Education (K-12 Education)

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 960: Provide a requirement to include nonvoting student members on school boards

LB 960 requires Nebraska public school boards to include nonvoting student members equal in number to elected board members. These student members must be high school students in grades 10-12, selected through school-approved processes like elections or nominations, and serve one-year terms. They attend all public school board meetings, receive meeting materials, and can advocate for student concerns but cannot vote, access confidential information, or attend closed sessions. School boards must adopt implementation policies by January 1, 2027, to establish these student roles. The bill directly affects all Nebraska school districts with high schools and aims to enhance student voice in educational decision-making.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates student representation on school boards to advocate for student concerns, enhancing student voice in K-12 educational decision-making.92% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety Student Health

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1054: Appropriate funds to the State Department of Education for grants for cybersecurity products and services

Nebraska's LB 1054 appropriates $250,000 from the General Fund for Fiscal Year 2026-27 to the State Department of Education. This funding creates a grant program to help school districts, educational service units, and approved private or parochial schools purchase cybersecurity products and services. The bill directly affects K-12 schools across Nebraska by providing financial support for cybersecurity measures. The key provision is the allocation of specific funds for grants, not general funding, to address cybersecurity needs in educational institutions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $250k from General Fund for school cybersecurity grants, directly funding essential public education services through targeted budget appropriation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $250k for cybersecurity grants to K-12 schools, strengthening educational infrastructure and security measures.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAllocates $250k for school cybersecurity grants, directly enhancing digital security measures per bill's funding purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget K-12 Education Cybersecurity

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1201: Provide for a grant program related to classroom libraries and engagement materials

LB 1201 creates a grant program for Nebraska elementary school classrooms to provide high-quality, age-appropriate books and monthly parent engagement materials. It prioritizes schools with high poverty rates (40%+ students), low academic performance, or significant reading deficiencies among K-5 students. The program, funded with up to $1 million annually from the Education Future Fund, requires book distribution in English and Spanish, classroom tracking of book usage, and monthly materials for caregivers. Schools must report on outcomes by December 2028 using reading assessment data. This directly affects participating elementary schools and their students, focusing on literacy support through classroom resources and family engagement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1M from Education Future Fund for classroom library grants, increasing state funding for public education services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates grant program funding classroom libraries and parent materials for high-need K-5 schools, prioritizing poverty/reading deficiencies with $1M annual funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Libraries Testing & Assessment

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1039: Prohibit school resource officers and security guards from using corporal punishment

LB 1039 prohibits school resource officers and security guards in Nebraska public schools from administering corporal punishment to students. The bill requires schools to establish written agreements with these personnel that include mandatory 20-hour training on de-escalation, implicit bias, student rights, and trauma-informed practices. It also mandates schools to maintain records of student referrals to law enforcement and establish clear policies for notifying parents and advising students of their rights during questioning. The bill directly affects all K-12 schools employing resource officers or security guards, extending prohibitions on corporal punishment to these roles.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits school resource officers (law enforcement) from corporal punishment and mandates de-escalation/implicit bias training, aligning with criminal justice reform by reducing excessive force and promoting accountability.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits corporal punishment and mandates trauma-informed training for school personnel, promoting student safety and well-being in K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement K-12 Education School Safety

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1034: Prohibit school staff from allowing federal immigration enforcement officers to access schools without a judicial warrant

Nebraska's LB 1034 prohibits school staff, contractors, and agents from allowing federal immigration enforcement officers access to school grounds or students for immigration enforcement purposes without a valid judicial warrant. The bill defines a "valid judicial warrant" as one issued by a judge or magistrate specifically authorizing the requested access, excluding immigration detainers or administrative documents. It explicitly allows schools to comply with valid judicial warrants, court orders, or respond to immediate threats to health or safety. This law directly affects all public K-12 schools in Nebraska and their employees by requiring federal immigration officers to obtain a court-issued warrant before entering school facilities for enforcement actions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student access to schools by preventing immigration enforcement without judicial warrant, aligning with educational access under topic description.75% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits school cooperation with federal immigration enforcement without judicial warrant, limiting state complicity in enforcement actions95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 937: Adopt the Prior Learning Act and the K-12 Education Cybersecurity Act and change provisions relating to student transfers, school absences, option enrollment, extracurricular activities, reports, school employment, the improvement grant program, monitoring or providing instruction, deadlines, the Nebraska Teacher Apprenticeship Program, the Nebraska Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act, and the College Pathway Program Act

LB 937 amends Nebraska education laws to clarify processes for option school enrollment, reading support, and dyslexia services. It requires school districts to provide written reasons for rejecting enrollment applications - including specific details about unmet disability-related accommodations for students with IEPs or diagnosed disabilities - and mandates annual reports on rejected applications to the state education department. The bill also updates teacher apprenticeship and recruitment programs, modifies the College Pathway Program, and removes outdated sections about solar/wind grants and evaluation models. These changes aim to standardize reporting and streamline administrative processes for school districts and families.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies enrollment processes for students with disabilities, mandates written reasons for rejections, and updates teacher recruitment/retention programs, strengthening educational access and support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Teachers

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 862: Change intent relating to appropriations under the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act

This bill amends Nebraska's Reading Improvement Act to clarify funding for evidence-based reading instruction. It specifies that $2 million annually from the Education Future Fund will be allocated for regional coaches and teacher training (for kindergarten through third grade) during fiscal year 2026-27, replacing prior language covering 2024-25 through 2029-30. The funding supports professional development for teachers in approved schools and early childhood programs. It directly affects schools, teachers, and the State Department of Education by mandating specific annual funding for literacy training programs. The change updates the appropriation timeline but does not alter the program's core requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $2M annually from Education Future Fund for teacher training/coaches (K-3), directly funding an essential education program through specific appropriation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $2M annually for K-3 teacher training and regional coaches under Reading Improvement Act, directly funding evidence-based instruction and educator development in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations K-12 Education Teachers

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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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signed · Nebraska · Legislature May 1, 2025

LB 428: Change provisions relating to school policies on the involvement of parents, guardians, and educational decisionmakers in schools

LB 428 requires Nebraska school districts to notify parents or guardians 15 days before administering surveys asking students about sensitive topics like sexual health, mental health, medical issues, substance use (drugs/vape/alcohol/tobacco), or political/religious views. Parents gain the right to review surveys in person, receive a copy, or opt their child out of participation. The bill specifically prohibits schools from surveying students in kindergarten through sixth grade about sexual health. It applies directly to all public school districts and families with K-12 students in Nebraska.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts school surveys on sensitive topics without parental consent, limiting school autonomy in curriculum-related data collection and student assessments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 173: Appropriate funds for aid to community colleges and state intent

This bill appropriates $13.06 million for fiscal year 2025-26 and $14.06 million for fiscal year 2026-27 from the General Fund to support dual enrollment programs at Nebraska community colleges. Funds must be distributed based on each college's reported dual-credit course enrollment data, with the goal of reducing tuition costs for high school students taking college courses. The legislation explicitly states these funds may only be used to discount tuition for dual-enrollment courses that count toward both high school graduation and college credit. It directly affects community colleges and high school students participating in dual-credit programs across Nebraska.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $13.06M/$14.06M from General Fund to fund dual enrollment tuition discounts, advancing public education spending under state budget95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $13.06M/$14.06M for dual enrollment tuition discounts, directly expanding access to higher education for K-12 students through increased funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education K-12 Education

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