Rep. Jason Prokop

Maddy summaryLB 349 updates Nebraska's regulatory process for electric suppliers building or acquiring battery storage systems and other grid-scale energy storage resources. It streamlines application requirements, notices, and filing procedures while clarifying exemptions for these projects. The bill directly affects electric suppliers (like utility companies) by changing how they must seek approval for storage infrastructure, aiming to simplify the process without altering the definition of storage resources. This is a procedural change focused on regulatory efficiency, not new energy policies.

Maddy summaryLB 342 establishes a regulatory framework for fantasy sports contests in Nebraska by creating the "Fantasy Sports Consumer Protection Act." It defines a qualifying fantasy contest as a skill-based game requiring an entry fee, where prizes are determined by participants' knowledge of real-world athletic performance statistics - not team outcomes or single events. The bill requires operators to obtain licenses from the Department of Revenue, implement fraud prevention measures, and pay fees/taxes, while exempting these contests from standard gambling laws. It directly affects fantasy sports operators and participants by setting clear rules for eligibility, operator licensing, and participant protections like self-exclusion options.

Maddy summaryLB 421 would allow licensed Nebraska racetracks to offer online sports betting through approved platforms under existing gaming laws. It prohibits betting on in-state college sports events and bans athletes, coaches, referees, and others with insider access from wagering. The bill also changes how tax revenue from sports betting is distributed to state and local entities. This proposed legislation affects licensed racetrack operators and state tax allocations but remains pending in committee.

Maddy summaryLB 643 prohibits Nebraska income tax deductions for interest, property taxes, or maintenance on single-family rental properties owned by individuals or entities holding more than 30 such properties as of January 1, 2026. It directly affects large-scale residential property investors, excluding primary residences, qualified nonprofit organizations (including community land trusts and affordable housing groups), and owners who sold at least 10% of their properties to residents or 5% to first-time homebuyers. Owners can appeal if they offered properties for sale at fair market value for 90 days without offers and were unable to sell. The bill takes effect for taxable years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment (LR 20CA) would permit authorized racetrack operators in Nebraska to allow sports wagers placed via mobile or electronic platforms by individuals physically located within Nebraska at the time of betting. It specifically modifies the state constitution to allow this change for racetrack-based sports wagering, while maintaining existing restrictions on other gambling forms. The amendment does not affect current lottery rules, bingo regulations, or general casino-style gambling. It directly affects racetrack operators seeking to offer mobile sports betting and Nebraska residents who would place such bets within the state. The proposal requires voter approval at the November 2026 general election.

Maddy summaryLB 348 proposed allocating $3 million from the Health and Human Services Cash Fund for fiscal year 2025-26 and another $3 million for 2026-27 to fund domestic violence services through Program 354 under Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services. The bill aimed to directly support domestic violence service providers by providing dedicated state funding for their operations. It declared an emergency to expedite implementation upon approval. However, the bill's provisions were later amended into other legislation (LB264 and LB261) on June 6, 2025, meaning it did not become law as originally introduced.

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 summaryNebraska's LB 452 states the Legislature's intent to appropriate $500,000 annually from federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to the Department of Health and Human Services for court-appointed special advocate (CASA) state aid programs. Specifically, it allocates $500,000 for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27, designating these funds exclusively for CASA program support. The bill declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon approval. Note: This bill was amended into LB261 on June 6, 2025, and is no longer active as introduced.

Maddy summaryLB 451 changes how Nebraska allocates excess funds from the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund annually. For 2025 through 2034, the first $1 million of any excess balance each year must be transferred to the Capitol Restoration Cash Fund, with remaining funds going to the Permanent School Fund; before 2025 and after 2034, all excess funds over $1 million go directly to the Permanent School Fund. The bill also creates an Unclaimed Property Cash Fund to cover related administrative costs and harmonizes existing fund transfer rules. These changes affect state fund management but do not alter how unclaimed property claims are processed or handled by the public.

Maddy summaryLB 505 directs Nebraska's Legislature to allocate $10 million annually from federal funds for food assistance programs during fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. It specifically requires these funds to support nonprofit organizations that provide food assistance across at least ten Nebraska counties and qualify for the federal USDA Emergency Food Assistance Program. The bill ensures these nonprofits receive funding through the state's Public Assistance program (No. 347) under federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. The legislation takes immediate effect due to an emergency declaration, though it does not create new state funding but directs existing federal resources.