Nebraska Bills

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 612: Require the state to pay fifty percent of the operational costs of county courts

This bill requires the state of Nebraska to cover 50% of specific operational costs for county courts, directly affecting county courts and their budgets. It specifies that the state must pay for 50% of expenses related to computer hardware/software for data/word processing, communication lines for those systems, and recording equipment used in court proceedings. Counties will no longer bear these costs for the listed items, though they remain responsible for all other court expenses. The bill repeals the previous version of the statute governing these costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 657: Create the offense of assault on a sports official and provide a penalty under the Nebraska Criminal Code

LB 657 creates a new felony offense for intentionally causing physical harm to a sports official during or immediately before/after an organized athletic event. It directly affects referees, umpires, and similar officials at all levels of organized sports (school, college, amateur, or professional) in Nebraska. The bill makes it a Class IV felony to assault such an official when the perpetrator knows or should know the victim's role, covering incidents occurring during games or right around them. This establishes specific criminal penalties for violence targeting sports officials, separate from general assault laws.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 216: Eliminate elected clerks of the district court, provide for consolidation of duties of court clerks and clerk magistrates, and change certain county employees to state employees

Nebraska's LB 216 eliminates elected clerks of the district court, transferring their duties to clerk magistrates starting January 1, 2026. County employees currently handling district court functions become state employees under the Supreme Court by January 7, 2027, with no loss of income, benefits, or accrued leave. The bill requires judicial districts to develop consolidation plans for office space, duties, and personnel, approved by the Supreme Court. It also protects retirement benefits by ensuring no loss of accrued benefits and sharing additional transition costs between counties and the state.

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 387: Redefine a term under the Nebraska Treatment and Corrections Act

Nebraska bill LB 387 redefines "solitary confinement" in the state's Correctional Services Act to specifically mean "confinement in an individual cell having solid, soundproof doors that deprives an inmate of all visual and auditory contact with others." This change directly affects Nebraska correctional facilities and inmates held in restrictive housing, as it establishes a clear legal definition for this practice. The bill amends section 83-170 of the law by adding this definition and repealing the previous version. This is a technical clarification of terminology, not a new policy or funding change.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 685: Require schools to install a secure master key box as prescribed, provide powers and duties to the state school security director, change provisions relating to a grant program for security-related infrastructure projects and the School Safety and Security Fund, and provide for a transfer from the Cash Reserve Fund

LB 685 requires all Nebraska public, private, denominational, and parochial schools to install an exterior secure key box meeting Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1037 at each school building for emergency law enforcement access. It creates a State School Security Director with new duties, including overseeing key box installations, assessing school security, and identifying deficiencies. The bill also establishes a grant program funded by the School Safety and Security Fund to help schools purchase security infrastructure like key boxes, surveillance systems, and secure doors. These changes apply directly to all approved or accredited schools in Nebraska, with $10 million intended for the grant program.

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 520: Provide requirements for bed and breakfast establishments regarding food, beverages, and fire safety

LB 520 sets new safety and food standards for Nebraska bed and breakfast establishments (B&Bs), directly affecting small operators who run their homes as lodging. It defines B&Bs as single-family dwellings with max 10 rooms or 20 guests, requiring them to follow strict food safety rules: using only pasteurized milk, prohibiting home-canned food (except jams/jellies), maintaining specific food temperatures, and mandating food handler certification. The bill also requires B&Bs to comply with the State Fire Code, including exit safety and fire prevention measures. These changes apply to all B&Bs operating under the defined limits, replacing previous exemptions under the Nebraska Pure Food Act.

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 517: Provide requirements for the state school security director regarding protective door assemblies and other school entry systems

LB 517 requires Nebraska school districts to provide the state school security director with annual inspection reports for protective door assemblies (including panic hardware, electronically controlled egress doors, and delayed egress systems), door-locking systems, and double-entry doors in school buildings. This affects all public school districts in Nebraska, mandating they submit specific security information to the state director annually. The bill defines "protective door assemblies" to cover key entry systems and adds this reporting requirement to the director's existing duties. It repeals the previous version of the statute to implement these changes.

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 631: State intent relating to funding for the School Emergency Response Mapping Fund

Nebraska's LB 631 creates the School Emergency Response Mapping Fund to support school emergency planning. The bill directs $4.525 million from the General Fund for fiscal year 2024-25 to be administered by the State Department of Education for grants that help schools implement mapping data systems. It replaces previous funding language in state law and declares an emergency to expedite the funding transfer. This policy change specifically provides dedicated state funding for school safety mapping initiatives, directly affecting school districts eligible for these grants.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 611: Adopt updates to building and energy codes

LB 611 updates Nebraska's building and energy codes by adopting the 2021 editions of the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC), replacing older versions. It requires all cities, counties, and villages to adopt these updated codes within two years or default to the state code for construction, with exceptions for farm-related projects. The bill also mandates new state buildings meet the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code. These changes directly affect local governments, builders, and developers across Nebraska.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 447: Provide certain requirements for redevelopment contracts under the Community Development Law

LB 447 amends Nebraska's Community Development Law to require specific wage standards and apprentice utilization for certain redevelopment contracts. It directly affects community redevelopment authorities and developers working on projects in designated "blighted" or "enhanced employment" areas. The bill mandates that contracts for these projects must include provisions for paying prevailing wages and using apprentices in construction roles. These requirements apply to redevelopment contracts entered into under the Community Development Law, impacting how such projects are structured and implemented. The changes focus on ensuring fair compensation and workforce development within approved redevelopment initiatives.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 429: Provide requirements and restrictions for school boards relating to professional employees’ organizations

LB 429 requires Nebraska school boards to provide equal access to school employees' mailboxes, meetings, and posting spaces for all professional employees' organizations (like teacher unions or professional development groups). It mandates that if one organization is allowed to recruit at employee events, display information, or post materials in school spaces, all similar organizations must receive the same access. The bill also prohibits school boards from naming school calendar days or breaks after any professional employees' organization. This applies to all school employees, including teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals, and aims to ensure fair treatment among competing professional groups.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 117: Provide a sales and use tax exemption for electricity, natural gas, propane, and sewer utilities

LB 117 exempts residential users from Nebraska's sales and use tax on electricity, natural gas, propane, and sewer utilities. It directly affects homeowners and renters in apartments or commercial properties primarily used as residences, where utilities are billed separately from rent. The bill amends tax code section 77-2704.13 to exclude these utility services from taxation when used for qualifying residential purposes. The exemption takes effect January 1, 2026, and repeals the previous tax treatment for these utilities. This is a direct tax policy change for residential utility consumers, not a procedural measure.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

Bill results