This constitutional amendment (LR 317CA) would limit annual property tax increases by Nebraska's local governments (cities, counties, etc.) starting in 2027. It allows each local government to raise taxes by no more than 2% plus the percentage increase in its total property values from the previous year (based on new construction, annexations, or other value changes). If voters approve it in 2026, local governments would be restricted from exceeding this "allowable growth" limit each year. The amendment requires voter approval and would take effect January 1, 2027.
Nebraska's LB 1219 limits annual property tax increases for local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) starting in 2027. It replaces previous tax growth rules by capping yearly increases at 2% plus the area's real property value growth rate. The "real growth percentage" is calculated based on new construction, annexations, or other value changes to properties, ensuring tax hikes align with actual property value growth. This bill directly affects all local taxing entities by restricting how much they can raise property taxes each year.
LB 1192 amends the Convention Center Facility Financing Assistance Act to clarify how "associated hotels" and "nearby retailers" are defined when facilities are within 600 yards of the State Capitol in Lincoln. The key change allows applicants to select contiguous or noncontiguous areas within their jurisdiction that match the required square footage (instead of measuring strictly from the facility perimeter), making it easier to include nearby businesses in financing eligibility. This directly affects convention center projects seeking state assistance near the Capitol, streamlining administrative requirements for measuring proximity.
This bill would impose a 27-cent fee on every retail delivery of taxable tangible personal property (like online purchases delivered by vehicle) in Nebraska. Sellers would collect the fee from customers and remit it to the state Department of Revenue, which would credit the funds to the Property Tax Credit Cash Fund. The fee does not apply to exempt items, tax-exempt entities, new businesses (in their first year), or businesses with less than $500,000 in prior-year retail sales. It becomes effective January 1, 2027.
Nebraska's LB 1197 amends rules for limited landowner hunting permits, primarily affecting landowners with qualifying agricultural property. It sets specific acreage thresholds: Nebraska residents with 80+ acres of farm/ranch land (or family members) can apply for deer, antelope, or turkey permits at half the regular fee, while non-residents need 320+ acres. The bill adds a new provision allowing up to eight special deer permits per landowner for the three days before the main season, with a $5 fee and limits of six permits for those under 19 and two for 19+ years. It also clarifies permit eligibility for partnerships, corporations, and trusts owning qualifying land, while maintaining existing rules for family definitions and species-specific allocations.
This bill prohibits private owners from shutting down, retiring, closing, or altering operations of certain privately developed renewable energy facilities, specifically those using solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, landfill gas, or biogas. It directly affects private electric suppliers who operate these facilities, such as standalone solar or wind power plants not owned by public entities like municipalities or cooperatives. The law requires these facilities to maintain operations without authorization changes, amending existing energy regulations to enforce this prohibition. It does not apply to facilities owned by public power districts or government entities.
LB 745 changes Nebraska's high school equivalency diploma requirements by removing a 30-day Nebraska residency requirement for applicants. It directly affects residents seeking a high school equivalency diploma who previously needed to prove 30 days of residency before applying. The bill keeps other key requirements intact, including passing approved tests, meeting educational standards equivalent to a high school graduate, being at least 18 years old, and being unable to obtain a diploma from their last school or having left more than a year ago. The amendment updates the state law to streamline access while maintaining academic standards for the diploma.
LB 940 prohibits Nebraska public elementary and secondary schools from serving school meals containing six specific artificial color additives (Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, and Yellow No. 6) starting August 1, 2026. The bill applies only to meals served under federal school lunch programs (as defined by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and Child Nutrition Act of 1966) and does not cover other food items offered to students. It bases the banned additives on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's list as of January 1, 2026, using federal definitions for "color additive" and "school meal." The policy change directly affects school meal providers and students receiving these meals in Nebraska.
LB 1261 prohibits Nebraska consumer-owned utilities (like public power districts and cooperatives) from using eminent domain to acquire privately owned electric generation facilities serving large industrial customers. It specifically applies to facilities over 1,000 megawatts that are co-located with the industrial site, have grid interconnection approval, and operate under long-term contracts with the utility. These contracts must include a waiver of eminent domain rights, prohibit resale of electricity, and require the industrial customer to cover all related utility costs. The bill repeals a previous law that allowed such acquisitions, focusing on protecting private industrial energy projects under defined conditions.
LB 1022 would eliminate the human relations training requirement for educators seeking teaching certificates, special services permits, or administrative credentials in Nebraska schools. Currently, applicants must complete training covering topics like recognizing biases, promoting inclusivity, and understanding diverse cultures. The bill amends state education laws (sections 79-807, 79-808, and others) to remove this requirement and the associated definition of "human relations training." This directly affects educators pursuing or renewing their certification under Nebraska's current system.
LB 1027 eliminates specific exemptions that previously allowed privately developed renewable energy facilities to avoid certain construction approvals under Nebraska law. The bill removes exemptions for facilities replacing older plants (under 25,000 kW), those within municipal service areas, and military-proximity rules. As a result, private renewable energy developers will now need standard board approval for new facilities, aligning their requirements with other electric generation projects. This change applies directly to companies building solar, wind, or other privately owned renewable energy facilities in Nebraska.
LB 1228 establishes new state docket fees for court filings in Nebraska: $116 for civil cases in district court, $111 for dissolution cases, $61 for traffic offenses, and $38 for small claims. The fees fund two new court-specific accounts: $10 from each fee goes to the JUSTICE Software Cash Fund (for court software costs), and the remainder funds the Supreme Court Operations Cash Fund (to support court administrative operations). The bill also clarifies that counties, cities, or villages are not liable for uncollectible fees, directing uncollectible costs to local general funds instead. These changes harmonize existing court fee provisions under Nebraska law.
