Education (Early Childhood)

in committee · Nebraska · Legislature Aug 28, 2026

LR 472: Interim study to examine federally funded Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start programs and to provide state policy recommendations in support of such programs

This legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Education Committee to conduct an interim study on federally funded Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The study will examine how these programs operate in Nebraska, review their history and funding sources, and assess staffing challenges and compliance with federal background check requirements. It will also compare Nebraska's approach with strategies used in other states to support early childhood education. The committee is tasked with reporting its findings and policy recommendations to the Legislature after completing the study.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill directs study of Head Start programs to improve early childhood education access and identify best practices for state support75% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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passed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 10, 2026

LR 296: Urge the President of the United States and members of Congress to make permanent changes to the Child and Adult Food Programs

Nebraska's legislature passed Legislative Resolution 296 urging the U.S. President and Congress to permanently extend higher meal reimbursements for childcare centers under the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program. Specifically, it requests making permanent the 2022 Keep Kids Fed Act provisions that provide family day care homes with Tier I reimbursement rates (instead of lower Tier II) and an additional 10 cents per meal. This would directly support Nebraska's 1,283 participating childcare programs serving 23,695 low-income children, ensuring continued access to nutritious meals after current federal funding expired in 2023. The resolution has no binding effect but formally requests federal action.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill seeks permanent higher meal reimbursements for childcare centers under federal food program, directly supporting early childhood education access and funding for providers.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks permanent funding for childcare nutrition programs (Child and Adult Food Program), directly supporting public health initiatives through meal reimbursement increases for child care centers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 94: Adopt the Digital Skills Empowerment Act and change the use of the Workforce Development Program Cash Fund

LB 94 adopts the Digital Skills Empowerment Act to expand digital skills training in Nebraska's underserved communities. It directly affects residents in qualified census tracts (including North Omaha) and returning prisoners by providing grants for training centers ($20M/year) and covering costs like tuition and childcare for low-income individuals ($20M/year). The bill establishes standardized curricula, partnerships with tech companies, and paid apprenticeships ($10M/year) to develop job skills in fields like web development and cybersecurity. Key provisions require training centers to offer virtual/in-person options and ensure industry-aligned programs to increase local employment opportunities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $50M/year for digital skills training grants, tuition, childcare, and apprenticeships targeting underserved communities, directly expanding educational access and workforce development opportunities.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds digital skills training, covers tuition/childcare, and creates paid apprenticeships to boost employment opportunities in underserved communities and for returning prisoners.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds digital skills training, tech company partnerships, and apprenticeships to expand tech workforce access in underserved communities, promoting digital equity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Workforce Development Cybersecurity

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 162: Adopt the Child Care Safety and Security Act

This bill requires licensed child care and early education programs (including for-profit, nonprofit, Head Start, and Early Head Start programs) to implement emergency safety plans and notification systems similar to those in schools. It creates a state fund to provide competitive grants to local agencies for emergency notification systems, safety training, and materials to support safe reunification of children during emergencies. The grants, capped at $1,000 annually per agency service, will help programs prepare for threats like fires, intruders, or weather events. The State Department of Education must report annually on grant usage and program participation without disclosing specific child care facility details.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates state fund for safety grants in early education programs, enhancing student safety and operational support within educational settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 500: Create the School Financing Review Commission

Nebraska's LB 500 creates a 21-member School Financing Review Commission to examine and recommend improvements to public school funding. The commission includes education officials, legislators, school board members, teachers, and diverse community representatives from across the state. It will review alternatives to property tax reliance (like income or sales tax components), funding for pre-K, career programs, and student needs (including poverty and limited English proficiency), and infrastructure costs. The commission must submit a preliminary report by November 2025 and a final report with recommendations by December 2025, followed by annual reports on funding adequacy starting in 2028. This bill directly affects all Nebraska public elementary and secondary schools and their students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates commission to review and recommend improvements to school funding, including alternatives to property tax, pre-K, career programs, and student needs like poverty.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood School Funding

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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 149: Eliminate the prohibition on suspending a student in prekindergarten through second grade

Nebraska bill LB 149 removes a legal prohibition that previously prevented schools from suspending students in prekindergarten through second grade. The bill amends sections 79-263, 79-265, and 79-267 of Nebraska law to eliminate this restriction, allowing schools to apply existing discipline policies - including short-term suspensions up to five days - to students in these early grades. It specifically repeals the prior restriction (section 79-265.01) and harmonizes related statutes. The change directly affects pre-K through second-grade students and their schools, enabling consistent application of discipline procedures across all grade levels.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill removes prohibition on suspending pre-K-2 students, enabling disciplinary actions that limit educational access for young learners in early grades.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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