Nebraska bill LB 981 gives cities of "metropolitan class" (like Omaha and Lincoln) new authority to regulate local housing authorities through city ordinances. It changes complaint processes for housing agencies, requires housing authorities to report on bed bug issues, and aligns existing rules under the Nebraska Housing Agency Act. The bill directly affects metropolitan cities, their housing authorities, and residents living in housing units managed by these agencies. It updates the legal framework without creating new housing programs or funding.
Nebraska's LB 1041 requires cities, villages, and counties to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on single-family residential lots. The bill sets size limits (max 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the main house), prohibits local restrictions on ADU placement (like stricter height or setback rules), and bans requirements for additional parking or occupancy rules based on income, age, or family relationships. It mandates automatic permit approval for ADUs meeting state standards within the same timeline as main-house permits, without discretionary hearings. The law defines ADUs as secondary residences (attached or detached) on the same lot as a primary home, overriding conflicting local ordinances while allowing more permissive local rules.
Nebraska's LB 758 simplifies how tax-exempt charities (501(c)(3) organizations) claim property they were designated to receive after a person's death. The bill requires charities to submit a detailed affidavit with supporting documents (like IRS tax-exempt status proof and the decedent's death certificate) to the property holder or information provider. Property holders must pay, deliver, or transfer the property to the charity within 30 days, or provide requested information. If they fail to comply, the charity can sue within one year and may recover damages, attorney fees, or a $10,000 civil penalty. This directly affects charities named as beneficiaries in wills, insurance policies, retirement accounts, or other non-testamentary transfers.
LB 814 changes Nebraska's property tax valuation for agricultural and horticultural land, reducing the assessed value from 75% to 50% of market value starting January 1, 2027. This adjustment lowers the taxable value of such land, directly reducing property tax bills for farmers, gardeners, and landowners using property for agricultural or horticultural purposes. The bill also updates the acceptable valuation range for these lands to 44-50% of market value after 2027, replacing the previous 69-75% range. The change affects all Nebraska landowners with qualifying agricultural or horticultural land, as it modifies how their property is assessed for tax purposes.
LB 936 amends Nebraska law to allow nurse practitioners (NPs) to use fluoroscopy for procedural guidance and authorized duties after completing approved training, and clarifies that medical radiographers may collaborate with NPs in fluoroscopy procedures. The bill directly affects NPs, medical radiographers, and patients receiving imaging services in clinical settings. Key provisions require NPs to complete joint department/board-approved education before using fluoroscopy and specify that radiographers must work under NP direction or collaboration during these procedures. It repeals prior restrictions that limited fluoroscopy use to nurse anesthetists and updates the Uniform Credentialing Act requirements. This creates a formal framework for NPs and radiographers to work together on fluoroscopy-based care.
This bill modifies Nebraska's workers' compensation insurance rules to allow employers to choose deductibles for medical claims or overall policy costs. Employers could select a medical deductible between $500 and $2,500 per claim, or a broader deductible covering up to 40% of their annual premium but no less than $50,000. The law ensures insurers remain responsible for paying medical providers directly and that employees cannot be required to pay deductibles or lose their right to choose doctors. Insurers must assess an employer's financial ability to pay deductibles before offering this option, and employer-paid deductible amounts will count toward experience modification ratings starting in 2027.
LB 879, the "Guest Worker Permit Act," requires undocumented individuals working in Nebraska to obtain a state-issued permit before starting work under a contract or within 30 days of signing one. It directly affects undocumented workers who live or work in Nebraska but are not compliant with federal immigration law. Key provisions include creating a permit system administered by the Department of Labor, requiring employers to provide contact information for workers, and barring individuals with certain serious criminal convictions (like violent felonies or sex offenses) from obtaining permits. The law would take effect by July 1, 2028, pending federal approval of necessary waivers.
LB 1089 amends enforcement rules for Nebraska's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, directly affecting employers who violate the law and employees seeking redress. It sets fines up to $500 for first violations and $5,000 for repeat offenses, requires employers to contest penalties within 15 days, and bars unpaid violators from state contracts until resolved. The bill also mandates public disclosure of issued citations (excluding those under active contest) and allows employees to use enforcement citations as evidence in lawsuits. These changes streamline penalties, increase transparency, and strengthen enforcement mechanisms without altering the underlying worker protections.
LB 889 changes penalties under Nebraska's State Electrical Act by elevating violations from misdemeanors to Class IV felonies. It directly affects licensed electrical workers and contractors who commit specific violations, including making false statements on license applications, working without a license, failing to request required inspections, interfering with inspectors, or ignoring electrical regulations. The bill amends Section 81-2143 of the State Electrical Act to reflect this penalty increase for all five listed offenses. The original misdemeanor penalty provision is repealed, making these violations punishable by felony charges.
This bill amends Nebraska's Child Care Licensing Act to strengthen safety requirements for child care facilities. It requires background checks for all staff members (including prospective employees) and mandates that volunteers be counted in staff-to-child ratio calculations. The bill also revises the complaint tracking system and adds duties for the Department of Health and Human Services to oversee enforcement. These changes directly affect licensed child care centers, family child care homes, and their staff/volunteers by updating safety protocols and reporting requirements.
This bill establishes new requirements for approving pipelines transporting carbon dioxide in Nebraska. The Nebraska Oil and Gas Commission must approve such pipelines only if they demonstrate a compelling need to reduce emissions, ensure operational safety, avoid taxpayer costs, reduce emissions, protect the environment, and provide economic benefits to Nebraska. It also prohibits using eminent domain to acquire land for pipelines built primarily to transport carbon dioxide. The bill updates related laws about geologic carbon storage, requiring permits to verify safety, environmental protection, and proper storage of carbon dioxide. These changes directly affect pipeline developers, landowners, and the state's regulatory agencies.
LB 1090 requires petition circulators in Nebraska to provide personal details (name, date of birth, address, felony conviction status, and pardon status) via a notarized affidavit before circulating petitions. It directly affects individuals who collect signatures for initiatives, referendums, or candidate petitions. The bill imposes penalties including a Class III felony for falsifying circulator affidavits and a Class IV felony for accepting payment for signatures. These changes aim to verify circulator eligibility and prevent fraud in petition drives.
