Nebraska Bills

LB 285 prohibits the sale of flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems (vapes) in Nebraska, specifically banning products with non-tobacco or non-menthol tastes/smells distinguishable to consumers. It directly affects vape retailers and manufacturers by requiring them to stop selling these flavored products, with tobacco- and menthol-flavored vapes excluded from the ban. The bill defines "flavored vapor product" and imposes penalties including Class III misdemeanors and potential license revocation for violations. Enforcement applies to all retail sales, including online or delivery, under existing tobacco product regulations.

LB 268 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to increase reimbursement rates for providers of developmental disability services starting in fiscal year 2025-26. The bill mandates a rate increase equal to 150% of the state minimum wage, with annual adjustments tied to changes in the Consumer Price Index. This directly affects service providers who support individuals with developmental disabilities by increasing their funding. The legislation aims to harmonize existing provisions and is funded using federal resources designated for this purpose.

LB 586 requires Nebraska election officials to create plans ensuring voting access for eligible voters who cannot travel to in-person polling places due to residence in facilities like jails, nursing homes, or hospitals. It mandates that county clerks coordinate with facility staff to provide voter information, facilitate registration and ballot delivery, and establish clear processes for returning ballots (e.g., via two non-partisan voters). The bill specifies that plans must include voter ID details, registration verification options, and ballot curing procedures, with failure to comply resulting in civil penalties for the county. This directly affects election administrators, facility operators, and approximately 10,000+ Nebraskans living in such facilities who face voting barriers.

LB 695 requires the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District to construct a dam and implement flood control measures to protect Battle Creek, Nebraska, and downstream communities. The bill mandates the district to build a dam based on a specific engineering design, avoid increasing river flow downstream, and seek local, state, and federal funding to minimize tax increases for residents. It directly affects Battle Creek’s road and rail infrastructure, which supports local businesses, transportation, and regional industries like agriculture and manufacturing. The law aims to prevent flood damage to critical infrastructure while reducing the need for higher property taxes on district residents.

Nebraska's LB 211 amends the Property Tax Growth Limitation Act to change how local governments (like cities and counties) calculate their annual property tax increase limit. It establishes a base limit using the prior year's property taxes minus exemptions, then allows additional increases based on either the local government's growth rate or inflation (with a 2% minimum for most entities). If public safety services (like police/fire) make up 20% or more of property tax-funded spending, the inflation-based increase uses a 0% floor; otherwise, it uses a 2% floor. The bill repeals the existing calculation method and takes effect immediately upon approval.

LB 699 amends Nebraska's ImagiNE Act to adjust eligibility requirements for sales and use tax incentives. It sets three investment thresholds for businesses: $5 million with 30 new hires, $250 million with 250 new hires, or $50 million with no specific hire requirement. To qualify, businesses must pay wages at least 150% of Nebraska's statewide average hourly wage and offer health insurance coverage to full-time employees. The bill provides tax refunds on qualifying property purchases and exemptions from future sales/use taxes during the program period, subject to these new conditions. It directly affects businesses seeking to expand in Nebraska under the ImagiNE program.

LB 178 requires all employees at Nebraska retail liquor stores who sell, serve, or mix alcohol, provide security at licensed locations, or verify customer ages to complete approved mandatory server training by January 1, 2026. The training covers responsible service practices, recognizing intoxication, refusing service to visibly intoxicated persons, age verification, and local alcohol laws. Retail stores must verify employees have certification from an approved program before hiring or within 90 days of starting employment. This applies to all staff directly handling alcohol sales or age checks at licensed retail locations.

LB 88 allocates $500,000 annually from the state general fund for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The funds must be used exclusively for educational programming and technical expertise supporting downtown revitalization, business growth, and historic preservation projects in communities statewide. This is a funding bill directing existing state resources toward economic development initiatives, with no new policy changes or requirements for recipients.

LB 127 allows defendants in Nebraska criminal cases who are found not guilty, have charges dismissed, or have convictions overturned to seek compensation for financial harms caused by wrongful prosecution. It requires courts to award reasonable attorney fees, lost wages, and other litigation costs when a case ends in dismissal or acquittal under specific conditions. The bill excludes cases where defendants later face conviction for related offenses arising from the same misconduct. This law directly affects individuals cleared of criminal charges after significant legal costs and time spent in detention.

Nebraska's LB 214 amends the Newborn Safe Haven Act to establish standardized safety devices for anonymous infant surrender. It requires hospitals and fire stations to install padded, temperature-controlled devices with dual alarms (calling 911 when opened or detecting movement) and multilingual signage, with daily inspections and weekly testing. The bill provides criminal immunity for surrendering infants under 90 days old at approved locations (hospitals, fire stations, or law enforcement) and directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create procedures for anonymous medical history sharing, reconsidering surrenders, and paternity testing. The legislation also allocates $15,000 for installation grants and $65,000 for public awareness campaigns about the program.

Nebraska's LB 53 establishes legal immunity for people experiencing pregnancy outcomes that don't result in live births. The bill prohibits criminal charges, arrests, or prosecutions for outcomes like miscarriage, stillbirth, or intentional termination of pregnancy. It also grants civil immunity, blocking lawsuits based on these same pregnancy outcomes. This directly affects individuals who experience non-live-birth pregnancy outcomes by preventing both criminal and civil legal action against them. The law explicitly states it does not apply to outcomes resulting in live births.

LB 220 requires Nebraska legislators to create "developmental and intellectual disability impact notes" for proposed bills that may affect people with these disabilities. These notes, developed by the Legislative Research Office using data and research, would estimate how a bill might change existing disparities in economic, employment, health, education, and public safety outcomes for this group. The notes must include a clear statement on whether the bill is likely to increase or decrease these disparities. Requests for such notes can be made by introducing legislators or committee chairs, and the Legislative Council's Executive Board will approve or deny these requests.