LB 634 creates the Legislative Sunset Review Committee to periodically evaluate state agencies and commissions (called "reviewable entities") established by the Nebraska Legislature. It requires these entities to submit detailed performance reports every five years, including data on costs, effectiveness, public input, and potential duplication. The committee will review these reports and recommend to the Legislature whether to maintain, modify, or eliminate each entity. This bill directly affects all state boards, councils, commissions, and similar bodies created by the Legislature, replacing the previous Planning Committee with this new review process. The committee will begin its reviews in 2027, with initial appointments scheduled for 2026.
Nebraska's LB 13 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendment to align with federal child care subsidy program rules. It updates income eligibility thresholds for child care assistance: families with incomes up to 185% of the federal poverty level before October 1, 2026, and 130% afterward. The bill also establishes transitional assistance for families who exceed income limits, allowing continued support until their income drops below 85% of state median income or they reach new income caps. This directly affects low-income families seeking child care subsidies and providers participating in the federal program, with cost-sharing based on a sliding scale.
LB 189 would establish Nebraska's Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act, creating a state-administered program providing wage replacement for eligible workers. It directly affects employees of participating employers and self-employed individuals who opt into the program, covering leave for reasons like newborn care, serious health conditions, and military family needs (e.g., caring for a service member on active duty). Key provisions include calculating benefits based on the worker's average weekly wage during a defined base period, with specific coverage for military-related exigencies like deployment preparation or reintegration events. The bill requires employers to participate or allow self-employed individuals to opt in, with benefits funded through employee and employer contributions to a new state-administered fund.
Nebraska's LB 204, the Biometric Autonomy Liberty Law, establishes rules for how businesses and government entities handle biometric data like fingerprints, voice prints, and iris scans. It requires businesses to obtain clear written consent from individuals (using simple language) before collecting biometric data, prohibits forcing people to use implantable devices or submit to biometric collection, and gives individuals ownership of their data. Businesses must securely store biometric data, allow individuals to transfer their data to another provider within 30 days upon request, and destroy it after a set period or when the original purpose is met. The law applies to all private businesses in Nebraska and aims to regulate data use while prioritizing individual control over sensitive biometric information.
LB 370 amends Nebraska's law governing college athletes' name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. It clarifies that student-athletes may enter contracts for NIL compensation from third parties or collectives without penalty, and prohibits schools or athletic associations from penalizing athletes for earning such income. The bill defines key terms like "athlete agent," "NIL collective," and "compensation for NIL activities," while requiring written agency agreements and setting rules for professional representation. This directly affects Nebraska college athletes, their agents, schools, and third-party sponsors involved in NIL deals.
LB 392 appropriates specific funds from the General Fund for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to the Legislative Council for Program 122. The bill directly affects the Legislative Council by providing funding for its operations through designated program funds. It includes an emergency declaration to make the appropriations effective immediately upon enactment, as noted in Section 2 of the bill text. This is a procedural funding measure with no policy changes beyond allocating existing state resources.
LB 336 creates a task force to study barriers and employment opportunities for Nebraskans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The task force will review existing reports, identify workforce gaps, and develop actionable recommendations to improve job access while addressing how work hours affect benefits. It must submit a final report with specific solutions to the Legislature and Governor by July 2027. This bill directly affects individuals with disabilities seeking competitive employment and aims to inform future policy changes through structured analysis.
LB 552 prohibits Nebraska's public universities and colleges (including the University of Nebraska, state colleges, and community colleges) from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices or requiring participation in DEI programs. The bill bans activities such as mandatory training on topics like systemic racism or microaggressions, preferential hiring based on race or gender, and using public funds for DEI initiatives. Exceptions allow harassment training, legal compliance offices, data collection for accreditation, and student organization activities. The law applies broadly to all public postsecondary institutions in Nebraska and takes effect if passed.
Nebraska bill LB 149 removes a legal prohibition that previously prevented schools from suspending students in prekindergarten through second grade. The bill amends sections 79-263, 79-265, and 79-267 of Nebraska law to eliminate this restriction, allowing schools to apply existing discipline policies - including short-term suspensions up to five days - to students in these early grades. It specifically repeals the prior restriction (section 79-265.01) and harmonizes related statutes. The change directly affects pre-K through second-grade students and their schools, enabling consistent application of discipline procedures across all grade levels.
This bill establishes safety requirements for physicians prescribing abortion-inducing drugs in Nebraska. It mandates in-person examinations, pregnancy verification, Rh factor testing, and follow-up visits within 3-14 days to confirm pregnancy termination and monitor for adverse events like hemorrhage or infection. Physicians must report specific details to the health department (excluding patient identifiers) within 30 days, and violations of these protocols become grounds for unprofessional conduct charges under medical licensing rules. The law directly affects physicians who prescribe such drugs, aiming to standardize safety monitoring without restricting access to the procedure itself.
Nebraska's LB 272 expands homestead tax exemptions to include veterans with 10-99% service-connected disabilities (previously only 100% disability was covered) and their eligible surviving spouses. It directly affects disabled veterans receiving VA compensation for partial disabilities (not total exemption under other sections), as well as their unremarried spouses or surviving spouses who remarried after age 57. The bill adds a new eligibility category (subsection 2(g)) effective January 1, 2026, requiring annual tax exemption applications with VA certification - except for every fifth year. This changes prior rules that limited exemptions to 100% disabled veterans or specific surviving spouse scenarios.
LB 430 clarifies that Nebraska schools cannot suspend students in pre-kindergarten through second grade except for two specific situations: bringing a deadly weapon to school or engaging in violent behavior that could cause physical harm. It updates suspension procedures by requiring schools to provide detailed written notices to parents within 24 hours of any suspension, explaining the reasons, available resources, and plans to help the student stay in school. These changes apply to both short-term and long-term suspensions, aiming to ensure transparency and support for young students facing disciplinary action.
