Rep. Merv Riepe

Maddy summaryLB 366 creates a Legislative Economic Analysis Unit within Nebraska's Legislature and appoints a Chief Economist to provide independent economic reviews of state regulations. The unit must determine if agency rules are "major" (affecting $1 million+ economy over five years or competition/employment) and conduct cost-benefit analyses for these rules, including direct costs, revenue impacts, and opportunity costs. State agencies must submit proposed rules for this review, and major rules cannot take effect without 60 days of legislative consideration. The bill directly affects state agencies that draft regulations and gives lawmakers detailed economic data to inform their decisions.

Maddy summaryLB 554 creates the Nebraska Health Professions Commission to review applications for new health professions or changes to scope of practice for existing regulated health professions. The commission will evaluate proposals using criteria including public health impacts, workforce shortages, healthcare quality, access, and patient affordability, while holding public hearings. It replaces previous "technical committees," requires co-chairs from public health and population health research, and must submit annual reports to the Legislature by October 1. The bill allocates $300,000 annually for the commission, including $100,000 to fund data collection through the University of Nebraska Medical Center's Health Professions Tracking Service.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 211 amends the Property Tax Growth Limitation Act to change how local governments (like cities and counties) calculate their annual property tax increase limit. It establishes a base limit using the prior year's property taxes minus exemptions, then allows additional increases based on either the local government's growth rate or inflation (with a 2% minimum for most entities). If public safety services (like police/fire) make up 20% or more of property tax-funded spending, the inflation-based increase uses a 0% floor; otherwise, it uses a 2% floor. The bill repeals the existing calculation method and takes effect immediately upon approval.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 210 establishes fees for healthcare providers and organizations to access the state's prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) and health information exchange. It requires pharmacies to report all prescription drug data daily (except for emergency or immunization-related prescriptions) and mandates that doctors, pharmacies, and health information exchanges pay access fees to view this data. The bill also clarifies that patient data remains confidential, with limited exceptions for authorized providers and health exchanges. These fee structures aim to fund the system while maintaining data privacy standards under federal law.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Nebraska's Property Tax Growth Limitation Act and School District Property Tax Relief Act. It changes how municipalities and school districts calculate annual property tax limits by revising formulas for "allowable growth" (accounting for new construction, annexation, and inflation) and adjusting budget calculation methods. The bill also updates rules for municipal occupation taxes, property tax statements, and allows counties to retain certain funds for costs under the School District Property Tax Relief Act. These changes directly affect local governments, school districts, and county treasurers in managing property tax revenues. The bill amends specific statutes (13-518, 13-3403, etc.) but does not alter the underlying tax rates or revenue collection mechanisms.

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 summaryNebraska's LB 553 expands eligibility under the Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act to include dietitian nutritionist students and professionals in loan programs. It adds "dietitian nutritionist program" to qualifying education pathways for student loans and includes dietitian nutritionists in the loan repayment program, with a $15,000 annual cap and $45,000 lifetime maximum for full-time practice in designated health shortage areas. The bill also requires the commission to designate shortage areas specifically for dietitian nutritionist practice and mandates that recipients agree to practice in these areas and accept Medicaid patients. This change harmonizes dietitian nutritionist provisions with existing categories like physicians and mental health practitioners. The bill was amended into LB 312 before passing.

Maddy summaryLB 556 would change Nebraska's juvenile justice system by lowering the age threshold for certain serious crimes to be heard in adult court (from 14 to 12 years old for Class I-IIA felonies). It requires courts to hold transfer hearings within 15 days if a minor requests juvenile court jurisdiction, and defines "detention" under juvenile law. The bill also clarifies that mental health statements made for transfer hearings cannot be used against defendants in adult trials, though they may be used in juvenile proceedings or sentencing. These changes aim to standardize jurisdiction procedures between juvenile and adult courts.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Health and Human Services Committee to conduct an interim study of managed care organizations that administer Medicaid services for low-income residents, children, seniors, and disabled individuals. The study will examine three main areas: prior authorization processes including approval times and appeal procedures, coding and downcoding practices that affect provider reimbursement, and the overall structure of contracts with the three managed care organizations currently in use. The committee will review how these organizations handle claims, use artificial intelligence in coding decisions, and manage patient stays, then submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature. This action does not change existing laws but establishes a review process to address concerns about transparency, timeliness, and consistency in healthcare administration.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs the Health and Human Services Committee to conduct an interim study on barriers preventing Nebraskans, especially those in rural areas, from accessing timely health care. The study will examine specific challenges such as transportation limitations, work schedules, housing instability, and food insecurity that impact care access. It will also review practical solutions like transportation coordination, reimbursement models, and policy options from other states to improve care delivery. The committee will submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature upon completion of the study.