Rep. Carolyn Bosn

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $50,000 from the Victim's Compensation Fund for each of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years to the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. The funds are designated for Program 206 to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 1181, which was passed in the 2026 legislative session. The appropriation specifically prohibits using these funds for employee salaries or travel expenses, restricting them to other program-related costs. This measure provides financial resources to help carry out the provisions of the previously enacted LB 1181.

Maddy summaryThis Nebraska bill (LB 935) allows courts to award attorney fees and costs to local governments when they face frivolous or harassing lawsuits. It specifically targets claims against "political subdivisions" (cities, counties, school districts, and other local entities) that lack legal merit or are filed solely to delay or harass public officials. The law requires courts to hold a separate hearing to determine if a claim or defense was frivolous before ordering fees, with exceptions for good-faith legal arguments or prompt dismissals. Local governments can request these fees as a motion or claim, and courts may award them in addition to other judgments. The policy aims to prevent wasteful use of taxpayer resources on baseless litigation.

Maddy summaryLB 1025 imposes a new excise tax on social media companies that collect consumer data from Nebraska residents. Starting January 1, 2027, companies must pay tax based on the number of Nebraska consumers whose data they collect monthly: $0 for under 50,000 users, $0.10 per user over 50,000 but under 250,000, and $40,000 plus $0.25 per user over 250,000 but under 500,000. The tax directly affects for-profit social media platforms meeting the bill's definition (excluding search engines, email services, and certain professional tools). It targets data collection practices rather than platform usage, creating a tiered revenue stream for Nebraska.

Maddy summaryThis Nebraska bill (LB 789) amends evidence rules to allow certain witness statements in court when a party (like a defendant) wrongfully caused the witness to become unavailable. Specifically, it adds an exception to the hearsay rule: if a party intentionally made a witness unavailable (e.g., through threats or harm) to prevent testimony, statements made by that witness can now be used against them. This affects legal cases where witness unavailability was caused by the opposing party’s misconduct. The change streamlines courtroom procedures by permitting such statements as evidence without requiring the usual hearsay exceptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Nebraska handles parole violations related to substance abuse. It requires the Department of Corrections to create a "matrix" of graduated sanctions for parolees who violate conditions related to substance use or technical violations (like missing appointments or failing tests). Instead of immediately revoking parole, officers can first impose administrative sanctions (such as more testing, counseling, or curfews) or request up to 30 days in a correctional or contract facility. The bill directly affects parolees in Nebraska who face substance abuse or technical violations, shifting the response from automatic revocation toward more structured, tiered consequences.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LB 1181) strengthens victim involvement in criminal cases by requiring county attorneys to consult with victims before entering plea agreements. It mandates that victim statements be included in presentence reports and standardizes the definition of "victim" across related Nebraska statutes. The bill repeals outdated sections (29-119 and 29-120) and harmonizes provisions related to victim rights and sentencing procedures. These changes directly affect crime victims, county attorneys, and courts handling felony and misdemeanor cases.

Maddy summaryLB 980 amends Nebraska's landlord-tenant law to clarify procedures for eviction cases (actions for possession). It allows rental agreements to include waivers of jury trials *only* in possession disputes (not other tenant rights), requires summons to clearly state jury rights and potential fee recovery, and adds rules for summary judgment and faster court proceedings. These changes directly affect landlords and tenants involved in eviction lawsuits by streamlining court processes and setting clearer expectations about trial rights and costs. The bill harmonizes existing rules without altering core tenant protections like liability for landlord negligence.

Maddy summaryLB 1059 prohibits installing or using mobile tracking devices on another person's property or to monitor their movement without their consent. It specifically bans tracking without consent, requiring removal after consent is revoked (e.g., if a protection order is issued or a spouse files for divorce). Exceptions include law enforcement use, court-ordered monitoring, parents tracking minor children under specific family circumstances, caregivers for vulnerable adults with medical certification, and private investigators acting in legitimate legal investigations. The bill directly affects individuals who might misuse tracking technology and aims to protect privacy by strengthening consent requirements.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 1119 amends the Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act to protect children and teens online. It directly affects major online platforms (like social media and games) that meet specific thresholds - such as having $25 million+ annual revenue or processing data for 50,000+ users. The bill prohibits "dark patterns" that exploit young users, including infinite scroll, auto-playing media, gamified rewards for excessive use, and deceptive notification tactics. It also clarifies that platforms must treat users under 18 as "covered minors" and prohibits using their data for targeted advertising without parental consent. The law applies to services accessible in Nebraska that process personal data of minors.

Maddy summaryLB 1118 would amend Nebraska's Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act to specifically classify certain actions by social media platforms as deceptive trade practices. The bill targets practices like algorithmic manipulation that mislead users about content visibility or data usage, directly affecting major social media companies operating in Nebraska. Key provisions would require platforms to avoid deceptive representations regarding how content is promoted or how user data is handled, aligning their practices with existing consumer protection laws. If enacted, this would subject social media platforms to the same legal standards as other businesses regarding deceptive marketing or data practices under Nebraska law.