This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to remove Nebraska's current constitutional language regarding marriage and marriage licenses (Article I, section 29). If approved by voters in November 2026, it would eliminate the existing constitutional provisions that define marriage recognition and marriage licenses within the state. The amendment would require voter approval through a statewide ballot measure, as specified in Nebraska's Constitution. This change would directly affect how marriage is constitutionally recognized in Nebraska, replacing the current language with no new provisions.
LB 16 establishes Nebraska's first regulatory framework for consumable hemp products, requiring retailers to obtain licenses and follow specific rules for sales. It defines consumable hemp products as those intended for inhalation or ingestion (excluding topical products and certain seeds regulated by the FDA), creates a Hemp Control Commission under the existing Liquor Control Commission, and sets licensing procedures. This bill directly affects businesses selling hemp products for consumer use (not resale) and the commission overseeing enforcement. The law aims to regulate these products for public safety while generating tax revenue through excise taxes on consumable hemp sales.
Nebraska's LB 165 authorizes municipalities and counties to establish syringe services programs (SSPs) through local ordinances, allowing them to provide sterile syringes, safe disposal, overdose prevention resources, and referrals to health services for individuals aged 18+ who inject drugs. The bill requires SSPs to avoid locations within 500 feet of schools, childcare facilities, or public recreation centers and mandates specific services like naloxone access and substance use disorder referrals. It amends state law to exempt SSP staff and participants from drug paraphernalia penalties when handling syringes or needles as part of the program, while repealing prior sections of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. This legislation directly affects public health programs, participants, and law enforcement by creating a legal framework for harm reduction services.
Nebraska's LB 431 would add kratom to the state's list of controlled substances under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. This amendment would define kratom as a controlled substance in Section 28-401, prohibiting its possession, sale, or distribution within Nebraska. The bill directly affects residents who currently use or sell kratom, as it would make these activities illegal under state law. The key mechanism is amending the legal definition of "controlled substance" to explicitly include kratom, aligning it with other prohibited substances under Nebraska's drug regulations.
LB 92, the Residential Tenant Clean Slate Act, allows tenants to have certain eviction records sealed from public view under specific conditions. It directly affects tenants who were evicted for reasons like nonpayment during the 2020-2021 pandemic emergency, wrongful eviction, or if their case was dismissed or reversed. Key provisions require courts to automatically seal records upon dismissal of an eviction case, and allow tenants to petition for sealing if they meet criteria like a reversed judgment or a minor defendant. Once sealed, landlords cannot consider the eviction in housing applications, and tenants can deny the incident occurred in job or housing screenings. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, applying to all eviction cases regardless of when they occurred.
Nebraska bill LB 121 prohibits landfills from accepting solar panels, wind turbine blades, and their component parts. This amendment to the state's solid waste management law adds these renewable energy components to the list of materials already banned from landfill disposal, alongside items like tires, lead-acid batteries, and appliances. The bill directly affects waste management facilities, solar energy companies, and wind farm operators by requiring alternative disposal methods for these items. It does not specify new disposal requirements but mandates that these materials cannot be landfilled, aligning with broader waste management regulations. The bill is currently pending in the Natural Resources Committee.
LB 101 amends Nebraska's landlord-tenant law to guarantee tenants the right to a jury trial in eviction cases. It prohibits landlords from including rental agreement clauses that waive tenants' legal rights (including jury trial rights) or require tenants to pay landlord attorney fees. The bill requires courts to inform defendants of their jury trial option at first appearance and mandates that eviction cases seeking possession be scheduled for trial within 10-14 days if tried without a jury. This directly affects tenants facing eviction and landlords initiating eviction proceedings under Nebraska's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
This bill amends Nebraska's newborn screening law to explicitly allow parents or guardians to object to screening for specified metabolic disorders. It affects parents who wish to decline the standard screening tests for conditions like phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism, and others listed in the law. The key change adds a provision stating that screening is not required if a parent or guardian objects, while maintaining the existing list of screened conditions. This exemption applies to all diseases currently mandated under the law, removing the legal requirement for screening when objections are raised.
LB 87 creates a statewide program administered by Nebraska's Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired to support deaf-blind residents in achieving greater independence. The program must provide specific services including assistance with daily living (like transportation and mail handling), access to environmental information, human guide services, and help facilitating conversations. The bill requires the commission to develop this program using transferred resources from a prior division and allocates $100,000 for each of the next two fiscal years to fund it. This directly affects deaf-blind Nebraskans by establishing a structured support system to help them transition toward independent living and community participation.
Nebraska's LB 432 adds nitrogen hypoxia (inhalation of pure nitrogen gas) as an alternative method for carrying out the death penalty, alongside lethal injection. The bill requires the Department of Correctional Services to develop a written protocol for both methods, including equipment selection, team training, and procedures to ensure the condemned person is unconscious before administering substances. It also clarifies that execution-related activities - such as obtaining substances or administering nitrogen - do not violate medical licensing laws or the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, and protects execution team members from professional disciplinary action. This bill directly affects individuals sentenced to death in Nebraska and the state's correctional system, not the eligibility for the death penalty itself.
LB 94 adopts the Digital Skills Empowerment Act to expand digital skills training in Nebraska's underserved communities. It directly affects residents in qualified census tracts (including North Omaha) and returning prisoners by providing grants for training centers ($20M/year) and covering costs like tuition and childcare for low-income individuals ($20M/year). The bill establishes standardized curricula, partnerships with tech companies, and paid apprenticeships ($10M/year) to develop job skills in fields like web development and cybersecurity. Key provisions require training centers to offer virtual/in-person options and ensure industry-aligned programs to increase local employment opportunities.
This bill removes nonalcoholic beer from the Nebraska Liquor Control Act's regulatory scope. It amends definitions to explicitly exclude nonalcoholic beer (defined as containing less than 0.5% alcohol by volume) from the terms "alcoholic liquor" and "beer," meaning it will no longer require liquor licenses or be subject to liquor-specific regulations. This change directly affects nonalcoholic beer producers, retailers, and distributors who previously navigated liquor control requirements for these products. The bill harmonizes existing definitions and repeals outdated sections related to this classification.
