Maddy summaryThis bill allows a minor child with one legal parent to be adopted by a second adult person, provided the sole parent consents, the child has a parent-child relationship with the second adult, and a home study is completed. It also clarifies that adult children may be adopted by a second adult under specific conditions, such as having a six-month parent-child relationship and meeting criteria like the absence of living parents or parental rights termination. The bill updates adoption procedures by redefining terms like "sole legal parent," adjusting consent requirements, and prohibiting adoptions that would result in a child having more than two legal parents. These changes streamline adoption pathways while maintaining existing safeguards for children and birth parents.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryLB 548 allows cities or counties that own natural gas systems to sell natural gas directly to large industrial users in Nebraska. It requires industrial consumers to use at least 3 billion BTUs of natural gas daily on average and prohibits contracts with facilities already served by other gas providers. Contracts must be for a minimum of two years, and the industrial facility must be located within the local utility's service area. This bill specifically affects municipal gas systems and large industrial operations seeking direct supply agreements.
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 summaryLB 103 amends Nebraska's evidence rules to prohibit asking victims about their past sexual behavior or sexual assault history during pretrial proceedings, such as hearings or depositions. This directly affects victims in criminal or civil cases involving alleged sexual misconduct, preventing attorneys from using such questions to challenge their credibility before trial. The bill allows limited exceptions in criminal cases (e.g., to establish the source of physical evidence) and in civil cases only if the court determines the evidence's value outweighs potential harm. It also requires written motions and private court hearings before admitting such evidence. The change aims to reduce trauma for victims during legal processes while maintaining specific legal safeguards.
Maddy summaryLB 258 changes the calculation method for Nebraska's minimum wage under the Wage and Hour Act by adjusting the formula from an unspecified prior percentage to a fixed 1.75%. This amendment directly affects minimum wage workers in Nebraska, as it modifies how their wage rate is determined annually. The key provision replaces the existing percentage calculation with a specific 1.75% adjustment to the minimum wage rate. The bill does not increase or decrease the current minimum wage but alters the mechanism used to calculate future adjustments. The bill is currently pending in the Business and Labor Committee after being indefinitely postponed.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) expressing the Nebraska Legislature's congratulations to Lincoln Electric System (LES) on its 60th anniversary. It formally recognizes LES's history since 1966 as a community-owned utility providing reliable energy to Lincoln residents and businesses. The resolution reaffirms Nebraska's tradition of locally governed public power utilities but contains no policy changes or direct effects on constituents. It was introduced but "laid over" without further action.
Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 791 establishes a $3,500 annual limit on individual contributions to candidate or ballot question committees during an election period (calendar year). It requires committees to refund any contributions exceeding this amount within 10 days and report the details. Starting in 2029, the limit will automatically adjust every two years based on inflation using the Consumer Price Index, rounded to the nearest $100. The bill applies to all individual donors but excludes a candidate's own personal funds contributed to their committee.
Maddy summaryLB 166 requires county treasurers to keep the residential addresses confidential for law enforcement officers, Nebraska National Guard members, and judges who apply. It also makes judicial retention election filings non-public records (though the Secretary of State must publish a list of names and districts). The bill updates candidate filing forms to include a sworn statement about election laws and an optional email field. These changes affect law enforcement, National Guard members, judges, judicial candidates, and all political candidates filing in Nebraska.
Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 186 amends the Liquor Control Act to establish clearer rules for "entertainment districts," which are designated areas where bars, breweries, and distilleries can share a common public space (a "commons area") for alcohol consumption. The bill requires licensees to obtain an additional $300 annual "entertainment district license," restricts alcohol service to times when food is available in the commons area, and mandates that all served alcohol must be in containers displaying the licensee's unique mark. It also sets safety standards for commons areas, including pedestrian barriers, no open containers on streets, and reduced vehicle speeds near sidewalks. This directly affects local governments (which can create or revoke districts), license holders (retail, craft brewery, microdistillery), and the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission (which processes applications and enforces rules).
Maddy summaryLB 104 adopts the Family Home Visitation Act to establish state-funded home visitation programs for families with children under five or pregnant individuals. The bill requires all state-funded programs to be evidence-based, delivered by trained professionals (like nurses or social workers), and focus on improving maternal/child health, parenting skills, and school readiness while reducing child maltreatment. Programs must meet specific quality standards, including cultural competency and continuous improvement, and the Department of Health and Human Services must report annually on program details, outcomes, and funding. This directly affects eligible families and service providers by setting clear guidelines for program implementation and accountability.