Nebraska Bills

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1229: Create the Rural Health Transformation Fund

LB 1229 creates a dedicated "Rural Health Transformation Fund" to hold federal funds from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Rural Health Transformation Program, authorized under federal law. The bill requires all applications for and expenditures of these federal funds to be electronically reported to the Legislature and posted publicly, including details on beneficiaries, outcomes, and metrics. It also prohibits using the fund to replace existing state rural health spending and mandates that applicants submit a sustainability plan before receiving funds. The bill strictly limits the fund's use to federal program-approved purposes only.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1187: Change provisions of the Livestock Brand Act

LB 1187 adjusts fees for physical and electronic inspections under Nebraska's Livestock Brand Act, directly affecting livestock owners, inspectors, and entities like banks or dairies that request inspections. It sets a physical inspection fee of $0.85 per head until June 30, 2023, then increases to a maximum of $1.10 per head starting July 1, 2023. Similarly, electronic inspections will cost $0.85 per head until June 30, 2023, then up to $1.10 per head. The bill eliminates a separate mileage charge and replaces it with a $30 surcharge to cover inspector travel costs, while removing outdated provisions.

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1258: Rename the Livestock Brand Act as the Livestock Protection Act, eliminate the Nebraska Brand Committee, and change, provide, and eliminate provisions relating to livestock branding and livestock protection

LB 1258 renames Nebraska's Livestock Brand Act to the Livestock Protection Act, eliminates the Nebraska Brand Committee, and transfers brand registration and inspection duties to the Department of Agriculture. It makes brand inspections voluntary statewide (previously mandatory in certain areas), removes requirements for mandatory branding in specific zones, and deletes outdated rules about registered feedlots and open markets. The bill also creates a new Division of Brand Registration, Brand Inspection, and Livestock Theft Investigation within the Agriculture Department. These changes primarily affect livestock producers who register brands and choose inspections, while shifting administrative responsibilities from the eliminated committee to state agencies.

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1034: Prohibit school staff from allowing federal immigration enforcement officers to access schools without a judicial warrant

Nebraska's LB 1034 prohibits school staff, contractors, and agents from allowing federal immigration enforcement officers access to school grounds or students for immigration enforcement purposes without a valid judicial warrant. The bill defines a "valid judicial warrant" as one issued by a judge or magistrate specifically authorizing the requested access, excluding immigration detainers or administrative documents. It explicitly allows schools to comply with valid judicial warrants, court orders, or respond to immediate threats to health or safety. This law directly affects all public K-12 schools in Nebraska and their employees by requiring federal immigration officers to obtain a court-issued warrant before entering school facilities for enforcement actions.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Immigration

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1238: Change the cigarette tax and distribution of such tax and change taxes imposed under the Tobacco Products Tax Act

Nebraska's LB 1238 increases the cigarette tax to 64 cents per package (for up to 20 cigarettes) and changes how the revenue is distributed. The tax applies to wholesale cigarette distributors, and the collected funds will be allocated as follows: 50% to the General Fund, 2% to Outdoor Recreation, 10% to Health Services, 26% to Building Renewal, 5% to Public Safety Communications, 6% to Health Care, and 1% to Capital Construction. These funding allocations take effect July 1, 2026, with specific minimums tied to historical fiscal years. The bill also harmonizes tax provisions under the Tobacco Products Tax Act and repeals prior sections.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1186: Adopt the Affordable American Energy and Jobs Act and change distribution provisions relating to the nameplate capacity tax

Nebraska's LB 1186 adopts the "Affordable American Energy and Jobs Act" to streamline development of wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, hydropower, and battery storage projects. It requires private energy developers to sign long-term power purchase agreements with public entities (like municipal utilities or power districts) for all energy generated, while prohibiting eminent domain over these projects. The bill mandates the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment to create non-binding "best practices" guidelines for siting projects, covering wildlife protection, agricultural land preservation, community benefits, and job creation for Nebraskans. Counties that adopt these guidelines become eligible for additional revenue from the nameplate capacity tax. The law focuses on balancing project development with community and environmental considerations through standardized planning criteria.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1131: Adopt the Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Service Providers Tax Credit Act and eliminate personal property tax and sales and use tax exemptions relating to data centers

