. The bill defines "ordinance" broadly to include local laws, rules, or regulations, and states such restrictions are null and void if enacted. Exceptions allow local governments to adopt ordinances aimed at increasing affordable housing supply through land-use rules or voluntary private programs where property owners contractually agree to rent restrictions. This law overrides local home rule charters and became effective upon the governor's approval on April 7, 2025.
LB 248 amends Nebraska's Child Care Licensing Act to exempt child care programs on military bases or federal property, and facilities already licensed by the U.S. Department of Defense or Coast Guard as family child care providers, from state licensing requirements. The bill updates the legal definition of "Program" to explicitly exclude these federal-operated services from Nebraska's licensing rules. This change eliminates redundant state licensing for programs already regulated under federal authority. The exemption directly affects military family child care facilities and federal programs operating on federal property within Nebraska.
LB 7 requires buyers of specific real estate in Nebraska (defined by federal regulations) to submit an affidavit confirming they are not affiliated with a foreign government or entity designated as a "foreign adversary" under U.S. rules. The affidavit must be signed by the purchaser and submitted to the county register of deeds before a property transfer can be recorded, with the register forwarding a copy to the Attorney General. The bill defines key terms like "foreign corporation," "nonresident alien," and "restricted entity" (including those on U.S. sanctions lists) to clarify who must comply. Violating the affidavit by providing false information is a crime, but the law states such a violation does not invalidate the property title. The requirements apply to real estate transactions occurring on or after January 1, 2025.
