Nebraska Bills

LB 394 updates Nebraska's Weights and Measures Act by adopting current federal standards from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) handbooks, effective January 1, 2019. It directly affects businesses using commercial weighing/measuring devices (like grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies) by requiring compliance with updated federal rules on device accuracy, labeling, and pricing displays. Key provisions include adopting NIST Handbook 44 for device standards, revising registration fees for personnel, and adding rules for permanently closed businesses. The bill aligns state enforcement with federal practices without changing core consumer protections.

LB 26 would expand legal protections against assault to include all employees at hospitals and health clinics, not just licensed medical staff like doctors or nurses. It redefines "health care professional" in Nebraska's assault statutes to explicitly cover non-clinical workers such as receptionists, administrative staff, and support personnel. This change ensures that anyone working in these facilities - regardless of their specific role - would be protected under existing laws for assault against healthcare workers. The bill directly affects thousands of frontline healthcare employees who previously may not have been explicitly included in these legal safeguards.

LB 243 changes how Nebraska counties collect sidewalk assessments from property owners. It amends state law to allow these assessments to be collected using the same methods as county or state taxes on real estate, replacing the previous process. This directly affects property owners in counties that impose sidewalk assessments, streamlining their collection through standard tax enforcement procedures. The bill repeals the original section governing sidewalk assessments to implement this change.

LB 329 redefines terms related to sexual abuse by school employees in Nebraska, specifically expanding the definition of "school employee" to include contractors like resource officers or consultants working at schools. It creates three felony degrees based on the type of contact: sexual penetration (first degree, Class IIA felony), sexual contact (second degree, Class IIIA felony), and a pattern of conduct (third degree, Class IV felony). The bill explicitly states that student consent is never a defense to these charges. It directly affects school employees (including contractors) and students aged 16-19 enrolled in state-approved schools.

LB 271 prohibits interference with Nebraska railroad infrastructure, equipment, and personnel, directly affecting anyone who disrupts rail operations. It defines "interference" broadly to include tampering with tracks, signals, trains, or facilities; assaulting workers; or making false threats about rail safety. The bill establishes a serious felony charge (Class IIIA) for violating these provisions, replacing prior language in Nebraska's criminal code. This law aims to protect rail workers, passengers, and critical transportation infrastructure from deliberate or reckless disruptions.

LB 284 appropriates $500,000 from the Health and Human Services Cash Fund for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to fund Program 514. The funds are specifically for state aid to a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides health care screening, sports competitions, educational opportunities, and leadership training for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. The bill prohibits using these funds for state employee salaries. It directly affects the nonprofit organization and the individuals with disabilities it serves through these programs. The bill is purely a funding measure with no new policy provisions.

Nebraska's LB 395 would have changed rules for juveniles (under age 25) previously found guilty of certain felonies or domestic violence misdemeanors, who are currently banned from possessing firearms. It created a process allowing these individuals to petition a court for exemption from the firearm ban once they turn 19 (to juvenile court) or 25 (to district court), considering their behavior and future crime risk. The bill also clarified that sealing a juvenile's criminal record (through court order) does not remove the firearm ban, and the sealed record would still indicate the underlying offense. However, the bill was amended into another measure (LB530) on June 6, 2025, and did not become law.

LB 321 would have changed how boards of trustees are elected for Nebraska's local drainage districts. It proposed shifting voting rules: at elections held four years after the first election, two trustees would be chosen by residents owning property in the district, and three by all property owners; this would flip to three resident-elected and two all-property owners at eight-year elections. The bill also required candidates representing corporations or partnerships to list their entity's name on ballots and provide documentation proving their role. These changes would directly affect property owners and entity representatives within drainage districts, altering how trustees are selected based on ownership type and residency. (Note: The bill was amended into LB287 on June 6, 2025.)

LB 450 amends Nebraska's Property Assessed Clean Energy Act to expand how municipalities can finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements on properties. It allows cities, counties, or villages to create "clean energy assessment districts" where property owners (including agricultural, commercial, industrial, and single-family residential properties) can pay for upgrades like solar panels, insulation, or backup generators through annual property assessments over the project's lifespan. The bill updates definitions for terms like "energy efficiency improvement" and "grid resiliency improvement" to clarify eligible projects, such as energy-saving windows, smart grid tech, or renewable systems. Note: This bill was amended into LB 288 on June 6, 2025, and is no longer active in its original form.

LB 141 requires child welfare reporters (like teachers or healthcare workers) to notify military authorities and military family advocacy programs whenever child abuse or neglect is reported involving a military family member. This directly affects active-duty service members, National Guard/reserve members, and their dependents in Nebraska. The bill adds a new reporting step to existing child protection laws, ensuring military family advocacy programs are informed alongside standard child welfare agencies. It defines "military family" as active duty personnel or federal dependents, aiming to connect military families with specialized support services. (Note: This bill was amended into LB80 on June 6, 2025.)

LB 459 would have established a Home Weatherization Clearinghouse within Nebraska's Department of Environment and Energy to coordinate weatherization programs. The clearinghouse would serve as a central hub for homeowners, nonprofits, and agencies seeking funding for home weatherization and rehabilitation projects, helping applicants navigate state, local, and federal programs. It would prioritize whole-home rehabilitation projects for funding and limit administrative costs to 10% of program funds. Note: This bill was amended into LB 36 on June 6, 2025, and is no longer active as a standalone measure.

LB 445 introduces new contracting methods for Nebraska state building projects, allowing the state building division to use "design-build" (one contractor handles both design and construction) or "construction manager" contracts (a contractor assists with planning before construction). It eliminates requirements for purchasing art for state buildings and replaces outdated rules about bidding, planning, and construction. The bill directly affects the state building division and contractors working on state projects, removing old provisions while creating standardized guidelines for these new processes. It does not apply to University of Nebraska, state colleges, or projects covered by other specific laws like the Public Water Act.