Rep. Woody Wordekemper

Maddy summaryLB 337 amends Nebraska state laws to clarify and update regulations for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility-type vehicles (UTVs). It authorizes county governments to create local rules governing where and how these vehicles operate, including on certain public highways. The bill defines specific size, weight, and tire requirements for ATVs and UTVs, changes registration processes and fees under the Motor Vehicle Registration Act, and updates safety standards to align with current Nebraska traffic rules. These changes directly affect county officials, ATV/UTV owners, and operators who use these vehicles on public roads outside city limits.

Maddy summaryLB 304 removes the expiration date (sunset) for Nebraska's participation in the federal Child Care Subsidy program, making the program permanent beyond its current September 30, 2026, deadline. It directly affects low-income families with children who qualify for child care assistance based on income thresholds (up to 185% of the federal poverty level before October 1, 2026, or 130% after). The bill maintains existing eligibility rules, including transitional assistance for families exceeding income limits, and ensures funding comes from federal Child Care Development Block Grant funds rather than state general funds. It does not change income levels or subsidy structures but extends the program's duration indefinitely.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Nebraska's Emergency Medical Services Practice Act to update the duties of the Board of Emergency Medical Services. It requires the Board to collect specific data on EMS service metrics - including call volumes, response times, patient demographics, and provider numbers - and submit annual reports to the Legislature. The Board must also conduct a comprehensive five-year review of EMS services and develop communication plans for emergency care providers. These changes directly affect the Board's operations and the state's EMS providers by standardizing data collection and reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryLB 338 prohibits Nebraska life, disability, and long-term care insurers from denying coverage, charging higher premiums, or limiting benefits based on genetic information collected during medical treatment. It does not stop insurers from using clinical diagnoses from medical records or asking about family health history during underwriting. The bill aims to remove barriers to genetic testing by ensuring such information cannot impact insurance eligibility. Exceptions allow insurers to review standard medical records and consider diagnosed conditions, but not genetic data gathered for health care purposes.

Maddy summaryLB 158 requires Nebraska health insurance plans and pharmacy benefit managers to count all payments made by patients (or others on their behalf) toward their annual out-of-pocket maximum. This includes copays, deductibles, and costs for services like prescriptions, ensuring all such payments reduce the yearly limit patients must pay before full coverage kicks in. The law applies to new or renewed health plans after January 1, 2026, with a limited exception for health savings accounts that must first meet a minimum deductible before counting toward the maximum (though preventive care always counts). It directly affects health plan enrollees by clarifying how their out-of-pocket costs are calculated.

Maddy summaryLB 62 appropriates $19 million from the General Fund for fiscal year 2025-26 to the Department of Administrative Services. The funds must be used to provide portable/mobile radios, programming, installation, and training for volunteer departments (like fire and rescue teams) to connect to the Statewide Radio System. Eligible departments receive grants with no fees for equipment or training, based on their needs and size, and all funds must be distributed by June 30, 2028. This bill directly supports volunteer departments by improving emergency communications interoperability with state agencies.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 400 expands the state's Workers' Compensation Act to cover specific cancers diagnosed in firefighters as occupational diseases. It directly affects professional and volunteer firefighters with five or more years of service, creating a rebuttable presumption that certain cancers (like lung, leukemia, or bladder cancer) are work-related if linked to exposure to listed carcinogens - such as diesel exhaust, formaldehyde, or asbestos - during firefighting duties. The bill specifies 25 cancer types and their associated carcinogens, and establishes a presumption for active firefighters diagnosed during employment, plus a 60-month window post-retirement for retired firefighters. This eliminates the need for complex proof of causation in covered cases, streamlining compensation claims for affected firefighters.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Maddy summaryLB 435 amends Nebraska's Conveyance Safety Act to update safety rules for elevators, escalators, and similar equipment. It eliminates the process for granting "variances" but replaces it with "equivalency requests" allowing alternative safety solutions when approved by the State Fire Marshal. The bill clarifies which conveyances are exempt (like agricultural equipment and certain industrial machinery) and adjusts inspection requirements, including removing periodic inspections for elevators in private homes in smaller counties. These changes primarily affect elevator contractors, building owners, and safety inspectors who must follow updated regulations.

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.