Education

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 161: Redefine formula students under the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act

This bill redefines "formula students" for calculating state education aid under Nebraska's Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act. It changes how school districts count students to determine funding, specifically adjusting for kindergarten enrollment patterns and including qualified early childhood education students. The new formula uses average daily membership and makes specific adjustments for non-full-day kindergarten programs. This directly affects all Nebraska school districts receiving state education funding by altering the calculation method for their aid payments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedefines student count to increase education aid funding under Tax Equity Act, supporting state budget allocation for public education.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill adjusts student count formula to include early childhood students, expanding state education aid eligibility under Tax Equity Act.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood School Funding

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 408: Adopt the Special Education Teacher Forgivable Loan Program Act

This bill creates Nebraska's Special Education Teacher Forgivable Loan Program, targeting students pursuing special education teaching credentials at eligible Nebraska colleges. It provides loans covering remaining tuition costs after federal/state aid, which are forgiven if recipients teach special education in Nebraska public schools for five consecutive years. To qualify, students must be U.S. citizens or specific eligible noncitizens, enrolled in special education programs, and have applied for other financial aid. Failure to teach in Nebraska for the required period results in repayment with 5% annual interest.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates forgivable loans for special education teachers to incentivize retention in Nebraska public schools, directly supporting educator recruitment and retention efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Student Financial Aid Teachers

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 481: Adopt the Foster Care Child Scholarships Act

LB 481 establishes the Foster Child Scholarships Act, providing financial aid (HOPE Scholarships) for children in foster care or their biological siblings to attend qualifying private schools in Nebraska. It directly affects eligible students (those in foster care or siblings of foster children) and their educational decisionmakers, allowing them to use scholarships at non-profit private schools meeting state safety, accreditation, and anti-discrimination standards. The program, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services starting 2025-26, covers education costs and continues until graduation or age 21, regardless of foster care status. The bill requires annual reports to the legislature detailing scholarship recipients, funding amounts, and demographic data, while explicitly stating the state cannot control participating schools' governance.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides HOPE Scholarships for foster youth and siblings to attend private schools, expanding educational access and funding for vulnerable students in Nebraska.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 631: State intent relating to funding for the School Emergency Response Mapping Fund

Nebraska's LB 631 creates the School Emergency Response Mapping Fund to support school emergency planning. The bill directs $4.525 million from the General Fund for fiscal year 2024-25 to be administered by the State Department of Education for grants that help schools implement mapping data systems. It replaces previous funding language in state law and declares an emergency to expedite the funding transfer. This policy change specifically provides dedicated state funding for school safety mapping initiatives, directly affecting school districts eligible for these grants.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $4.525M from General Fund for school safety mapping grants, funding essential public service program per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $4.525M for school safety mapping systems via State Department of Education, directly funding school infrastructure and emergency planning.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 429: Provide requirements and restrictions for school boards relating to professional employees’ organizations

LB 429 requires Nebraska school boards to provide equal access to school employees' mailboxes, meetings, and posting spaces for all professional employees' organizations (like teacher unions or professional development groups). It mandates that if one organization is allowed to recruit at employee events, display information, or post materials in school spaces, all similar organizations must receive the same access. The bill also prohibits school boards from naming school calendar days or breaks after any professional employees' organization. This applies to all school employees, including teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals, and aims to ensure fair treatment among competing professional groups.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures equal access for teacher unions to school spaces, supporting educator organizational rights without funding changes95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates equal access for professional employee organizations (e.g., teacher unions) to school spaces, directly supporting collective bargaining rights under Labor & Employment policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 570: Provide for scholarships for nursing students

Nebraska's LB 570 creates a scholarship program for nursing students, providing $2,500 per semester to eligible students enrolled in approved nursing programs. To qualify, students must reside in Nebraska, enroll in an approved associate, diploma, certificate, or accelerated bachelor's nursing program, and agree to work as a nurse in Nebraska for two years after graduation. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to administer the program, with the Legislature intending to appropriate $5 million for fiscal year 2025-26. This policy directly affects nursing students in Nebraska seeking financial support in exchange for a commitment to work in the state's healthcare sector.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for nursing scholarships, constituting government spending under budget management. Directly funds an essential program via appropriations.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates $2,500/semester nursing scholarships, increasing higher education funding and access for students in approved programs, aligning with educational support indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nursing education to increase healthcare workforce, directly strengthening provider availability and access to health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Healthcare Workforce

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 549: Allow a school board to employ a chaplain, including in a volunteer capacity, at a school

Nebraska's LB 549 allows school boards to hire chaplains - licensed by their religious organization - to provide student support services like emotional or behavioral health assistance, without requiring a teaching certificate. Chaplains may serve as paid or volunteer staff, but must pass a criminal background check and comply with school policies developed by the board. The bill explicitly states this employment does not endorse any religion and exempts chaplains from standard teacher certification rules under Nebraska law. It affects all Nebraska public school districts and directly impacts students receiving non-academic support services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows chaplains to provide student support services like emotional health, enhancing non-academic student programs under education policy.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly allows chaplains to provide emotional/behavioral health services, supporting mental health access in schools as part of student support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Teachers

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 624: Appropriate funds to the State Treasurer for education scholarships

LB 624 allocates $10 million annually from Nebraska's General Fund for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to the State Treasurer for education scholarships. The funds must be used exclusively to provide scholarships to low-income and at-risk elementary and secondary students to attend approved private, denominational, or parochial schools. The bill specifies these scholarships aim to increase educational access and opportunities, with the legislature intending to continue this annual appropriation. This is a funding measure, not a new policy, directly affecting eligible students and participating schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $10M annually from General Fund for education scholarships, increasing state funding for low-income student access to private schools, directly advancing budget allocation for educational programs.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $10M annually for low-income student scholarships to private schools, explicitly aiming to increase educational access and opportunities for K-12 students.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 11: Appropriate funds for the Nebraska Statewide Workforce and Education Reporting System Act

This bill allocates $130,893 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $179,795 for 2026-27 from the General Fund to four Nebraska education entities (State Department of Education, Nebraska State Colleges, University of Nebraska, and community colleges via the Coordinating Commission) to support the existing Nebraska Statewide Workforce and Education Reporting System. It provides specific funding for these programs without creating new requirements or policies. The funds will be used to maintain and operate the reporting system that tracks workforce and education data across the state. This is a straightforward funding measure, not a substantive policy change.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $130k/$179k from General Fund to maintain education reporting system, advancing fiscal support for public education infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $130k-$179k to education entities for reporting system maintenance, supporting operational continuity without new requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 678: State intent regarding appropriations to the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges

LB 678 allocates specific funds from Nebraska's General Fund for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to cover mandated costs for Nebraska State Colleges employees. It directly affects employees covered by the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, the State College Education Association, and the Nebraska State College System Professional Association. The bill provides funding for required salary increases from union agreements, minimum wage adjustments under the Wage and Hour Act, and rising health insurance premiums. This is a funding measure, not a new policy, ensuring colleges can meet existing financial obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state General Fund dollars for mandated employee costs including salary increases and healthcare, directly funding essential budget obligations for public colleges.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates funds for mandated salary increases and employee costs at Nebraska State Colleges, directly supporting higher education funding and staff compensation.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds mandated salary increases from union agreements and minimum wage adjustments under Wage and Hour Act, directly supporting worker compensation and collective bargaining agreements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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