LB 174 reduces the maximum amount of wages that can be garnished for medical debt from 15% to 10% of an individual's disposable earnings (after taxes and mandatory deductions). It directly affects Nebraska residents with medical debt being collected by medical debt buyers (entities that purchase and collect unpaid medical bills) and medical creditors (hospitals or providers). The bill establishes a new 10% cap for most cases, with a higher 20% limit possible only if the person is not a head of household (verified through a sworn affidavit). It also defines key terms like "medical debt," "medical debt buyer," and "head of household" to clarify eligibility for protections. This change aims to limit wage garnishment specifically for medical debt while maintaining existing rules for other debts like child support or taxes.
LB 469 requires Nebraska landlords to include a standardized form in all residential eviction notices starting February 1, 2026. The form, developed by the State Court Administrator and posted online, must provide tenants with clear information about legal assistance, financial resources, and how to report housing discrimination. This bill directly affects landlords who serve eviction notices and tenants facing eviction proceedings. It mandates a specific, accessible resource tool to help tenants navigate housing disputes under Nebraska's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
Nebraska's LB 570 creates a scholarship program for nursing students, providing $2,500 per semester to eligible students enrolled in approved nursing programs. To qualify, students must reside in Nebraska, enroll in an approved associate, diploma, certificate, or accelerated bachelor's nursing program, and agree to work as a nurse in Nebraska for two years after graduation. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to administer the program, with the Legislature intending to appropriate $5 million for fiscal year 2025-26. This policy directly affects nursing students in Nebraska seeking financial support in exchange for a commitment to work in the state's healthcare sector.
LB 409 amends Nebraska's Power Review Board membership rules. It requires the board to include at least one licensed journeyman electrician affiliated with a specific labor organization (after a vacancy occurs), alongside an engineer and attorney. The bill also restricts board members from having recent ties to electric utilities (within four years) and limits the board to no more than three members from the Governor's political party. These changes directly affect who serves on the board, which reviews electric utility matters.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Nebraska to fully reimburse local governments (cities, counties, and other political subdivisions) for costs related to new state-mandated programs or increased service requirements after 2026. It would mandate that the state provide specific funding through appropriations or increased revenue sharing to cover these expenses, rather than shifting costs to local budgets. The amendment applies only to mandates created or expanded after 2026, with no retroactive effect. If approved by voters, it would change the state constitution to enforce this reimbursement requirement.
LB 604 changes Nebraska's process for handling initiative and referendum petitions. Sponsors must now submit the full measure text and sponsor details to the Secretary of State before collecting signatures, with a state reviewer checking the text for clarity within 10 days. The Secretary must post the measure online during circulation, and legal challenges to petitions must be filed within 60 days of that posting. Courts must handle these cases quickly, with appeals going directly to the Court of Appeals.
LB 506 requires landlords in Nebraska to disclose radon-related information to tenants. Landlords must provide copies of radon test results showing hazards (4+ picocuries per liter) and a standardized disclosure form explaining radon risks and mitigation options at lease application or upon tenant request. Tenants can conduct their own radon tests during tenancy; if results show a hazard, they may terminate the lease without penalty (within 90 days) or pay for mitigation (with rent deductions if landlord consents). Landlords cannot withhold security deposits for radon testing or mitigation, though they may retain deposits if tenants install systems without consent. The law applies to leases signed on or after its effective date.
LB 436 updates Nebraska's rules for regulating health professions and changing their scope of practice. It requires new or expanding health professions to prove unregulated practice harms public health, that regulation won't create economic barriers, and that new competency standards will protect patients. This affects health professionals seeking state licensing or expanded practice authority, as well as the state agencies reviewing their applications. The bill sets clear, evidence-based criteria to determine when regulation is necessary, replacing outdated language in the existing law.
LB 554 creates the Nebraska Health Professions Commission to review applications for new health professions or changes to scope of practice for existing regulated health professions. The commission will evaluate proposals using criteria including public health impacts, workforce shortages, healthcare quality, access, and patient affordability, while holding public hearings. It replaces previous "technical committees," requires co-chairs from public health and population health research, and must submit annual reports to the Legislature by October 1. The bill allocates $300,000 annually for the commission, including $100,000 to fund data collection through the University of Nebraska Medical Center's Health Professions Tracking Service.
This bill amends Nebraska's Emergency Medical Services Practice Act to update the duties of the Board of Emergency Medical Services. It requires the Board to collect specific data on EMS service metrics - including call volumes, response times, patient demographics, and provider numbers - and submit annual reports to the Legislature. The Board must also conduct a comprehensive five-year review of EMS services and develop communication plans for emergency care providers. These changes directly affect the Board's operations and the state's EMS providers by standardizing data collection and reporting requirements.
LB 17 prohibits Nebraska residential landlords from charging certain fees, such as application fees when no units are available or for inconsistent pricing, and caps late fees at 5% of overdue rent or $50. It requires landlords to provide written receipts for all fees, disclose tenant background check details (including the reporting agency's contact info), and share consumer reports with applicants. The bill also mandates clear written itemization of all mandatory and optional fees in rental agreements, including their frequency and cancellation options. These changes directly affect landlords and tenants in Nebraska rental housing, aiming to increase transparency and limit unfair charges.
LB 587 amends Nebraska's landlord-tenant law to strengthen tenant rights when landlords fail to maintain essential services or repair habitable conditions. It shortens the required notice period for landlords to fix issues from 14 to 7 days before a tenant can terminate the lease, and expands remedies for failures in heat, water, mold, or pests. Tenants can now deduct reasonable costs for essential services or repairs from rent, obtain substitute housing without paying rent during the landlord's noncompliance, and recover attorney fees for willful violations. The bill directly affects residential tenants and landlords in Nebraska by providing clearer, faster pathways to address unsafe or uninhabitable living conditions.
