Rep. Ashlei Spivey

Maddy summaryLB 571 requires Nebraska public power districts with defined benefit retirement plans to provide annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to certain retirees starting January 1, 2026. The COLA must match the annual adjustment determined by the federal Social Security Administration. This applies specifically to retirees who are not eligible for Social Security benefits. The bill directly affects public power district retirees in Nebraska whose retirement plans are defined benefit plans, ensuring their benefits keep pace with inflation as measured by Social Security's annual adjustment.

Maddy summaryLB 441 allows local governments in Nebraska to permit virtual inspections for certain residential building projects (under three stories and 10,000 square feet) instead of requiring in-person visits. It requires permit applicants to list onsite workers and mandates that inspections be conducted live via video unless the inspection is nonstructural (using photos/video instead). The bill also requires that inspection records - showing pass/fail results and reasons for failures - be made publicly available online if the building remains standing. This directly affects homeowners, builders, and local building departments by changing how inspections are conducted and recorded.

Maddy summaryLB 586 requires Nebraska election officials to create plans ensuring voting access for eligible voters who cannot travel to in-person polling places due to residence in facilities like jails, nursing homes, or hospitals. It mandates that county clerks coordinate with facility staff to provide voter information, facilitate registration and ballot delivery, and establish clear processes for returning ballots (e.g., via two non-partisan voters). The bill specifies that plans must include voter ID details, registration verification options, and ballot curing procedures, with failure to comply resulting in civil penalties for the county. This directly affects election administrators, facility operators, and approximately 10,000+ Nebraskans living in such facilities who face voting barriers.

Maddy summaryLB 438 permits authorized racetrack gaming operators in Nebraska to offer sports wagering through online platforms, expanding current in-person betting options. It directly affects licensed racetracks, their operators, and Nebraskans who place sports bets online. Key provisions define "online sports wagering platform" and require such betting to operate under the existing Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act framework, with wagers only accepted from residents within the state. The bill also modifies how taxes collected from sports wagering are distributed, though specific tax percentages are not detailed in the provided text.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 256 adopts the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact, creating a commission to coordinate passenger rail development across participating Midwest states. The commission, composed of state-appointed members including a Governor's designee, a private-sector representative, and two legislators from each state, will advocate for funding, develop long-term rail plans, and coordinate with federal and local entities. This bill directly affects state transportation officials and agencies in Nebraska and other Midwest states (like Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota) that join the compact. It establishes a formal structure for regional collaboration on rail projects but does not create new rail infrastructure or funding directly.

Maddy summaryLB 14, the Hunger-Free Schools Act, requires all Nebraska public and nonprofit private schools participating in federal meal programs to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student during the school day. It replaces previous reimbursement systems by having the State Department of Education reimburse schools for meals that would otherwise cost students (like reduced-price or full-price meals), based on differences between federal free-meal rates and standard rates. Schools with high poverty rates (62.5% or more students eligible for free meals) must use the federal "community eligibility" program to maximize funding. This directly affects school districts and participating private schools, ensuring all students receive free meals while aligning state funding with federal nutrition program rules.

Maddy summaryLB 440, the Education Leave and Support Act, creates a state fund to help school districts cover costs when teachers take federal medical leave (FMLA). It requires school districts to collect a 0.35% payroll fee from certificated teachers' wages (with employers matching this amount), which funds the State Education Leave Fund. This fund reimburses school districts for hiring substitutes during the first six weeks of a teacher's FMLA leave, ensuring teachers don’t need to use personal or sick leave during that period. Any surplus funds over 20% of annual needs will transfer to an Education Retention Fund to address teacher shortages and support professional development. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, with reimbursements starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryLB 578 requires city and county jails and Nebraska's Department of Correctional Services to pay incarcerated individuals the state minimum wage for work performed in correctional facilities. It mandates that administrators establish bank accounts for inmates to receive their wages, replaces outdated wage distribution rules, and ensures inmate labor complies with federal workplace safety standards. The bill also clarifies that inmates' wages cannot displace existing workers or violate local pay standards for similar work. These changes apply to all inmates working in jails or state correctional facilities, directly affecting their compensation and financial management.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 584 changes sentencing for juveniles (under 18) convicted of felonies. It establishes new minimum and maximum prison terms for Class IA through IIA felonies, such as 20-50 years for Class IA offenses. The bill requires courts to consider specific mitigating factors like the defendant's age, family environment, mental health evaluations, and developmental history before sentencing. This replaces previous sentencing rules and harmonizes juvenile sentencing with Nebraska's Juvenile Code, allowing courts to use juvenile disposition options instead of standard penalties.

Maddy summaryLB 283 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to implement "express lane eligibility" for Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollment by using existing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) data. This means eligible children who already receive SNAP benefits will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP without needing separate applications, covering initial applications, renewals, and automatic updates. The bill directs the state to submit federal plan amendments by October 2025, with implementation starting January 1, 2026. It specifically affects children in SNAP households who qualify for medical assistance programs. The policy change streamlines enrollment by leveraging existing federal data sharing.