LB 1131 creates a new tax credit program to support domestic violence and human trafficking service providers, distributing $5.7 million annually starting in 2027. This includes $480,000 for tribal programs, $300,000 for a statewide coalition, and $5.22 million based on population or service area size. The bill also eliminates existing tax exemptions for data centers, removing their personal property tax and sales tax exemptions. These changes directly affect nonprofit service providers and data center operators in Nebraska, with credits being refundable and transferable to other taxpayers.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1124: Increase the cigarette tax and state intent and change provisions relating to the distribution of cigarette tax proceeds

LB 1124 increases Nebraska's cigarette tax by $1.64 per pack (for ≤20 cigarettes) and redirects the majority of tax proceeds to specific state funds. It directs 97 cents per pack plus $1.25 million annually to the Nebraska Health Care Cash Fund for Medicaid programs, addressing smoking-related healthcare costs cited as exceeding $120 million yearly. The bill also allocates remaining funds to outdoor recreation, health services, building renewal, and public safety programs, while requiring the General Fund to receive the equivalent of 52.49 cents per pack. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, with Medicaid funding as the primary new focus.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1109: Eliminate certain sales and use tax exemptions and a renewable energy tax credit and change provisions relating to the Nebraska Advantage Research and Development Act and the ImagiNE Nebraska Act

LB 1109 eliminates specific sales and use tax exemptions (including those for energy-related items and certain nonprofit purchases) and removes a renewable energy tax credit. It modifies provisions under the Nebraska Advantage Research and Development Act regarding tax credits and updates the ImagiNE Nebraska Act. The bill repeals several existing tax sections (77-2701.54, 77-2704.57, etc.) and requires a revised tax expenditure report detailing revenue losses from exemptions. These changes directly affect businesses and organizations currently benefiting from the eliminated exemptions and credits.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1232: Provide for mountain lion hunting permits

Nebraska's LB 1232 amends hunting laws to include mountain lions in the existing limited permit system for landowners. It allows qualifying Nebraska landowners (or their immediate family) who own or lease at least 80 acres of agricultural land to apply for a limited permit to hunt mountain lions on their property. Permits would cost half the regular fee, and the commission would establish rules for application and land eligibility. The bill directly affects landowners seeking to manage mountain lions on their agricultural land, with no new general hunting opportunities created.

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1188: Update a federal reference in the Foreign-owned Real Estate National Security Act and prohibit ownership of real estate in adversary nations by the state and any political subdivision thereof

LB 1188 updates Nebraska's Foreign-owned Real Estate National Security Act by adding a new provision prohibiting the State of Nebraska and all local governments (counties, cities, etc.) from owning real estate in "adversary nations" as defined in state law. It amends existing sections to clarify that state entities cannot acquire property in countries designated as adversaries under Nebraska law, while maintaining existing restrictions on foreign individuals and corporations purchasing real estate in Nebraska. The bill does not change current rules for private foreign buyers but explicitly extends the prohibition to state-owned property holdings. It updates a federal reference in the law and repeals the original sections it amends.

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1172: Provide requirements for electric suppliers relating to dispatchable electricity capacity

LB 1172 requires Nebraska's electric suppliers (including public power districts, cooperatives, and municipalities with power systems) to maintain at least 75% of their electricity capacity from "dispatchable" sources - electricity that can be quickly supplied on demand, like gas plants, rather than weather-dependent sources. Suppliers must annually certify compliance with this rule to the Nebraska Power Review Board and submit a compliance plan within 60 days if they fall short. The bill defines key terms like "dispatchable electricity" and "capacity" to clarify the requirement, while protecting related communications as confidential until a facility closure decision is publicly announced. It does not apply to closures decided before April 2024.

Topics ✗ Energy

Bill results