Nebraska Bills

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1213: Adopt the Case Management Licensure Act

This bill requires all individuals working in Nebraska's child welfare system - including social workers, investigators, and supervisors - to obtain and maintain a state license for case management. The Foster Care Review Office will oversee licensing, handle complaints about misconduct (like falsifying records), and impose disciplinary actions such as license suspension or revocation for violations. It aims to improve child welfare outcomes by promoting professionalism, reducing inefficiencies that risk federal funding, and ensuring accountability in investigations and foster care placements.

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1143: Change provisions relating to nursing facility rates and establish a money follows the person program under the Medical Assistance Act

Nebraska bill LB 1143 changes how Medicaid funds are used for nursing facility care by requiring rates to be based on actual client usage and service needs, rather than fixed amounts. It mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services submit a federal application to establish a "Money Follows the Person" program by December 2026. This program would help Medicaid recipients transition from nursing homes to community-based care while maintaining their long-term care coverage. The bill directly affects Nebraska residents in nursing facilities and those eligible for community-based services under Medicaid.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1189: Create a pilot program to raise awareness of the earned income tax credit

LB 1189 creates a pilot program to help low-income Nebraskans access the existing Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by increasing awareness and assistance. The Nebraska Department of Revenue will distribute $250,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations (like tax preparation services, legal aid, and health agencies) that serve low-income residents, funding outreach, education, and application help. Grants must be awarded by October 1, 2026, and the program requires an evaluation report by December 2027 detailing outreach efforts, participants served, and recommendations for future use. This directly affects eligible low-income Nebraskans who qualify for the EITC but may not claim it due to lack of awareness. The bill does not change the EITC itself but aims to improve access to the existing benefit.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1153: Change provisions relating to recovery under the Consumer Protection Act, provide a termination date for the State Settlement Cash Fund and for distribution of money in the fund, and change provisions relating to the State Settlement Trust Fund

LB 1153 amends Nebraska's Consumer Protection Act to change how money recovered from consumer cases is handled. It sets a termination date of July 1, 2026, for the current State Settlement Cash Fund and redirects 96% of future recoveries to common schools (per Nebraska Constitution), while distributing 1% each to four specific funds: Legal Education, Financial Literacy, University of Nebraska tenant assistance, and UNMC pediatric cancer research. The bill also clarifies that funds held in trust for specific beneficiaries (e.g., individuals or organizations) are excluded from this distribution. This policy change directly affects how the state allocates civil damages recovered under the Consumer Protection Act.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LR 312CA: Constitutional amendment to authorize cities and villages to incur indebtedness for residential development projects and pledge taxes for such indebtedness and to change provisions relating to redevelopment projects

This constitutional amendment (LR 312CA) would allow Nebraska cities and villages to borrow money for residential development or redevelopment projects in designated blighted areas. It permits municipalities to issue bonds or loans without being restricted by existing charters and to pledge excess property taxes from the project area (above pre-development values) to repay the debt. The tax pledges would last up to 15 years for residential projects or 20 years for redevelopment (potentially extended under specific high-unemployment/poverty conditions). The amendment requires voter approval at the November 2026 general election and would change existing constitutional provisions governing such projects.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1202: Change provisions relating to ignition interlock devices and ignition interlock permits

LB 1202 updates Nebraska's rules for ignition interlock permits, which are devices that prevent vehicles from starting if alcohol is detected. It directly affects drivers convicted of certain traffic offenses (like DUI) who are required to use these devices. The bill clarifies the permit application process: applicants must submit a court order, proof of device installation, and pay a fee, and permits are only valid for non-commercial vehicles. It also specifies that drivers on probation for qualifying offenses won’t receive license points if they have the device installed, but will if they fail to comply.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1193: Provide regulation of and requirements for energy storage resources and change provisions relating to property tax exemptions and the nameplate capacity tax

Nebraska's LB 1193 establishes regulatory requirements for energy storage resources and modifies tax treatment for renewable energy infrastructure. The bill changes property tax exemptions by designating funds from the nameplate capacity tax (levied under section 77-6203) as "non-restricted" for the first five years after an energy storage facility or renewable generation facility begins operation. This policy directly affects energy storage facility operators and local governments managing tax revenues, as it allows communities to use these tax funds more flexibly for general purposes rather than restricted uses. The bill also harmonizes related provisions across multiple statutes to create a consistent regulatory framework for energy storage resources.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 927: Change provisions relating to the involvement of foreign nationals with funding and organization of ballot question committees

Nebraska's LB 927 amends disclosure rules for ballot question committees to restrict foreign influence. It requires these committees to certify in their campaign filings that no foreign nationals funded preliminary activities (like polling or drafting language) and that they haven’t received over $100,000 in contributions from foreign nationals within the past four years. The bill targets foreign individuals, organizations, governments, or political parties seeking to influence state ballot measures through funding. This applies directly to groups organizing or supporting statewide ballot initiatives, adding verification steps to financial disclosures. The changes align with Nebraska’s Political Accountability and Disclosure Act to strengthen transparency around foreign contributions to ballot campaigns.

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1190: Change authorized use of funds appropriated to the Department of Economic Development

This bill reduces funding for Nebraska's Department of Economic Development by approximately $16 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year. It eliminates $250,000 in cash funds for a prefabricated housing study (ending after FY2025) and removes $1 million in general funds for a specific grant program. However, it maintains $700,000 for rural development districts and $4.88 million for mentorship programs supporting elementary students' reading and professional growth. The changes redirect funds within the department's budget without altering core program allocations.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✗ Housing

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1218: Change provisions of the County Bridge Match Program and provide for a transfer of funds from the Roads Operations Cash Fund

This bill amends Nebraska's County Bridge Match Program to require annual transfers of $4 million from the Roads Operations Cash Fund to the Transportation Infrastructure Bank Fund specifically for bridge repairs. It establishes that counties can voluntarily participate in the program to accelerate repairs of deficient county bridges, with the working group required to award at least $4 million each year. The program is set to end on June 30, 2029, and the bill eliminates outdated provisions related to fund management. Counties with deficient bridges on their road systems are the primary direct beneficiaries of this funding mechanism.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 997: Change provisions relating to emergency contracts in the State Procurement Act

This bill amends Nebraska's State Procurement Act to change how emergency contracts over $50,000 are handled. It requires state agencies to get approval from their own director (or designee) for emergency contracts instead of needing preapproval from the division. The key new requirement is that agencies must provide copies of the contract and emergency justification to the Director of Administrative Services and Auditor of Public Accounts within three business days of approval. This affects all Nebraska state agencies making emergency purchases above $50,000, adding a standardized reporting step to the process.

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 898: Change which political subdivisions may use virtual conferencing for meetings under the Open Meetings Act and change related requirements

This bill changes Nebraska's Open Meetings Act to modify when local government bodies can hold meetings virtually. It requires applicants for electric generation facilities over 10 megawatts to hold at least one public meeting with advanced notice, where at least 50% of the governing body must attend (either in person or via videoconference, with at least one member physically present), and real property owners must have a chance to comment. The bill exempts privately developed renewable energy facilities from these meeting requirements if they comply with separate provisions (Section 70-1014.02) by notifying the board 30 days before construction begins. These changes apply specifically to electric utility projects and do not affect other types of public meetings.

Bill results