This bill reduces funding for the Department of Economic Development's Community and Rural Development program by approximately $10 million in the 2026-27 fiscal year. It decreases General Fund allocations from $7.29 million to $6.29 million and cuts Cash Fund allocations significantly (from $36.58 million to $21.67 million and $36.58 million to $27.67 million), while maintaining Federal Funds at about $54.57 million. The bill eliminates $250,000 for prefabricated housing studies, keeps $700,000 for development districts, and maintains $4.88 million for reading mentorship programs. It directly affects the department's budget execution for rural development initiatives, housing studies, and educational support programs. The changes reflect a reallocation of state funds without introducing new policy requirements.
LB 870 changes Nebraska's rules for determining in-state tuition eligibility at state colleges and universities. It adds new residency categories, including students who attended Nebraska high school for three years, military personnel and their dependents stationed in Nebraska, and students who are dependents of Nebraska residents. The bill requires documentary proof of residency for most cases and allows students who lived with a parent in Nebraska during high school to retain in-state status even if the parent moves, provided they intend to make Nebraska their permanent home. This directly affects students applying to Nebraska's public colleges who might otherwise pay higher out-of-state tuition rates.
Nebraska's LB 750 directs the Department of Health and Human Services to increase reimbursement rates for PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program services to at least 80% of the actual cost of care provided at PACE centers. This policy change directly affects PACE providers (who deliver comprehensive medical and social services to seniors) and the elderly beneficiaries enrolled in the program. The bill amends the Health Care Facility Licensure Act to establish this 80% reimbursement benchmark as legislative intent, requiring the state agency to adjust payment rates accordingly. It does not create new funding but mandates a specific reimbursement standard for existing Medicaid-covered PACE services.
LB 1167 amends funding for Nebraska's Department of Economic Development's Industrial Recruitment program, specifying how $11 million in General Funds for fiscal year 2026-27 must be used. It directs this funding exclusively for state aid grants under the Business Innovation Act, with $3 million specifically allocated for microenterprise assistance grants. The bill also reappropriates unspent Cash Fund balances from the Site and Building Development Act and states legislative intent to allocate an additional $4.5 million in Cash Funds for future economic development efforts. This bill directly affects the Department of Economic Development and businesses receiving these targeted grants.
LB 968 appropriates $4 million from Nebraska's General Fund to the Military Department for emergency rescue equipment grants. Political subdivisions (like cities or counties) must prove they can assist in statewide rescue events to qualify for these grants. The funds must be used exclusively to purchase specific equipment, including water rescue gear, wide-area search tools for tornado/floods, structural collapse equipment, and hazardous materials response tools. This bill directly affects local emergency response entities eligible for these equipment grants.
This bill appropriates $500,000 from Nebraska's General Fund for fiscal year 2026-27 to the Military Department to support the Nebraska Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The funds specifically include $450,000 designated for state aid to nonprofit organizations seeking security upgrades, such as improved lighting, fencing, or alarm systems. The bill also limits total spending on salaries and per diems for program administration to $45,000 during the same fiscal period. It directly affects eligible Nebraska nonprofits by providing financial assistance for physical security enhancements, administered through the Military Department.
This bill amends Nebraska's Reading Improvement Act to clarify funding for evidence-based reading instruction. It specifies that $2 million annually from the Education Future Fund will be allocated for regional coaches and teacher training (for kindergarten through third grade) during fiscal year 2026-27, replacing prior language covering 2024-25 through 2029-30. The funding supports professional development for teachers in approved schools and early childhood programs. It directly affects schools, teachers, and the State Department of Education by mandating specific annual funding for literacy training programs. The change updates the appropriation timeline but does not alter the program's core requirements.
Nebraska bill LB 1217 allows public, private, denominational, and parochial schools to keep epinephrine (approved by the FDA) on hand for emergency use. The bill authorizes schools to administer epinephrine to students experiencing allergic reactions, directly affecting school staff and students with severe allergies. Schools must obtain authorization from the State Department of Education to maintain epinephrine in emergency first aid situations. This policy change simplifies access to life-saving treatment during allergic emergencies without requiring individual prescriptions for each student.
This bill changes Nebraska's liquor licensing rules to streamline approvals for retail stores, bottle clubs, craft breweries, and microdistilleries. It gives the Liquor Control Commission more authority to issue licenses even if local governments recommend denial, while requiring the commission to consider factors like neighborhood characteristics, existing license density, and population growth. The bill also limits local occupation taxes to twice the license fee and exempts Class J retail licensees from these taxes. These changes directly affect businesses seeking liquor licenses and local governments that previously held significant veto power over applications.
Nebraska's LB 725 clarifies and updates definitions and licensing requirements under the State Electrical Act. It redefines terms like "Class A master electrician," "Class B electrical contractor," and "residential installation" with specific technical details (e.g., voltage limits, building size restrictions). The bill modifies provisions for electrical licenses, fees, inspections, and directional boring practices to harmonize existing rules. It directly affects electricians, contractors, and inspectors who must comply with these updated licensing standards. The changes aim to modernize the regulatory framework without introducing new policy requirements.
LB 858 allocates $2.1 million annually from state General Funds to seven specific federally qualified community health centers in Nebraska (including Charles Drew Health Center and OneWorld Community Health Centers) for general services, with each center receiving $300,000. It also provides $1.4 million for dental services ($200,000 per center) and $750,000 from the Nebraska Health Care Cash Fund distributed proportionally based on each center's previous year's uninsured client count. An additional $500,000 from the Nebraska Health Care Cash Fund is allocated for FY2026-27 to expand services like behavioral health or dental care, with funding tied to the Uniform Data System Report. The bill directs these funds to increase health care access through existing or new services, locations, equipment, or capital projects at the seven centers.
This bill mandates that Nebraska's $462,480,546 appropriation for Medicaid nursing facility rates (Program No. 348) must be fully used in calculating annual rates for fiscal year 2026-27, including the inflation factor. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit two reports: one by August 1, 2026, detailing how the inflation factor was calculated, and another by December 31, 2026, identifying unobligated funds from prior nursing facility appropriations. The bill directly affects Medicaid nursing facilities and the state's Department of Health and Human Services by specifying how funds must be allocated and reported. It declares an emergency to take effect immediately upon approval.
