LB 374 creates a new Licensed Midwives Practice Act in Nebraska, replacing the outdated "Licensed Midwives Practical Nurse-Certified" designation with a dedicated midwifery licensing framework.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.
LB 282 allows K-12 teachers in Nebraska public, private, denominational, or parochial schools to seek up to $300 in reimbursement for school supplies they personally purchased. Teachers must submit receipts to the State Department of Education, which will administer the program based on policies developed by the State Board of Education. The bill requires the State Board to specify eligible supplies and establish application procedures, effective starting the 2025-26 school year. This directly affects teachers who cover out-of-pocket supply costs, providing a structured reimbursement process.
LB 413 amends Nebraska law governing how public power, irrigation, and combined power/irrigation districts set rates for electricity and water services. It requires districts to establish fair, reasonable rates that distribute operational benefits equitably among users. Key changes include limiting negotiated rates for large commercial/industrial customers (over 500 kW) to five years and mandating that such rates cover the actual cost of producing the electricity if tied to qualifying economic development projects. This directly affects power districts and their commercial/industrial customers with significant electrical loads.
Nebraska's LB 129 prohibits local governments (counties, cities, villages) from restricting the use of specific energy sources like natural gas, propane, renewable diesel, hydrogen, or electricity for electric vehicles. It directly affects energy providers - including natural gas utilities, propane retailers, and other energy marketers - by preventing local ordinances from blocking their services to authorized customers. The bill defines "energy source" broadly to include alternatives like renewable fuels and hydrogen, while exempting city-owned natural gas utilities and existing propane regulations. This law ensures local governments cannot interfere with how these providers deliver energy services, focusing on removing barriers to diverse energy options.
LB 163 creates a new Office of Climate Action within Nebraska's Department of Environment and Energy. The office will develop a statewide climate action plan by July 2026, focusing on reducing climate change causes and managing climate risks. It must report annually on state climate-related legislation, federal funding secured, technical assistance provided, and collaborations with local governments and climate groups. The office serves as a central resource to support climate initiatives across the state, providing education, technical help, and policy guidance to communities and organizations. This bill directly affects state agencies, local governments, and climate-focused organizations by establishing a dedicated state-level coordination point for climate action efforts.
LB 358 requires Nebraska's Department of Correctional Services to allow inmates to access their personal individual files upon written request to the facility director. The files include admission summaries, presentence reports, disciplinary records, parole plans, and other relevant case information. However, the bill specifically permits the department to withhold medical and mental health records at its discretion. This applies to all inmates in Nebraska state correctional facilities and amends Section 83-178 of Nebraska law.
LB 100 creates a new Office of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation within Nebraska's Department of Economic Development to support startups and small businesses. It requires state agencies to aim for 5% of contracts and workforce development funding to go to businesses under five years old, and encourages eliminating business license fees for new Nebraska-based businesses. The office must report annually on policy impacts and track progress toward these goals, with state agencies also required to report on their efforts. These provisions directly affect new businesses (under five years old) and state agencies managing contracts, workforce programs, and economic development funds.
