Rep. Bob Hallstrom

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Nebraska's Workers' Compensation Act to clarify how settlement money from third-party injury claims is distributed. It directly affects injured workers, their families, employers, and workers' compensation insurers. Key provisions require that after deducting recovery costs: one-third of remaining funds go to the employee, then insurers are reimbursed for past/future compensation payments, and any leftover funds go to the employee. The changes replace older rules to create a clearer, standardized process for splitting settlement proceeds.

Maddy summaryLB 455 would require injury reports filed under Nebraska's Workers' Compensation Act to be kept confidential by default, meaning they cannot be publicly accessed. Employees can choose to waive this confidentiality to allow public access to their specific reports, and this waiver remains in effect even if they change jobs. The bill specifies who may access these reports without waiver, including the affected employee, their attorney, the employer or insurer involved, certain attorneys handling related claims, or government agencies compiling statistics (with employee identities redacted). It does not change the types of injuries requiring reporting but clarifies who can view the reports under specific circumstances. The bill is currently postponed indefinitely in the Nebraska legislature.

Maddy summaryLB 555 creates a new "assistant funeral director" role under Nebraska's Funeral Directing and Embalming Practice Act. To qualify, individuals must pass a Nebraska law exam and work under a licensed funeral director through a formal written agreement. Assistants may help with funeral arrangements, family consultations, and daily operations but cannot perform embalming. The bill updates licensing rules to include this role, repeals outdated sections, and adds disciplinary measures for violations like unauthorized embalming.

Maddy summaryThis Nebraska bill (LB 515) amends pharmacy rules to establish clear procedures for pharmacists to provide emergency prescription refills when doctors cannot be contacted. It allows pharmacists to dispense up to a 30-day supply (or the previous refill amount, whichever is less) for non-controlled maintenance medications under specific conditions: the refill must be for ongoing treatment, the pharmacist must verify the prescription through records or a database, and the pharmacist must judge that interrupting therapy would harm the patient. The bill directly affects pharmacists and patients who need urgent access to ongoing medications like diabetes or blood pressure drugs. It does not change standard refill rules but creates a defined emergency process to prevent treatment gaps.

Maddy summaryBased on the provided bill text, there is a significant discrepancy between the bill's title and the actual content. The title claims to address inheritance taxes, fee/tax provisions, and data center sales tax exemptions, but the bill text exclusively amends the Securities Act of Nebraska (focusing on securities regulation, director authority, and fund management). The text describes administrative changes to securities registration, creates the Securities Act Cash Fund, and mandates specific fund transfers to the General Fund and counties - none of which relate to inheritance taxes or data center tax exemptions as stated in the title. Since the provided text does not cover the provisions mentioned in the title, a factual summary matching the title cannot be created from this context.

Maddy summaryLB 79 allows defendants in civil cases involving commercial motor vehicles (requiring a commercial driver's license) to request dismissal of negligence claims against them if they agree the alleged negligent driver was their employee or contractor acting within their duties. If the defendant makes this stipulation and the driver’s negligence causes damages, the case would proceed solely under "respondeat superior" (meaning the employer is liable for the employee’s or contractor’s actions). The bill directly affects commercial vehicle operators (like trucking companies) by changing how negligence claims against them are handled. It does not alter liability rules but streamlines cases where the defendant’s role as employer/contractor is clear.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 693 amends the state's deceptive trade practices law to prohibit receiving compensation for certain conduct related to veterans benefits assistance. Specifically, it makes it illegal for anyone to charge fees for helping veterans navigate benefits applications or referrals if that conduct misleads or deceives veterans. The bill defines terms and adds this prohibition to the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, directly affecting third-party assistance providers who charge fees for veterans benefits support. This change aims to prevent deceptive practices by requiring transparency in veterans benefits assistance services.

Maddy summaryNebraska'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.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution congratulates Hadley Mazzulla of Auburn for winning the 2026 Nebraska School Activities Association Class B Girls State Wrestling Championship in the 105-pound weight class. The bill formally recognizes her athletic achievement and acknowledges the support of her teachers, administrators, parents, and community members. A copy of the resolution will be sent directly to Hadley Mazzulla as a gesture of appreciation for her accomplishment. This is a commemorative measure that does not change any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution congratulates Haylee Trew of Johnson County Central High School for winning the 2026 Nebraska School Activities Association Class B Girls State 100-pound Wrestling Championship. The bill directs the Legislature to formally recognize her athletic achievement and authorizes sending a copy of the resolution to her. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of her accomplishment in the state wrestling competition.