Criminal Justice

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 889: Change a penalty and provisions regulating licensure and registration under the State Electrical Act

LB 889 changes penalties under Nebraska's State Electrical Act by elevating violations from misdemeanors to Class IV felonies. It directly affects licensed electrical workers and contractors who commit specific violations, including making false statements on license applications, working without a license, failing to request required inspections, interfering with inspectors, or ignoring electrical regulations. The bill amends Section 81-2143 of the State Electrical Act to reflect this penalty increase for all five listed offenses. The original misdemeanor penalty provision is repealed, making these violations punishable by felony charges.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates electrical violations from misdemeanors to felonies, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing severity. This aligns with 'oppose' indicators (expands criminalization).95% confidence

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 994: Change provisions of the Nebraska Treatment and Corrections Act relating to good time and parole eligibility

This bill (LB 994) requires Nebraska's Department of Correctional Services to recalculate parole eligibility dates for all offenders incarcerated on or after July 1, 2011, by April 15, 2027. It clarifies that good-time credits - earned through behavior and programming - apply to both parole eligibility dates and tentative release dates, with specific formulas: 6 months per year of sentence and 3 additional days monthly for good conduct. The recalculation must occur in phases to avoid administrative strain, and individuals on parole as of the law's effective date may request reduced parole terms if their eligibility would have changed under the new rules. The bill directly affects incarcerated people and parolees in Nebraska who were sentenced after July 2011.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes rehabilitation by allowing good-time credits to reduce parole eligibility dates, incentivizing inmate participation in programs and reducing recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 978: Provide for civil actions for conduct relating to obscene material, child sexual abuse material, and child sexual exploitation devices

Nebraska's LB 978 creates a new civil cause of action allowing victims of exposure to prohibited content - including child sexual abuse material, material promoting such content, or obscene material - to sue individuals or entities that distribute, facilitate access to, or create such content online. The bill specifically permits minors or individuals depicted in prohibited content to seek damages, attorney fees, and equitable relief, while shielding internet utilities from liability for hosting third-party content they didn’t create. It also explicitly protects judges, attorneys, and their staff from liability when viewing such content in good faith for official purposes. The law applies alongside existing legal remedies and does not require a criminal conviction for victims to pursue civil claims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables victims of child exploitation material to sue distributors, enhancing victim protection and accountability within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 789: Provide an exclusion from the hearsay rule for a statement offered against a party that wrongfully caused the declarant's unavailability

This Nebraska bill (LB 789) amends evidence rules to allow certain witness statements in court when a party (like a defendant) wrongfully caused the witness to become unavailable. Specifically, it adds an exception to the hearsay rule: if a party intentionally made a witness unavailable (e.g., through threats or harm) to prevent testimony, statements made by that witness can now be used against them. This affects legal cases where witness unavailability was caused by the opposing party’s misconduct. The change streamlines courtroom procedures by permitting such statements as evidence without requiring the usual hearsay exceptions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows use of witness statements when defendant caused unavailability, enhancing accountability by preventing witness intimidation in criminal trials.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LR 299CA: Constitutional amendment to create the Nebraska Board of Commutation and transfer powers of the Board of Pardons

This Nebraska legislative resolution (LR 299CA) proposes a constitutional amendment to create a new Nebraska Board of Commutation, transferring the power to reduce prison sentences (commutations) from the current Board of Pardons to this new board. The amendment specifies the Board of Commutation would consist of seven members appointed by the Governor (nonpartisan) and confirmed by the Legislature, requiring diverse expertise including mental health, restorative justice, criminal law, law enforcement, and lived experience with incarceration or victimization. It would not affect the existing powers of the Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State regarding pardons, fines, or reprieves. This change requires voter approval in the November 2026 general election.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates specialized board requiring restorative justice expertise, shifting commutation power toward rehabilitation-focused oversight rather than punitive measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 881: Require law enforcement agencies, jails, and the Nebraska State Patrol to receive approval prior to entering into agreements to enforce immigration law

Nebraska's LB 881 requires law enforcement agencies, county/city jails, and the Nebraska State Patrol to obtain prior approval from their local governing body before entering agreements to enforce immigration law. This applies to any agreement involving immigration enforcement actions like detention or arrest, excluding human trafficking-related agreements. The bill mandates a 30-day written notice to the local governing body, a public hearing, and approval before any new agreement takes effect starting July 1, 2026. Existing agreements must terminate by December 1, 2026, unless approved by the local body by October 15, 2026. Agencies must also report all approved agreements to the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement within 60 days.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires local approval for immigration enforcement agreements, enhancing law enforcement accountability and protecting civil rights per reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires local approval for immigration enforcement agreements, limiting state cooperation with federal enforcement, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 817: Enhance penalties for certain controlled substance offenses involving fentanyl

LB 817 increases penalties for certain drug offenses involving fentanyl by amending Nebraska's controlled substances laws. It enhances penalties for individuals convicted of distributing or possessing fentanyl, raising the felony classification for these offenses beyond standard penalties. This directly affects people convicted of fentanyl-related drug crimes in Nebraska, particularly those involving distribution near schools or to minors. The bill harmonizes existing penalties and specifically targets fentanyl offenses by applying stricter sentencing under sections 28-416, 28-1354, and 28-1701. The key change is a mandatory penalty enhancement when fentanyl is the controlled substance involved in the offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for fentanyl offenses by raising felony classifications, directly aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator for opposition to criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Mar 3, 2026

LB 877: Designate certain substances as controlled substances under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act

LB 877 amends Nebraska's Uniform Controlled Substances Act to add specific substances to the list of controlled drugs and correct spelling errors in the existing schedule. This change will subject these substances to the same legal restrictions as other controlled drugs under state law, affecting law enforcement, healthcare providers, and individuals who possess or distribute them. The bill updates the law's definitions and schedules to include these new substances. The exact list of substances designated is not provided in the bill text excerpt.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds substances to controlled list, expanding criminalization and enforcement scope without reform indicators90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 962: Adopt the Youth Reentry and Transitional Support Act

LB 962 establishes the Youth Reentry and Transitional Support Act to support youth under 21 exiting juvenile detention, group homes, residential treatment programs, or probation supervision. The law requires state agencies to develop individualized transition plans within 60 days of custody, assign aftercare coordinators for up to 12 months post-release, and create individualized employment plans with career pathways. Key provisions include housing stabilization strategies, continuity of behavioral health and Medicaid services, credible messenger mentoring, and joint meetings between probation officers and coordinators. The program integrates existing state resources across the Department of Health and Human Services, Juvenile Services, Probation Administration, and the Department of Education.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes youth reentry support with transition plans, aftercare, and employment pathways to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation - direct criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires continuity of behavioral health services during youth reentry, directly supporting mental health access for vulnerable populations transitioning from detention.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly includes 'housing stabilization strategies' as a key provision in transition plans for youth exiting detention, directly advancing housing stability for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Medicaid Mental Health

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 854: Prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings or disguises and require them to wear appropriate identification

Nebraska's LB 854 requires all law enforcement officers to wear clear, visible identification displaying their name, badge number, and agency during routine duties, while prohibiting facial coverings like masks or hoods. The bill directly affects all Nebraska law enforcement officers, including local police, sheriffs, state patrol, and federal officers operating in the state. Exceptions allow facial coverings for health protection (e.g., disease masks), safety during high-risk incidents (shootouts, terrorist situations), or specific equipment like motorcycle helmets. Violations are classified as a Class III misdemeanor. The law does not apply to covert operations or situations where transparent face shields are used.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires visible officer identification to enhance police accountability and transparency, directly aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like oversight and public trust.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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