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.
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.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to establish a nonpartisan Commission on Redistricting in Nebraska, replacing the Legislature's current role in drawing district boundaries for federal and state offices. The commission, composed of nine members (three each from Nebraska's two largest political parties and three unaffiliated voters), will be selected through a random process from a public pool of eligible applicants who meet strict nonpartisan criteria. The commission must follow specific rules when drawing districts - prioritizing federal law, population equality, contiguous areas, and avoiding racial discrimination - while explicitly prohibiting consideration of political party affiliation or voting history. It will hold public meetings in each congressional district, provide advance access to draft maps, and require written explanations for boundary decisions before submitting final maps to the Legislature for approval.
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.
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.
LB 1245 assigns dedicated parking spots at the 1331 K Street parking garage for all Nebraska Legislature members, Supreme Court judges, and Court of Appeals judges, effective July 1, 2026. The bill amends existing statutes to establish this requirement and repeals the previous sections governing parking for these officials, ensuring consistent assignment through the Department of Administrative Services. This is a procedural change focused on administrative logistics, not policy substance.
This bill (LB 1179) updates committee names and references in Nebraska statutes to reflect a restructuring of legislative committees. It changes references to the Agriculture Committee, Natural Resources Committee, and Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, and adds a new reference to the "Telecommunications and Technology Committee." The bill does not alter policy content or create new requirements; it only updates statutory language to match the renamed and merged committee structure. This affects legislative staff, committee members, and any references to these committees in existing laws.
LB 1049 requires the Legislative Fiscal Analyst to prepare economic impact reports for any new law that would lead state agencies to adopt, amend, or withdraw regulations. These reports must include a detailed cost-benefit analysis covering estimated costs for businesses, benefits to society, affected entities, and other specific factors like compliance costs and impacts on property development. The bill also mandates the Secretary of State to provide an annual report listing all new and amended state rules and regulations. This affects state agencies (which must provide data for the reports) and the Legislature (which uses the reports to evaluate proposed regulatory changes).
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.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Nebraska voters to approve any legislative change to laws enacted through citizen initiatives. Currently, the Legislature can modify such laws with a two-thirds vote, but this amendment would mandate that any proposed change must be submitted to voters at the next general election. If approved by voters, the change takes effect; if rejected, the original initiative law remains in place. This directly affects how the Legislature can alter laws created by public petitions and gives voters final authority over those changes.
LB 917 changes how the University of Nebraska can sell property. It removes the requirement that the Board of Regents must get legislative approval to sell land with buildings valued over $1 million, which was previously needed alongside a majority board vote. Now, the Board only needs a majority vote at a public meeting to approve such sales. This directly affects the University of Nebraska's Board of Regents, giving them more autonomy in property decisions. The bill repeals the old rule and updates the statute to reflect this change.
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.
