LB 711 amends Nebraska's school funding rules to adjust how districts calculate "new schools school adjustments" for state aid. It requires districts seeking this adjustment (for new buildings expanding student capacity) to submit evidence of planned student growth and building use by October 15 annually. The bill sets limits: adjustments cannot drop below 100% or exceed 112% of the prior year's calculation for most districts, stabilizing funding changes. These changes directly affect Nebraska school districts applying for new building-related state aid under the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act.
LB 524 expands Nebraska's Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act to include paraeducators - school staff providing instructional support without teaching certification - by creating new retention grants. Paraeducators working 28+ hours weekly qualify for a $1,000 grant, while part-time staff receive proportional payments based on hours worked. The bill also amends the Education Future Fund to prioritize funding for teacher and paraeducator retention programs (Section 79-1021(e)), ensuring these grants are funded through state education resources. This directly affects Nebraska public school districts and paraeducators employed in classrooms statewide.
Nebraska's LB 256 adopts the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact, creating a commission to coordinate passenger rail development across participating Midwest states. The commission, composed of state-appointed members including a Governor's designee, a private-sector representative, and two legislators from each state, will advocate for funding, develop long-term rail plans, and coordinate with federal and local entities. This bill directly affects state transportation officials and agencies in Nebraska and other Midwest states (like Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota) that join the compact. It establishes a formal structure for regional collaboration on rail projects but does not create new rail infrastructure or funding directly.
LB 599 requires Nebraska's State Board of Education to create a comprehensive cybersecurity policy for all public, private, denominational, and parochial schools and educational service units. The policy must include a step-by-step cybersecurity guide for schools, a statewide cybersecurity team to assist schools and address threats, expanded digital safety education for students and staff, a career pipeline to recruit rural students into tech fields, and funding mechanisms to help schools purchase cybersecurity tools. This bill directly affects all Nebraska schools by mandating specific security measures and resources to protect student data and infrastructure.
LB 188 specifies Nebraska's legislative intent to appropriate $462.48 million for FY2025-26 and $476.72 million for FY2026-27 toward Medicaid nursing facility rates under Program No. 348. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to use these funds in calculating nursing facility rates, including annual inflation adjustments, and to cover rate enhancements. The bill mandates two reports: one by August 1, 2025, detailing the inflation calculation method, and another by December 31, 2025, identifying unspent funds and related payments. This directly affects Medicaid nursing facilities receiving state funding for patient care rates.
LB 146 proposes a 12.5% increase in reimbursement rates for dental services provided under Nebraska's Medical Assistance Act (Medicaid) for fiscal year 2025-26. This bill directly affects dentists and dental clinics that serve Medicaid patients by raising the state's payment for covered dental procedures. The legislation states the Legislature's intent to appropriate funds for this rate increase, which would improve payments for providers but does not expand eligibility or coverage. It declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon approval. The bill is currently pending before the Appropriations Committee.
Nebraska's Legislative Resolution 21 (LR 21) is a procedural application to Congress requesting a constitutional convention to propose a federal amendment limiting House and Senate members to a set number of terms. It directly seeks to initiate a process that would affect all future U.S. congressional elections by potentially restricting how many times a person can be re-elected to either chamber. The resolution specifies that Nebraska's application will be counted toward the 34-state threshold required under Article V of the Constitution, aggregating with similar applications from other states. This resolution does not create new law but is part of a state-level effort to advance term limits for federal lawmakers through the constitutional amendment process.
LB 54 appropriates specific funds from Nebraska's General Fund and Federal Funds for fiscal year 2025-26 to the Department of Health and Human Services. It directs these funds exclusively to increase reimbursement rates paid to providers of developmental disability services by 11% for two specific programs (424 and 348). This bill directly affects service providers who support individuals with developmental disabilities by guaranteeing a funding increase for their operations. The bill declares an emergency, meaning it would take effect immediately upon approval without a waiting period.
LB 523, the Student Teacher Compensation Act, provides a $4,000 financial stipend per semester to student teachers in Nebraska completing a teaching practicum at participating schools. It directly affects student teachers enrolled in accredited Nebraska teacher education programs who demonstrate financial need and are placed in public or private schools for their practicum. The bill requires the State Department of Education to administer the stipend program, verify eligibility, and publish annual reports on participation and program effectiveness. It does not create new funding but declares legislative intent for annual appropriations to support the program.
LB 14, the Hunger-Free Schools Act, requires all Nebraska public and nonprofit private schools participating in federal meal programs to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student during the school day. It replaces previous reimbursement systems by having the State Department of Education reimburse schools for meals that would otherwise cost students (like reduced-price or full-price meals), based on differences between federal free-meal rates and standard rates. Schools with high poverty rates (62.5% or more students eligible for free meals) must use the federal "community eligibility" program to maximize funding. This directly affects school districts and participating private schools, ensuring all students receive free meals while aligning state funding with federal nutrition program rules.
LB 440, the Education Leave and Support Act, creates a state fund to help school districts cover costs when teachers take federal medical leave (FMLA). It requires school districts to collect a 0.35% payroll fee from certificated teachers' wages (with employers matching this amount), which funds the State Education Leave Fund. This fund reimburses school districts for hiring substitutes during the first six weeks of a teacher's FMLA leave, ensuring teachers don’t need to use personal or sick leave during that period. Any surplus funds over 20% of annual needs will transfer to an Education Retention Fund to address teacher shortages and support professional development. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, with reimbursements starting July 1, 2026.
Nebraska's LB 193 creates a new "Committee on Pacific Conflict" to prepare for potential regional or global conflicts centered on the Pacific theater. The committee, consisting of seven voting members (including state officials like the Homeland Security Director and infrastructure representatives) and four non-voting legislative members, will assess threats to supply chains, critical infrastructure, and security - particularly disruptions involving China or other Pacific nations. It mandates quarterly meetings (with security exemptions from public records), requires an annual state threat assessment from the Governor, and allows for confidential reports on security vulnerabilities. The bill directly affects state officials, critical infrastructure operators, and emergency planning efforts within Nebraska.
