Nebraska Bills

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 591: Change provisions relating to when licenses are required and provide powers to certain licensees relating to affiliates under the Nebraska Installment Loan Act

LB 591 amends Nebraska's Installment Loan Act to simplify licensing for lenders and their related companies (affiliates). It removes the need for separate licenses when affiliates only pool loans for sale (securitization) and the original lender retains servicing rights. The bill also allows a licensee controlling 50%+ of an affiliate to apply for licenses and handle compliance (like reporting and audits) on the affiliate’s behalf. These changes apply directly to lenders, their subsidiaries, and entities involved in loan servicing or securitization under the Act. The bill repeals outdated sections to align with these updated requirements.

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

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

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 585: Change provisions relating to distribution of aid under the Community-based Juvenile Services Aid Program

Nebraska's LB 585 amends how state funds are distributed through the Community-based Juvenile Services Aid Program. It requires 10% of annual General Fund appropriations to be set aside: 5% for a centralized data collection system managed by the commission (to track program effectiveness and recidivism) and 5% for the University of Nebraska at Omaha to evaluate the program. Another 10% must be allocated to small community organizations ($1 million annual budget max) in designated census tracts that prevent juvenile crime before justice system involvement. The remaining funds are distributed based on county youth population statistics and prioritized for programs diverting juveniles from detention, reducing out-of-home placements, and supporting family services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 710: Increase the earned income tax credit

LB 710 increases Nebraska's earned income tax credit (EITC) for low- and moderate-income residents who qualify for the federal EITC. It raises the state refundable credit rate from 10% to 20% of the federal EITC amount for tax years beginning January 1, 2025, and adjusts income thresholds. The credit phases out for individuals with federal adjusted gross income above $22,000, reducing by 10% for each $1,000 earned over that amount. This change directly benefits eligible Nebraska residents who currently receive the federal EITC, providing them with additional state tax relief.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 503: Authorize the designation of American energy friendly counties and change provisions relating to privately developed renewable energy generation facilities and the nameplate capacity tax

Nebraska's LB 503 creates a program allowing counties to become "American energy friendly counties" to earn additional tax revenue from privately owned renewable energy facilities (like solar and wind installations). To qualify, counties must relax zoning rules - permitting renewable projects by right without discretionary approvals, setting noise limits at 50 decibels, and limiting setbacks (e.g., 300 feet for solar). The Department of Revenue will track designated counties and the annual tax revenue generated from these facilities. This policy directly affects county governments (through new revenue options) and renewable energy developers (by standardizing local permitting requirements).

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 471: Prohibit certain restrictions by state agencies, state entities, counties, cities, and villages relating to the energy source of motor vehicles and prohibit certain actions of the Department of Environment and Energy related to vehicle emission standards

LB 471 prohibits state agencies, counties, cities, and villages from restricting the use, purchase, or sale of motor vehicles based on their energy source (e.g., electric, gasoline, or hybrid power). It also prevents the Department of Environment and Energy from seeking federal waivers to set stricter vehicle emission standards than those required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The bill directly affects vehicle buyers, dealers, and local governments by ensuring they cannot impose rules targeting specific vehicle energy types. Key provisions eliminate barriers to all vehicle types and maintain alignment with federal emission standards.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment ✗ Transportation

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 637: Adopt the Destination Nebraska Act and provide for certain taxing authority

LB 637, the "Destination Nebraska Act," creates special tax districts for large-scale tourism and retail projects that meet specific economic criteria. It allows up to two districts statewide for projects costing over $3 billion with at least 10 million annual visitors, requiring approval from the Department of Economic Development. The bill replaces standard sales tax with a state occupation tax collected within these districts to fund development, while prohibiting local cities from taxing or regulating these areas. Districts last 40 years, cover no more than 5,000 acres, and must generate new jobs and state tax revenue. The law directly affects developers of qualifying projects and the state’s economic development strategy, not general residents.

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 327: Require the state to pay expenses for probation services

LB 327 shifts responsibility for funding probation services from Nebraska counties to the state. Beginning between July 1, 2026, and July 1, 2027, the state will pay all costs for probation staff salaries, travel, office maintenance, and technology (including hardware, software, and internet). This replaces a prior system where counties initially covered these expenses and sought reimbursement from other counties. The bill directly affects county probation offices, which will no longer bear these costs, and the state budget, which must appropriate funds through the Supreme Court.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 281: Change provisions relating to the Board of Nursing and eliminate the Board of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

LB 281 consolidates Nebraska's nursing regulatory structure by eliminating the separate Board of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and merging its functions into the existing Board of Nursing. This change directly affects nursing professionals, regulatory oversight, and the state's administrative processes for nursing licensure and practice standards. Key mechanisms include amending statutes to redefine "Board" as the single Board of Nursing, removing specific advanced practice nurse membership requirements, and eliminating obsolete provisions. The bill harmonizes board composition rules under one governing body, streamlining oversight for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and advanced practice roles. This is a structural regulatory update with no new practice standards or financial impacts.

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 488: Require a peace officer to assume custody of a probationer or temporary custody of a juvenile upon request by a probation officer

LB 488 requires peace officers to take custody of probationers (for misdemeanor or felony offenses) or juveniles when a probation officer requests it due to a violation of probation conditions that poses a danger to people or property or involves an attempt to flee the jurisdiction. The bill mandates that probation officers must document violations and request custody through written reports to county attorneys, who then decide whether to pursue probation revocation. It applies specifically to cases where probation officers have reasonable cause to believe a violation creates immediate risk, not routine probation breaches. This change standardizes procedures for both misdemeanor and felony probation cases across Nebraska statutes.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 516: Eliminate provisions relating to counties maintaining office space for the Department of Health and Human Services

This bill repeals two outdated Nebraska statutes (sections 68-130 and 81-1139.01) that required counties to maintain office space for the Department of Health and Human Services. It removes an obsolete administrative requirement without creating new obligations or affecting program delivery. The bill directly affects county governments by eliminating a specific maintenance duty related to state health services offices. This is a procedural repeal targeting redundant legal language, not a substantive policy change.

Bill results