Budget & Taxes

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LR 18CA: Constitutional amendment to require the Legislature to reimburse political subdivisions

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Nebraska's state government to fully reimburse local governments (such as cities and counties) for costs associated with new state-mandated programs or increased service levels implemented after 2026. The amendment would add a specific provision to the state constitution stating that the Legislature cannot impose such financial obligations on political subdivisions without providing a dedicated state appropriation or revenue increase to cover the full cost. It directly affects local governments by ensuring they won't bear unexpected expenses from state-mandated initiatives after 2026. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires state reimbursement for local government mandates, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management by preventing unfunded state mandates.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 417: Provide for administration of the Nebraska Promise Program by the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska, adopt the College Promise Act, and change provisions relating to the Quality Education Accountability Act

LB 417 establishes the Nebraska Promise Program, providing tuition waivers for eligible Nebraska residents attending University of Nebraska campuses or Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. It covers up to 15 credit hours per semester after federal grants and scholarships are applied, targeting students with family incomes under $65,000 annually and requiring a 2.5 GPA. The bill also extends similar tuition waivers to community colleges (up to 2 years) and state colleges (up to 4 years) for qualifying low-income students. Funding for these waivers comes from a new College Promise Fund, with reimbursements distributed monthly from the General Fund to institutions after annual certification. The program requires institutions to verify eligibility and maintain a standardized appeals process through the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates state-funded tuition waiver program for low-income students, increasing public education spending under state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes tuition waivers for low-income students at public colleges, expanding access and reducing costs - directly supports higher education affordability and access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted abstain

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 215A: Appropriation Bill

This bill appropriates $122,000 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2025-26 and $125,966 for 2026-27 to the Nebraska Board of Parole for Program 358. The funds are specifically designated to support implementation of Legislative Bill 215, which is referenced in this appropriation. The bill also sets spending limits, capping total salary and per diem expenses at $85,400 for 2025-26 and $88,015 for 2026-27. It directly affects the Board of Parole's operations by providing dedicated funding for Program 358. This is a standard funding measure to enable the execution of another legislative bill, not a standalone policy change.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides dedicated General Fund appropriation for Board of Parole operations with spending caps, directly advancing fiscal management and program funding within budget framework.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds Nebraska Board of Parole (corrections agency) for Program 358 implementation, directly supporting criminal justice corrections operations.80% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 538A: Appropriation Bill

This bill (LB 538A) allocates $138,227 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $137,431 for 2026-27 from Nebraska’s General Fund to the State Department of Education’s Program 25. It provides funding specifically to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 538 (the parent bill), which is not described in this text. The bill sets limits on salary and per diem expenses ($66,197 for 2025-26 and $68,348 for 2026-27). As a funding measure, it does not create new policy but enables the execution of another bill’s provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $138K+ annually from General Fund to Education Program 25, enabling implementation of parent bill. Directly funds public service program per budget management criteria.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds to State Department of Education for Program 25 implementation, directly supporting education funding without policy changes.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 170: Eliminate the sales tax exemptions for candy and soft drinks

This bill would eliminate Nebraska's sales tax exemption for candy and soft drinks, requiring these items to be taxed starting October 1, 2025. Currently, candy (defined as sugar-based products without flour or refrigeration needs) and soft drinks (nonalcoholic sweetened beverages excluding milk-based or juice-heavy drinks) are exempt under state tax law, but this bill would remove them from the list of exempt items. The change would directly affect consumers purchasing these products and retailers selling them, as they would now pay the standard sales tax. This policy shift aligns with efforts to broaden the tax base for non-essential items.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves tax exemptions for candy/soft drinks, generating revenue by closing a tax loophole, aligning with fiscal responsibility and increased budget revenue.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 677: Change provisions of the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act and provide for regulation of medical cannabis

Nebraska LB 677 updates the state's medical cannabis framework by clarifying key definitions (like "cannabis products" and "caregivers"), establishing new licensing rules for cultivators and dispensaries, and imposing a special sales tax on medical cannabis sales. It prohibits open cannabis containers in vehicles, removes medical cannabis from existing marijuana tax categories, and directs tax revenue to specific state funds. The bill directly affects qualified patients, registered caregivers, cannabis businesses, and the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, which now oversees regulation. It also repeals outdated provisions and harmonizes existing laws, though it remains pending in committee as of March 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes special sales tax on medical cannabis and directs revenue to state funds, generating new tax revenue for fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates medical cannabis access, enabling patient treatment under healthcare framework per bill's focus on medical use and patient access provisions90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 316A: Appropriation Bill

This bill (LB 316A) appropriates $441,686 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $84,798 for 2026-27 from the state General Fund to the Department of Revenue. These funds are specifically designated to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 316 (which is not detailed in this text) under Program 102. The bill also sets annual limits on salary and per diem expenses using these funds, capping them at $41,300 for 2025-26 and $42,700 for 2026-27. It directly affects the Department of Revenue’s budget for carrying out LB 316’s provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $441K+ to Department of Revenue for tax implementation, directly funding fiscal management operations per appropriation bill structure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 316: Prohibit conduct relating to hemp other than cannabidiol products and change provisions of the Nebraska Hemp Farming Act and the Uniform Controlled Substances Act

Nebraska's LB 316 establishes new rules for hemp-derived products, specifically targeting cannabidiol (CBD) products. It defines CBD products as those containing cannabidiol as a primary ingredient with strict THC limits (max 0.3% dry weight or 10mg per package), prohibits non-compliant hemp products, and imposes a 10% retail excise tax on CBD sales starting January 1, 2026. The bill also creates a "consumer safe harbor period" through December 31, 2025, during which individuals won't face prosecution for possessing non-compliant hemp products if they surrender them for destruction. These changes directly affect CBD retailers (requiring tax collection and recordkeeping) and consumers (via the safe harbor provision).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes 10% retail excise tax on CBD sales starting 2026, creating new state revenue stream for budget management.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 10, 2026

LR 422: Urge Congress and the President of the United States to enact legislation to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

This legislative resolution from the Nebraska Legislature urges the U.S. Congress and President to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The bill directly affects children with disabilities in Nebraska and their families by calling for federal financial support that has historically been underfunded. It highlights that since 1975, the federal government has only provided 40% of the authorized funding for special education, leaving state and local schools to cover the remaining costs. The resolution requests that federal authorities enact legislation to meet the full funding mandate, thereby reducing the financial burden on Nebraska schools and taxpayers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill urges full federal funding for IDEA, directly advocating for increased government spending on essential education services for children with disabilities.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly calls for full funding of IDEA to support children with disabilities in education, directly advancing educational access and resources.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 8, 2026

LB 962A: Appropriation Bill

This bill appropriates one dollar each from the General Fund for fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28 to the Nebraska Supreme Court. The funds are designated for Program 52 to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 962, which was introduced in the 109th Legislature's second session. The appropriation is limited to permanent and temporary salaries and per diems, with no more than one dollar allowed for each fiscal year. This measure provides minimal financial resources to the court for administrative purposes related to a previously introduced legislative initiative.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates funding to Nebraska Supreme Court for program implementation, directly advancing budget allocation for government services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted abstain

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