Rep. Jana Hughes

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Nebraska's tax on electronic nicotine delivery systems (e-cigarettes) based on their liquid capacity. Retailers and manufacturers will pay $0.05 per milliliter for devices holding 3ml or less, or 40% of the purchase price for larger devices. The tax applies when products enter the state for sale or are sold to consumers. This modifies existing tax rules under the Tobacco Products Tax Act without altering the overall tax structure.

Maddy summaryLB 309 requires producers of covered batteries (like small consumer electronics) to join approved recycling programs by 2028 and mandates clear labeling on batteries by 2029 to show chemistry and proper disposal instructions. It directly affects battery manufacturers and retailers selling products containing portable or medium-format batteries (excluding medical devices, car batteries, and non-removable batteries). The law creates a system where producers fund recycling through designated organizations, tracks collection and recycling rates, and prohibits selling unmarked batteries. This aims to ensure safe disposal and recycling while exempting certain batteries like those in medical devices or vehicles.

Maddy summaryLB 125 expands Nebraska's Tobacco Products Tax Act to regulate "alternative nicotine products" and nicotine analogues. It defines these as noncombustible nicotine products (like certain e-liquids or nicotine salts) not already covered by tobacco or FDA regulations, and requires them to be taxed and licensed under the existing tobacco tax framework. The bill directly affects manufacturers and sellers of these new nicotine products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems containing nicotine analogues. Key mechanisms include creating new definitions for regulatory clarity and applying current tobacco tax rules to these products, rather than establishing new taxes. This policy change aims to bring these products under the state's existing tobacco regulatory system.

Maddy summaryLB 334 makes the residence address, mailing address, and telephone number of judges seeking retention confidential. This applies only to judges running for retention (a process where voters decide whether to keep an incumbent judge) and not to other candidates. The bill requires filing officers (like the Secretary of State) to keep this contact information private, removing it from public candidate filing forms. It does not change voting rules or election procedures, only the confidentiality of specific personal details for judges in retention races.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution congratulates Milford High School on winning the 2026 Class C-1 Girls State Basketball Championship and the 2025 Class C-1 State Volleyball Championship. The document formally recognizes the school's athletic achievements and acknowledges the support from teachers, administrators, parents, and the community that made these victories possible. A copy of the resolution will be sent to Milford High School to share the recognition. This measure does not alter any laws or policies but serves as an official expression of appreciation from the Nebraska Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs Nebraska's Education Committee to conduct an interim study on the reading assessment tools currently approved for use by school districts. The study will evaluate how well these screeners identify students with reading difficulties and determine if improvements to screening practices should happen before considering third-grade retention policies. The committee will review the accuracy, fairness, and usability of existing tools while consulting with educators, administrators, and other stakeholders. The final report will include findings and recommendations for potential policy changes or administrative actions to improve reading assessment outcomes across the state.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Education Committee to conduct an interim study on the special building fund used by public school districts. The study will examine how these funds are currently utilized and review the existing tax levy limits that govern them. This action does not change any laws or policies but instead gathers information to inform future legislative decisions. The committee will report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature after completing the review.

Maddy summaryLB 110 requires health care providers to obtain written consent before performing a pelvic exam on a patient who is unconscious or under anesthesia in a hospital or clinic, unless it's an emergency, authorized by a decision-maker, or court-ordered. It directly affects patients unable to consent and health care providers who must follow these rules. The bill mandates written notification to patients before discharge if such an exam was performed, and violations could lead to disciplinary action under Nebraska's credentialing laws. This legislation aims to protect patient autonomy during medical procedures requiring unconsciousness.

Maddy summaryLegislative Resolution 339 (LR 339) is a Nebraska legislative resolution that commemorates the historical Blue River Cattle Trail, which connected Texas cattlemen to Nebraska markets in the 19th century. It formally celebrates the trail's role in Nebraska's development as the "Beef State" and recognizes the work of historians preserving this history. The resolution encourages Nebraskans to learn about and share the trail's significance, including its impact on Schuyler's growth and cattle farming traditions. As a commemorative resolution, it has no legal effect or direct impact on specific groups, serving solely as a symbolic acknowledgment of historical events.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution (LR 318) symbolically designates January 25-31, 2026, as "School Board Member Week" in Nebraska. It recognizes the work of Nebraska’s approximately 1,700 locally elected school board and Education Service Unit members who serve volunteer roles on public school governing bodies. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but encourages citizens to acknowledge these members’ contributions to public education. It is a ceremonial observance with no binding requirements or direct impact on policy.