LB 324 amends Nebraska's Business Improvement District Act to update protest procedures for creating or modifying business improvement districts (BIDs). It requires city councils to rule on written protests received before a hearing ends, and sets new thresholds: if over 50% of affected property owners (for special assessments) or business space users (for occupation taxes) protest in writing before the hearing, proceedings terminate if less than 50% vote in favor. The bill directly affects property owners and businesses within proposed or modified BID areas by changing how protests halt the process. It replaces existing protest rules in sections 19-4027, 19-4029.01, and 19-4029.04 with these clearer, threshold-based procedures.
LB 670 requires all Nebraska public school districts and nonpublic schools to adopt annual safety plans covering fire, tornado, and vehicle evacuation drills. It also changes training requirements for child care providers, teachers, and school staff, mandating at least four hours of annual training focused on child safety, health, and emergency response. The bill updates the Nebraska Early Childhood Professional Record System to track staff training and clarifies the State School Security Director’s role in supporting school safety planning and assessments. These changes directly affect schools, child care programs, and their staff by establishing standardized safety protocols and training obligations.
LB 291 creates a new state grant program called the Aid to Municipalities Act, providing cities and villages with funds to finance eligible infrastructure projects. Municipalities can apply for grants (capped at $5 million each) through the Department of Economic Development to cover construction, acquisition, or bond payments for projects like water systems, wastewater treatment, airports, convention centers, and transportation facilities (excluding public roads). The state will appropriate $15 million annually into a dedicated fund for these grants, requiring separate accounting to ensure funds are used solely for approved infrastructure. This bill directly affects Nebraska municipalities by offering new state financial support for critical local infrastructure development.
LB 375 creates a grant program to help Nebraska grocery stores in smaller communities expand access to nutritious food. It provides funding for specific "new investments" like technology upgrades, transitioning to cooperative business models, or improving supply chains, primarily targeting stores in towns under 40,000 residents or Nebraska’s 90 least-populated counties. To qualify, stores must meet eligibility criteria including demonstrating community need, having a self-sustaining plan, and committing to match at least half the project cost. Grants must be spent within three years, and the program requires annual reporting on funded projects and outcomes.
LB 132 modifies Nebraska's Rules of the Road (section 60-6,273) to change how evidence about not wearing seatbelts is used in civil lawsuits. It prohibits courts from considering whether a person was not wearing an occupant protection system or three-point safety belt when determining liability or cause in injury cases. However, such evidence may be used to reduce damage awards for failure to mitigate harm, but only by up to 5%. This directly affects individuals involved in civil litigation following vehicle accidents where seatbelt use is disputed.
LB 489 prohibits private companies (not government-run utilities) from operating, maintaining, constructing, or acquiring transmission lines or related facilities carrying more than 700 volts in Nebraska. It specifically exempts public power districts, municipalities, electric cooperatives, and other government entities that already provide electric service. The bill amends Nebraska law to remove approval requirements for these exempt entities while banning non-exempt private entities from such infrastructure projects. It repeals the previous version of Section 70-1012 to implement this restriction. This change directly affects private energy companies seeking to build or manage transmission infrastructure within the state.
LB 374 creates a new Licensed Midwives Practice Act in Nebraska, replacing the outdated "Licensed Midwives Practical Nurse-Certified" designation with a dedicated midwifery licensing framework. The bill adds "professional midwifery" to the list of regulated professions under Nebraska's Uniform Credentialing Act, establishing specific standards for midwife licensure, practice, and background checks. It directly affects midwives seeking or renewing licenses in Nebraska by requiring them to meet the new practice act's requirements instead of the previous, less specific rules. The bill harmonizes midwifery regulation with other healthcare professions and repeals the prior sections governing midwifery practice.
LB 205 sets new rules for medical expense evidence in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. It requires plaintiffs to disclose "letters of protection" (agreements where providers get paid from settlements) and limits admissible evidence to actual payments or Medicare/medicaid rates for medical costs. The bill also caps noneconomic damages in cases against commercial motor vehicle carriers. These changes directly affect injury victims, healthcare providers, and trucking companies in civil litigation.
This bill requires licensed child care and early education programs (including for-profit, nonprofit, Head Start, and Early Head Start programs) to implement emergency safety plans and notification systems similar to those in schools. It creates a state fund to provide competitive grants to local agencies for emergency notification systems, safety training, and materials to support safe reunification of children during emergencies. The grants, capped at $1,000 annually per agency service, will help programs prepare for threats like fires, intruders, or weather events. The State Department of Education must report annually on grant usage and program participation without disclosing specific child care facility details.
LB 115 increases the income tax credit for volunteer emergency responders in Nebraska from its previous amount to $1,250 per year. It directly affects volunteer firefighters, emergency responders, and rescue squad members who are certified as active for the prior year. The bill changes qualification rules by requiring departments to submit certified lists of eligible volunteers to the state by February 15 each year, and volunteers claim the credit on their state tax returns using certification documents. The amendment replaces the previous credit amount and procedures under the Volunteer Emergency Responders Incentive Act.
LB 337 amends Nebraska state laws to clarify and update regulations for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility-type vehicles (UTVs). It authorizes county governments to create local rules governing where and how these vehicles operate, including on certain public highways. The bill defines specific size, weight, and tire requirements for ATVs and UTVs, changes registration processes and fees under the Motor Vehicle Registration Act, and updates safety standards to align with current Nebraska traffic rules. These changes directly affect county officials, ATV/UTV owners, and operators who use these vehicles on public roads outside city limits.
Nebraska bill LB 223 amends the state's Fair Housing Act to prohibit housing discrimination based on a person's lawful source of income. It specifically protects tenants and buyers who receive government assistance like Social Security, child support, housing vouchers (e.g., Section 8), or public housing benefits. The bill adds "lawful source of income" to existing protected categories (such as race or disability) under Section 20-318, making it illegal for landlords to refuse housing or impose different terms solely because of these income sources. This change directly affects housing providers and renters relying on public assistance programs.
