Rep. Jane Raybould

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 157 creates a state-level Child Tax Credit, providing eligible parents with a $1,000 refundable credit per qualifying child under age 6. To qualify, parents must claim the child on their federal tax return, have the child's SSN/ITIN, and meet income limits (e.g., married couples filing jointly lose the full credit above $110,000 federal AGI). The credit is exempt from creditor claims, meaning refunds cannot be seized to pay debts. This policy directly affects Nebraska families with young children who qualify under the federal definition, effective for 2026 tax years.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 683 updates how county assessors notify property owners about tax assessments. It requires assessors to send a detailed notice by June 1, showing prior and current property values, tax amounts, protest deadlines (June 30), and budget hearing dates for local governments. The bill also eliminates outdated sections of the Property Tax Request Act and adjusts assessment adjustment deadlines for large counties. These changes aim to clarify notification requirements and streamline processes for property owners and local governments.

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.

Maddy summaryLB 156 modifies Nebraska's State Tort Claims Act and Political Subdivisions Tort Claims Act to allow civil lawsuits for sexual assaults of children occurring in specific school-related settings. The bill removes the standard immunity that previously barred claims against schools (as political subdivisions) for such incidents, specifically covering cases on school grounds, in school-owned vehicles used for school purposes, in vehicles driven by school employees for school purposes, or at school-sponsored events. This change directly affects children who experience sexual assault in these settings and school districts that would now face potential liability for negligence in preventing such assaults. The policy shift enables victims to pursue civil remedies where the previous law blocked such claims.

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 summaryLB 141 requires child welfare reporters (like teachers or healthcare workers) to notify military authorities and military family advocacy programs whenever child abuse or neglect is reported involving a military family member. This directly affects active-duty service members, National Guard/reserve members, and their dependents in Nebraska. The bill adds a new reporting step to existing child protection laws, ensuring military family advocacy programs are informed alongside standard child welfare agencies. It defines "military family" as active duty personnel or federal dependents, aiming to connect military families with specialized support services. (Note: This bill was amended into LB80 on June 6, 2025.)

Maddy summaryLB 55 allocates $1.5 million from the Hospital Quality Assurance and Access Assessment Fund for FY2025-26 to maintain Medicaid reimbursement rates for mental health providers who serve patients eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare (dual-eligible). It specifically ensures these providers - those not practicing in hospitals - are paid at current Medicaid rates for behavioral health services (Program 348) when Medicare rates are lower. The bill directly affects mental health providers serving dual-eligible Medicaid/Medicare patients by preventing reduced payments. Note: This bill was amended into LB261 on June 6, 2025, and is no longer active.

Maddy summaryLB 626 amends Nebraska's Community Development Law to streamline how cities declare areas as "extremely blighted" for redevelopment projects involving affordable housing. It requires cities to conduct studies, hold public hearings, and get planning commission recommendations before declaring an area blighted - ensuring transparency and community input. The bill also sets a 25-year minimum validity for such designations, linking them to tax benefits and affordable housing incentives under existing laws (like tax credits in §77-2715.07). This procedural change directly affects Nebraska cities planning affordable housing projects, though the bill was amended into LB288 and did not advance further.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 693 amends the state's deceptive trade practices law to prohibit receiving compensation for certain conduct related to veterans benefits assistance. Specifically, it makes it illegal for anyone to charge fees for helping veterans navigate benefits applications or referrals if that conduct misleads or deceives veterans. The bill defines terms and adds this prohibition to the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, directly affecting third-party assistance providers who charge fees for veterans benefits support. This change aims to prevent deceptive practices by requiring transparency in veterans benefits assistance services.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs the Judiciary Committee to conduct an interim study examining domestic violence prevention and support policies used in other states. The study will review best practices in areas such as law enforcement training, specialized court models, access to rural shelters, interagency coordination, data collection, and offender accountability measures. The committee will gather input from survivors, advocacy groups, law enforcement, and healthcare providers to inform its findings. Upon completion, the committee will submit a report with recommendations to the Legislative Council or the full Legislature for potential policy improvements in Nebraska.