Rep. George Dungan

Maddy summaryLB 416 amends Nebraska law to clarify how releases or settlements with one liable party affect other parties in civil cases involving joint and several liability. It specifies that a release with one party does not automatically release other liable parties unless explicitly stated, and the claim against remaining parties is reduced by the released party's share. This change directly affects claimants and defendants in lawsuits where multiple parties share responsibility for damages. The bill ensures joint liability remains enforceable against non-released parties while adjusting claims based on the released party's determined share.

Maddy summaryNebraska bill LB 444 requires specific motor carriers to maintain minimum insurance coverage for bodily injury or death resulting from accidents. It directly affects intrastate motor carriers, companies transporting household goods under certain licenses, and carriers moving railroad employees. The bill mandates at least $1 million in uninsured/underinsured insurance coverage per occupant, replacing previous requirements under Section 75-307. It excludes transportation network companies (like ride-sharing services) and does not require cargo insurance for non-household goods carriers. The bill repeals the original Section 75-307 and amends the statute to enforce this new coverage standard.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 411 amends the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act to change how teachers qualify for retention grants. It establishes tiered annual grants: $2,500 for first through sixth years of teaching, $3,000 for seventh through fifteenth years, and $4,000 for 16+ years. Teachers with endorsements in special education, math, science, technology, or dual-credit may also qualify for a one-time $5,000 high-need retention grant if they sign a future teaching contract in those subjects. The bill eliminates school-based prioritization for grants, requiring automatic distribution to school districts that then pass funds directly to eligible teachers. These changes take effect July 1, 2025, with specific transition rules for existing applications.

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 summaryThis bill changes how Nebraska handles unanticipated revenue in the state's General Fund. It requires the Tax Commissioner to calculate two specific amounts each year: the difference between actual and estimated revenue, and a more complex calculation based on historical growth trends. If actual revenue exceeds estimates, the excess must be transferred to the Cash Reserve Fund - unless revenue exceeds last year's by over 3%, in which case part of the excess goes to the School District Property Tax Relief Credit Fund instead. The bill also limits the Cash Reserve Fund balance to 16% of total General Fund spending, with exceptions for emergencies or capital projects. This directly affects state budget management and school funding through the property tax relief mechanism.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 96 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit federal waiver applications for two specific programs. First, it mandates a waiver to reimburse two designated medical respite facilities (one in a large city, one in a smaller city) for services to homeless adults in the Medicaid expansion population. Second, it requires a waiver to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to at least 6 months for beneficiaries. The bill also requires annual reports to the legislature on program usage, costs, and healthcare savings. This bill directly affects homeless adults in Medicaid expansion and postpartum patients by enabling federal approval for these expanded services.

Maddy summaryLB 448 establishes the "Postconviction Relief Act" in Nebraska, creating a new legal pathway for prisoners to seek relief based on a claim of actual innocence - not just constitutional violations. It requires prisoners to present new evidence (like DNA results or evidence implicating another suspect) proving by clear and convincing evidence that a different trial outcome was likely. The bill adjusts time limits for filing claims and allows courts to excuse procedural defaults or missed deadlines to prevent "manifest injustice" when a prisoner makes a credible innocence claim. This law directly affects incarcerated individuals, courts, prosecutors, and law enforcement by modifying procedures under sections 29-3001 to 29-3004 of Nebraska’s statutes.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 272 expands homestead tax exemptions to include veterans with 10-99% service-connected disabilities (previously only 100% disability was covered) and their eligible surviving spouses. It directly affects disabled veterans receiving VA compensation for partial disabilities (not total exemption under other sections), as well as their unremarried spouses or surviving spouses who remarried after age 57. The bill adds a new eligibility category (subsection 2(g)) effective January 1, 2026, requiring annual tax exemption applications with VA certification - except for every fifth year. This changes prior rules that limited exemptions to 100% disabled veterans or specific surviving spouse scenarios.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Nebraska's Legislature to appropriate $600,000 annually from the General Fund for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 specifically for interpreter services at the Supreme Court. It directly affects deaf, hard of hearing, and non-English-speaking individuals who need court interpreters. The bill mandates that these funds be used exclusively for increasing payments to interpreter service providers for these court-related needs. It does not create new rules but allocates existing state funds to support language access in the Supreme Court.

Maddy summaryLB 12 eliminates time limits for civil lawsuits against the direct perpetrator of child sexual assault (for cases occurring on or after August 24, 2017, or earlier cases not previously time-barred). For lawsuits against non-direct abusers (such as institutions), victims can file within 12 years after turning 21. The law applies specifically to violations of Nebraska’s child sexual assault statutes (sections 28-319.01 and 28-320.01). Criminal prosecutions are not required to pursue civil claims under this bill.