Rep. Beau Ballard

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $15 million in state funding to cities with populations over 50,000 and their surrounding counties for road projects connecting local highways to the interstate system. It requires these cities and counties to submit annual reports tracking grant usage and repay any unused funds to the state. The grants specifically fund infrastructure projects that link city roads to the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. The funding is allocated for fiscal year 2025-26, with the bill declared an emergency to expedite implementation.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 193 creates a new "Committee on Pacific Conflict" to prepare for potential regional or global conflicts centered on the Pacific theater. The committee, consisting of seven voting members (including state officials like the Homeland Security Director and infrastructure representatives) and four non-voting legislative members, will assess threats to supply chains, critical infrastructure, and security - particularly disruptions involving China or other Pacific nations. It mandates quarterly meetings (with security exemptions from public records), requires an annual state threat assessment from the Governor, and allows for confidential reports on security vulnerabilities. The bill directly affects state officials, critical infrastructure operators, and emergency planning efforts within Nebraska.

Maddy summaryLB 463 requires Nebraska school districts to develop cardiac emergency response plans for sudden cardiac arrests during school activities. These plans must include specific elements like a response team, automated defibrillator placement, staff training (including CPR and AED use), annual drills, and coordination with emergency services, based on American Heart Association standards. The bill directs the State Department of Education to provide grants from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund to cover costs for these plans. It amends school safety laws to integrate cardiac response planning into existing safety reporting requirements, affecting all public school districts in Nebraska. The funding mechanism ensures grants are available without diverting other Medicaid resources.

Maddy summaryLB 713 amends Nebraska's School Employees Retirement Act by removing the specific definition of "prior service" and harmonizing related provisions. It directly affects current and future Nebraska public school employees covered by this retirement system. The bill updates key definitions for retirement calculations, including how compensation, creditable service, and actuarial equivalency are determined. These changes aim to simplify the system's rules without altering benefit formulas or eligibility for retirees.

Maddy summaryLB 26 would expand legal protections against assault to include all employees at hospitals and health clinics, not just licensed medical staff like doctors or nurses. It redefines "health care professional" in Nebraska's assault statutes to explicitly cover non-clinical workers such as receptionists, administrative staff, and support personnel. This change ensures that anyone working in these facilities - regardless of their specific role - would be protected under existing laws for assault against healthcare workers. The bill directly affects thousands of frontline healthcare employees who previously may not have been explicitly included in these legal safeguards.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee to conduct an interim study on wireless connectivity issues in Nebraska. The study will examine policies related to fees and costs that wireless providers face when seeking permits to install infrastructure in municipalities and other jurisdictions. The resolution specifically looks at how high permit fees, consultant charges, and upfront retainer requirements may impact the deployment of wireless networks needed to meet growing public demand for mobile data services. The committee will review practices used by other states and federal regulations to gather findings and recommendations for potential future legislation. This action is intended to inform future policy decisions rather than immediately changing existing laws.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Health and Human Services Committee to conduct an interim study on the state's prescription drug monitoring program. The study will examine how the program is governed and operated, with a specific focus on its connection to the health information exchange system. The committee will produce a report containing findings and recommendations for the Legislative Council or the full Legislature once the study is complete. This action is intended to gather information about the current system rather than to enact immediate policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs the Health and Human Services Committee to conduct an interim study on a "stair-stepping" approach to public assistance eligibility in Nebraska. The study would examine whether gradually reducing benefits as recipients earn more income could help lower long-term dependency, reduce administrative costs, and encourage work advancement without creating financial penalties. The resolution also asks the committee to assess how this method might benefit recipients by preventing sudden benefit losses, providing financial stability, and reducing stress associated with abrupt changes in aid. The committee is required to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature upon completion of the study.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee to conduct an interim study examining Nebraska's highway funding structure and recommending possible alternatives to traditional methods. The study will analyze current funding sources, the effectiveness of the fuel tax, how the Department of Transportation has managed lower revenues and higher costs, the impact on local governments, and alternative funding models used by other states such as vehicle miles traveled systems or tolling. The committee will report its findings and recommendations to the Legislative Council or Legislature upon completion of the study.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LB 771) requires transportation network companies (like ride-hailing apps) in Nebraska to clearly disclose dynamic pricing (surge pricing) before a passenger requests a ride. Companies must show a visible indicator of dynamic pricing, get explicit passenger confirmation, and provide a fare estimator showing estimated costs. During a state of emergency declared by the Governor, dynamic pricing is permitted unless the Governor specifically prohibits it in the emergency proclamation. The bill applies directly to ride-hailing companies and their passengers in Nebraska, replacing previous rules about pricing transparency.