This bill disapproves a single, specific claim against the Nebraska state government that was recommended for disallowance by the State Claims Board and appealed by the claimant. It targets Claim Number XXXX-XXXX filed with the Department of XX, denying the requested $XX.00 payment. The bill does not establish new policy or affect broader categories of claims; it solely addresses this one named claim. As a procedural measure, it has no general application to future claims.
This bill prohibits new academic tenure appointments for faculty at Nebraska's public universities (University of Nebraska system), state colleges (Nebraska State Colleges), and community colleges. It requires each governing board to adopt a written policy covering dismissal grounds (like performance or budget issues), annual faculty evaluations, and minimum professional standards. The policy must address how faculty employment terms and conditions are managed, replacing the previous tenure system for new hires. This directly affects faculty members at these public institutions by changing their employment security and review processes.
LB 393 eliminates outdated transfer instructions from Nebraska's Cash Reserve Fund statute. The bill amends Section 84-612 to remove obsolete references to specific fund transfers that are no longer relevant (e.g., certain dates and amounts for moving money to state funds like the School Safety Fund or Capital Construction Fund). This is a procedural update to modernize the law, not a change to current funding or policy. The adjustment affects how the State Treasurer manages the Cash Reserve Fund by streamlining the legal text to reflect only active provisions.
LB 686 prohibits government entities from maintaining lists of privately owned firearms or firearm owners, except during criminal investigations. It also bans payment networks and retailers from using merchant category codes to identify firearm retailers or transactions involving firearms. The bill requires the Attorney General to enforce these rules by investigating violations, issuing corrective notices, and imposing civil fines of up to $1,000 per violation for non-compliance. This law directly affects government agencies, payment processors, and retailers handling firearm sales in Nebraska.
LB 426 requires Nebraska schools to implement a mandatory American flag education program for students in grades 5-8. This program includes teaching flag etiquette, history, and the U.S. Flag Code, with each student receiving a 3x5-foot flag and booklet. The costs would be covered using existing lottery funds allocated for education or private donations. The bill also strengthens broader civic education requirements, mandating school committees to review curricula to ensure they cover American history, patriotism, and contributions of all ethnic groups, with specific assessments for students. It directly affects all public, private, denominational, and parochial schools in Nebraska serving grades 5-8.
LB 687, the Firearm Industry Nondiscrimination Act, requires Nebraska government agencies to verify that companies they contract with (for agreements over $100,000 with 10+ full-time employees) do not refuse business with firearm-related businesses or trade associations. It mandates written confirmation that companies won’t discriminate against gun manufacturers, retailers, ranges, or gun industry trade groups (nonprofits representing these businesses) in contracts. Exceptions include sole-source contracts or when no qualified bids are received. The law aims to prevent government entities from excluding firearm industry businesses from public contracts based solely on their industry, while allowing compliance with federal/state laws or traditional business reasons.
LB 658 requires manufacturers of plant-based, lab-grown, or insect-based meat alternatives (called "manufactured-protein food products") to clearly label products using meat-related terms (like "beef" or "chicken") with a prominent qualifying term (e.g., "plant-based" or "lab-grown") directly adjacent to the meat term. It also mandates that such products be stored separately from actual meat in retail settings, using distinct shelf tags to avoid consumer confusion. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture will enforce these labeling rules and investigate complaints about misleading advertising or misbranding. This bill directly affects food companies producing meat alternatives and retailers selling them, ensuring consumers can easily distinguish plant-based/insect-based products from traditional meat.
This legislative resolution (LR 33) asks Nebraska's U.S. congressional delegation to actively support federal reforms to eliminate biannual time changes. It states that current daylight saving time practices cause health disruptions and business inefficiencies, and seeks to align with broader national efforts like the Sunshine Protection Act. The resolution specifically urges federal action to establish permanent daylight saving time, citing benefits for Nebraskans' health, economic productivity, agriculture, and public safety. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change Nebraska's time zone or create new laws but recommends a position for federal lawmakers to advance.
This bill transfers $500 million from the Perkins County Canal Project Fund to the Water Sustainability Fund by June 30, 2025. It updates the legal description of the Perkins County Canal Project's purpose to emphasize water rights protection under the South Platte River Compact but does not alter the project's development plans. The transfer is intended to redirect funds toward broader water sustainability efforts, with the original fund provisions being repealed. The bill has no direct impact on the canal's construction timeline or route planning.
LB 86 appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund for Fiscal Year 2025-26 to the Department of Natural Resources specifically for Program 334. This funding enables grants to natural resources districts that manage over 250 watershed structures, covering projects costing more than $30,000 per structure for operation, maintenance, or repair. The bill is classified as an emergency measure, taking effect upon approval.
LB 674 amends Nebraska law to redirect funds from the Perkins County Canal Project Fund. It requires transferring $250 million to the General Fund and $250 million to the Water Sustainability Fund by June 30, 2025, for state use. The bill also directs the Department of Natural Resources to conduct a study on the canal project's costs, timeline, alternatives, and impacts on Lincoln and Omaha's water supplies, with findings due to the Legislature by December 31, 2022. This legislation restates the state's intent regarding the South Platte River Compact but does not fund actual canal construction. The bill takes immediate effect due to an emergency declaration.
This Nebraska constitutional amendment (LR 25CA) would change how state legislators are paid and covered. Starting January 6, 2027, legislators would receive the state minimum wage instead of the current $1,000 monthly salary. It also requires the state to provide health insurance with benefits matching Medicaid coverage for all legislators. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 2026 election to take effect.
