Nebraska's LB 29 requires state agencies to review all existing and pending rules every three years starting in 2026, with the first review due by June 30, 2026. Agencies must submit detailed reports addressing whether rules are essential for public health/safety, if costs outweigh benefits, if effectiveness is measured, if less restrictive alternatives were considered, and the rule's origin (state law, federal mandate, or court order). During these reviews, agencies must pause new rulemaking - except for health/safety rules, time-sensitive actions, or rules with statutory deadlines. The reports are referred to relevant legislative committees, which must review them and propose changes by December 15. This bill amends Nebraska's Administrative Procedure Act to establish this structured review process.
LB 386 creates a pilot program to expand mental health services for individuals in crisis who are temporarily detained by law enforcement. It allows counties to add mental health beds in jails and encourages regional cooperation between law enforcement agencies, with the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement administering the program. Key provisions include permitting videoconferencing for mental health hearings and evaluations under existing commitment acts, and defining terms like "videoconferencing" to streamline processes. The bill specifically states it does not criminalize mental health issues and aims to reduce burdens on rural law enforcement and improve access to care.
LB 458 introduces two key acts to streamline development and housing. The Permitting Approval Timeliness Act requires local governments to decide on building permit applications within 60 days, automatically granting permits if they miss the deadline. The By-Right Housing Development Act allows duplexes, single-family homes, multifamily units, and accessory dwelling units to be built without discretionary approval from local zoning boards if they meet existing zoning rules. This directly affects homeowners, developers, and municipalities by reducing approval delays and expanding housing options.
LB 309 requires producers of covered batteries (like small consumer electronics) to join approved recycling programs by 2028 and mandates clear labeling on batteries by 2029 to show chemistry and proper disposal instructions. It directly affects battery manufacturers and retailers selling products containing portable or medium-format batteries (excluding medical devices, car batteries, and non-removable batteries). The law creates a system where producers fund recycling through designated organizations, tracks collection and recycling rates, and prohibits selling unmarked batteries. This aims to ensure safe disposal and recycling while exempting certain batteries like those in medical devices or vehicles.
LB 134 amends Nebraska law to update the design, eligibility, and issuance process for military-affiliated license plates, including Military Honor Plates for service members and veterans, prisoner-of-war plates, disabled veteran plates, and Purple Heart plates. It requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to verify eligibility through the Department of Veterans' Affairs registry and mandates proof of permanent disability for plates combining the "veteran" designation with the wheelchair symbol. The bill creates specific designs for each military branch, campaign medals, and personalized options (with a five-character limit), while setting cost caps to match standard plates and including a sunset clause if annual usage drops below 500 plates for two consecutive years. These changes directly affect active-duty military personnel, veterans (including those with specific campaign medals), and disabled veterans who qualify for these specialized plates.
LB 125 expands Nebraska's Tobacco Products Tax Act to regulate "alternative nicotine products" and nicotine analogues. It defines these as noncombustible nicotine products (like certain e-liquids or nicotine salts) not already covered by tobacco or FDA regulations, and requires them to be taxed and licensed under the existing tobacco tax framework. The bill directly affects manufacturers and sellers of these new nicotine products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems containing nicotine analogues. Key mechanisms include creating new definitions for regulatory clarity and applying current tobacco tax rules to these products, rather than establishing new taxes. This policy change aims to bring these products under the state's existing tobacco regulatory system.
Nebraska's LB 24 establishes standardized fees for people on probation and participants in non-probation programs using probation resources. It requires a $30 one-time enrollment fee and monthly fees of $25 (standard probation) or $35 (intensive supervision), payable until probation ends. The bill mandates courts to waive these fees for individuals previously found indigent or facing undue financial hardship after a hearing. Crucially, it prohibits revoking probation solely for nonpayment if the person demonstrates financial inability through court procedures.
This bill removes the minimum nine-month requirement for post-release supervision for individuals convicted of Class III and IIIA felonies who receive prison sentences. Previously, such offenders had to serve at least nine months under supervision after prison. The change eliminates this mandatory minimum period, allowing courts to determine supervision terms without that fixed requirement. It directly affects people convicted of these specific felony classes who are sentenced to prison. The bill amends Nebraska's sentencing statute to remove this specific provision.
LB 455 would require injury reports filed under Nebraska's Workers' Compensation Act to be kept confidential by default, meaning they cannot be publicly accessed. Employees can choose to waive this confidentiality to allow public access to their specific reports, and this waiver remains in effect even if they change jobs. The bill specifies who may access these reports without waiver, including the affected employee, their attorney, the employer or insurer involved, certain attorneys handling related claims, or government agencies compiling statistics (with employee identities redacted). It does not change the types of injuries requiring reporting but clarifies who can view the reports under specific circumstances. The bill is currently postponed indefinitely in the Nebraska legislature.
This bill sets specific funding amounts to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for assisted-living facilities in Nebraska. It directs $7,926,576 (FY2025-26) and $8,243,639 (FY2026-27) to the Department of Health and Human Services to raise daily rates for these facilities under Nebraska's Medicaid waiver program. The funds will increase the daily rate to $88.24 for 2025-26 and $91.78 for 2026-27, applying equally to both rural and urban facilities participating in the program.
LB 334 makes the residence address, mailing address, and telephone number of judges seeking retention confidential. This applies only to judges running for retention (a process where voters decide whether to keep an incumbent judge) and not to other candidates. The bill requires filing officers (like the Secretary of State) to keep this contact information private, removing it from public candidate filing forms. It does not change voting rules or election procedures, only the confidentiality of specific personal details for judges in retention races.
LB 322 increases penalties for assaulting specific professionals while they are working. It makes assault on pharmacists, healthcare workers (including hospital/clinic staff), and emergency responders a higher felony classification when committed during their duties at pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics. The bill defines "pharmacist" as a state-licensed pharmacy practitioner and "health care professional" to include all employees at healthcare facilities. This amendment enhances existing assault penalties for these targeted groups without creating new prohibitions. The bill is currently postponed indefinitely in Nebraska's legislative process.
