Nebraska Bills

died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 568: Provide for Arbor Day Plates and the Home of Arbor Day Plate Cash Fund and change provisions relating to license plates

Nebraska bill LB 568 creates "Arbor Day Plates" for vehicle registration and establishes the "Home of Arbor Day Plate Cash Fund" to receive revenue from these specialty plates. The fund will provide grants for projects related to Arbor Day or tree conservation, though specific grant recipients aren't detailed in the bill text. The legislation also eliminates outdated provisions related to other specialty license plates and harmonizes existing plate regulations. This is a procedural change affecting vehicle owners who choose to purchase the Arbor Day plate, with no direct impact on other license plate types beyond the eliminated provisions.

Topics ✓ Environment

died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 531: Provide an exception to the requirement that buildings constructed with state funds comply with the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code

LB 531 exempts certain affordable housing projects from requiring compliance with the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code. Specifically, it prohibits the Department of Economic Development from mandating that new construction or rental conversion projects receiving funding from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund meet the energy efficiency standards in the code. The bill amends existing law to clarify this exception while maintaining the code's requirement for all other state-funded buildings. It does not change energy standards for non-affordable housing projects or other state construction.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment ✓ Housing

died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 630: Provide and change scope of practice requirements under the Occupational Therapy Practice Act

LB 630 amends Nebraska's Occupational Therapy Practice Act to clarify and update scope-of-practice rules for occupational therapists and assistants. It redefines key terms like "electrotherapeutic agent modalities" (Sec. 38-2507) and "physical agent modalities" (Sec. 38-2513), specifies permitted treatments (e.g., heat/cold therapy, electrical stimulation), and refines temporary license rules (Sec. 38-2517). The bill directly affects licensed therapists, assistants, students in training, and healthcare workers in related fields who may perform overlapping tasks under defined conditions. These changes aim to modernize practice standards while maintaining clear boundaries for who can provide specific treatments.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 566: Eliminate a sunset date relating to an income tax credit for the purchase of certain residential property

LB 566 removes an expiration date for Nebraska's refundable income tax credit for qualifying homebuyers. The bill specifically targets Section 77-2715.07(2)(b), which provides a credit equal to 100% of the federal credit for individuals with federal adjusted gross income under $29,000. This change makes the credit permanent for eligible low-to-moderate income residents purchasing residential property in Nebraska. The bill does not alter the credit amount, eligibility requirements, or other provisions of the tax credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 480: Change provisions relating to the Water Recreation Enhancement Act

LB 480 amends Nebraska's Water Recreation Enhancement Act to authorize specific recreational infrastructure projects at three state locations: marina construction at Lake McConaughy and Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area, and an event center/lodge at Niobrara State Park. The bill grants the Game and Parks Commission authority to carry out these projects through public-private partnerships, contracts, and stakeholder engagement. It also requires the commission to avoid financial conflicts of interest in project-related property transactions. The legislation directly affects state agencies, local communities near these parks, and private entities partnering on recreational development.

died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 590: Provide for a mitigation bank or an in-lieu fee program relating to the incidental taking of threatened or endangered species habitat

LB 590 creates a program allowing Nebraska's Department of Transportation to establish mitigation banks or in-lieu fee programs to offset habitat loss from transportation projects that unintentionally impact threatened or endangered species. It requires the DOT to use this program for compensatory habitat restoration, creation, or preservation when permitted projects affect protected species, and mandates that counties receive tax payments in lieu of lost property taxes for land used in these mitigation efforts. The bill prioritizes this DOT program for state transportation projects and aims to streamline permitting, reduce delays, and ensure habitat gains exceed losses through standardized mitigation ratios. It directly affects the DOT, counties managing land, and developers needing environmental permits for transportation projects.

Topics ✓ Environment

died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 666: Change provisions relating to duties of the Public Service Commission under the Rural Communications Sustainability Act

LB 666 amends Nebraska law to change how the Public Service Commission handles broadband deployment projects under the Rural Communications Sustainability Act. It requires the Commission to relieve incumbent telephone carriers of certain obligations (like "carrier of last resort" duties) when a competing broadband provider meets program requirements. The bill also gives the Commission authority to decide how universal service funds are allocated and whether carrier obligations should transfer to the competing provider. This directly affects rural broadband providers, incumbent carriers, and the Public Service Commission in managing Nebraska's broadband funding programs.

Topics ✓ Technology

died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 595: Create the Research Excellence Cash Fund

LB 595 creates the Research Excellence Cash Fund, administered by the University of Nebraska, to support research critical to Nebraska's economy. The fund will be financed through gifts, grants, or legislative transfers and can be used for data systems, data collection, and ongoing research projects like the Nebraska Mesonet. It directly affects the University of Nebraska (as the fund administrator) and supports research initiatives benefiting Nebraska's economic development. The bill establishes a dedicated funding mechanism for research infrastructure without altering existing laws.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 628: Adopt the Recreational Trail Easement Property Tax Exemption Act and change provisions relating to the filing of statements of recorded easements and property tax exemptions

This bill creates a property tax exemption for Nebraska landowners who place perpetual recreational trail easements on their land. The exemption provides $0.10 per square foot annually for qualifying easements that grant public nonmotorized access (such as walking, hiking, or biking) and connect to existing or planned trails. To qualify, easements must be held by eligible entities like municipalities, accredited land trusts, or specific nonprofits focused on public access and conservation, and landowners must apply through the Department of Revenue with proof of the recorded easement. The bill also updates filing procedures for easement documentation to support this tax program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 539: Change and eliminate provisions relating to handgun purchase requirements

Nebraska's LB 539 would eliminate the requirement for most individuals to obtain a certificate before purchasing a handgun, removing a key provision from current law. The bill preserves exceptions for licensed dealers, antique firearms, law enforcement, family transfers, and permit holders, but removes the certificate mandate for all other handgun purchases. It also modifies background check procedures by restricting the information shared with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System to only disqualifying factors, while keeping requirements for mental health and disability reporting. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee and has not yet become law.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 461: Change provisions of the Cities of the First Class Firefighters Retirement Act

LB 461 modifies retirement benefit options for firefighters in Nebraska cities of the first class. It expands payment choices to include annual, quarterly, or monthly installments (previously limited to monthly or lump sum) for firefighters retiring on or after January 1, 1997. The bill clarifies lump-sum payment rules by requiring cities to compare two annuity contracts (one chosen by the firefighter, one by the city) to determine the equivalent value, with city council approval if the cost difference exceeds 5%. It also updates minimum pension formulas to ensure retirees receive at least 50% of their final salary based on years of service, with specific provisions for those retiring before age 55 with 21+ years of service.

died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 473: Change provisions of the Nebraska Money Transmitters Act

LB 473 updates Nebraska's Money Transmitters Act to modernize regulations for digital payment services and money transmission businesses operating in the state. It revises definitions (like "average daily money transmission liability" calculated quarterly), adjusts licensing fees (including a $50,000 fee for digital asset depositories), and clarifies requirements for licenses, examinations, and prohibited activities. The bill directly affects money transmitters, including digital payment platforms and money transfer services, by updating their regulatory obligations and fee structure. It also eliminates outdated sections (8-2743-8-2747) to streamline the law.

Topics ✓ Technology

Bill results