Education

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 682: Update terminology relating to individualized education programs for high school students

Nebraska's LB 682 updates the terminology in state law regarding certificates of attendance for high school students with special education needs. It clarifies that students aged 17 who haven't completed their individualized education program (IEP) but receive special education services may receive a certificate of attendance. This allows them to participate in their high school's graduation ceremony alongside diploma recipients, without ending the school district's obligation to provide special education services. The bill also ensures students can later earn a high school diploma by meeting graduation requirements or completing an IEP, and it repeals the previous section it amends.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies access to graduation ceremonies for students with special needs, enhancing inclusion and educational access without ending district obligations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Special Education

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 653: Change provisions relating to acceptance of students under the enrollment option program and discipline of students under the Student Discipline Act

LB 653 updates Nebraska's education funding rules for special education programs, support services, and the enrollment option program (which allows students to attend schools outside their district). It requires school districts to deny no more than 16% of enrollment applications from students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) due to capacity limits, while ensuring non-discriminatory criteria for acceptance. The bill also revises reimbursement processes for certain students in the enrollment program and modifies how the Education Future Fund can be used. These changes aim to standardize district capacity rules and clarify funding mechanisms for educational programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires districts to limit IEP student denials to 16%, ensuring equitable access to enrollment options and revising reimbursement for special education programs.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

died · Nebraska · Legislature May 14, 2025

LB 608A: Appropriation Bill

LB 608A is an appropriations bill that allocates $781,647 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $1,351,495 for fiscal year 2026-27 from Nebraska’s General Fund to the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education (Program 692). The funds are specifically designated to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 608 (related to postsecondary education), with strict limitations requiring the money to be used only for that purpose. The bill prohibits using these funds for state employee salaries or per diems. This measure was indefinitely postponed on May 14, 2025, and never became law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates specific General Fund dollars to postsecondary education program implementation, strictly for designated purpose, advancing fiscal support for education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $781k/$1.35M specifically for implementing postsecondary education bill, directly funding higher education programs per legislative mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 119: Provide requirements for the Rural Health Opportunity Program and provide tuition waivers

LB 119 establishes the Rural Health Opportunity Program to encourage Nebraska students from rural areas to pursue healthcare careers. It requires the University of Nebraska and Nebraska State Colleges to create a joint agreement for selecting eligible students and provides a 100% tuition and fee waiver for up to four years at state colleges while completing coursework needed to transfer to the University of Nebraska Medical Center. To qualify, students must be Nebraska high school graduates or equivalent residents of designated rural areas. The bill states legislative intent to fund the program annually but was indefinitely postponed on May 30, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides 100% tuition waiver for rural students pursuing healthcare careers at state colleges, expanding higher education access and funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tuition waivers for rural students pursuing healthcare careers, expanding workforce pipeline and supporting healthcare access through education funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 329: Change provisions relating to sexual abuse by a school employee

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands felony definitions for school employee sexual abuse, increasing penalties and clarifying consent invalidity, aligning with criminal justice reform by strengthening accountability.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands legal protections for students against school employee abuse, enhancing safety in educational settings90% confidence

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 261: Appropriate funds for the expenses of Nebraska State Government for the biennium ending June 30, 2027, and appropriate Federal Funds allocated to the State of Nebraska pursuant to the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

LB 261 is Nebraska's state budget bill for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27, allocating funds for government operations, education, capital projects, and federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. It reappropriates unspent balances from previous years and specifies how federal recovery funds must be used, including restrictions on salary spending. The bill requires agencies to submit detailed budget reports and limits total salary/wage expenditures unless federal funds cover the excess. This directly affects all state agencies, universities, and programs receiving state or federal funds during the 2025-2027 budget period.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state/federal funds for government operations, education, and capital projects while enforcing fiscal responsibility through salary spending limits.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates state and federal funds for education, including American Rescue Plan Act recovery funds. Restrictions on salary spending apply only to federal funds, but overall funding for education is explicitly provided.90% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly limits total salary/wage expenditures unless federal funds cover excess, restricting state funding for wages and workplace compensation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 497: Provide for admission of and participation in extracurricular activities by certain students that are not residents of the school district

LB 497 requires Nebraska school boards to allow non-resident students (who are already admitted to attend school under existing residency rules) to participate in extracurricular activities like sports and clubs. It amends statutes to mandate this participation for students who are not residents of the school district but meet specific admission criteria, such as living near the district border or having parents residing there. The bill focuses on expanding access to activities beyond classroom attendance, aligning with current admission policies. Note: This bill was amended into LB 306 on June 6, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands extracurricular access for non-resident students meeting admission criteria, directly supporting educational access as defined in the topic.95% confidence

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in committee · Nebraska · Legislature Aug 8, 2025

LR 258: Interim study to examine a philanthropic endowment and location to host a week-long camp for certain children who live in low-income urban areas to learn about agriculture

This resolution proposes an interim study to examine creating a week-long agricultural camp for children aged 9-12 living in low-income urban areas, focusing on curriculum development, funding sources (including philanthropic endowments), and potential pilot locations like Omaha or Lincoln. The study will assess educational benefits, successful models from other states, and ways to make the program accessible and culturally inclusive. It does not create new law but asks the Agriculture Committee to evaluate how such a program could address workforce opportunities through agricultural education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProposes study for agricultural camp curriculum and funding to expand educational access for low-income urban youth, aligning with program enhancement indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 306: Change provisions relating to admission to elementary and secondary schools, the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges, the Nebraska Career Scholarship Act, the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education Act, and the Door to College Scholarship Act and require a database of financial information regarding school districts and reporting regarding funding from foreign adversarial sources

LB 306 modifies school residency rules to clarify admission for non-resident students, military families, and students in residential settings. It requires all Nebraska school districts to maintain a centralized financial database and mandates public and private colleges to report funding from "foreign adversarial sources" to the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education. The bill also updates scholarship programs (Nebraska Career Scholarship Act and Door to College Scholarship Act) and adjusts governance for the Nebraska State Colleges Board. These changes aim to increase transparency in school funding and foreign financial influences on higher education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates scholarship programs (Nebraska Career Scholarship Act) and clarifies school admission rules for non-residents/military families, enhancing educational access and funding mechanisms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Student Financial Aid

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 352: Change provisions relating to reports on student achievement and discipline required under the Quality Education Accountability Act

This bill requires Nebraska school districts to collect and report detailed student achievement and discipline data to the state. School districts must track incidents like suspensions, expulsions, and law enforcement involvement, then report individual data (while keeping students anonymous) aggregated by factors such as race, poverty level, disability status, and English proficiency. The state will create a public database showing this de-identified data, searchable by school, discipline type, and demographic group. The goal is to help identify patterns in achievement and discipline outcomes, particularly for students in poverty, with disabilities, or who are limited English proficient. Failure to comply may lead to accreditation consequences for school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires data collection on discipline disparities (race, disability, etc.) to promote equity and accountability in K-12 schools, aligning with educational improvement goals.85% confidence

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