Nebraska's LB 443 creates a new criminal offense called "unlawful squatting" for people who enter and occupy another person's property with the intent to claim ownership or use it without permission. It requires law enforcement to issue a warning citation if they have probable cause (e.g., visible personal items or temporary structures on vacant property), giving the person three business days to prove legal right to stay with documents like a deed, lease, or payment records (digital copies accepted). Failure to provide valid proof within that timeframe results in arrest and a Class I misdemeanor charge. The bill directly affects individuals occupying land without the owner's consent, aiming to clarify legal recourse for property owners.
LB 254 directs Nebraska's legislature to transfer $25 million from the General Fund for fiscal year 2025-26 and an additional $25 million for 2026-27 to the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Fund. This funding is intended to provide grants for workforce housing projects under the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act. The bill directly affects rural communities and workers by supporting affordable housing initiatives through state funding. It establishes a legislative intent to allocate these specific sums, though the actual disbursement would require subsequent implementation.
Nebraska's LB 541 eliminates online voter registration and restricts voter registration by mail, requiring additional verification for mail-in applications. The bill mandates hand counts of ballots (without electronic devices), requires watermarks on official ballots, and sets specific requirements for secure ballot drop boxes. It also requires voters to provide specific grounds for early voting and repeals outdated provisions like online registration rules. These changes directly affect all Nebraska voters, election officials, and county clerks administering elections under the state's Election Act.
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.
