Rep. Jane Raybould

Maddy summaryLB 159 amends Nebraska's sentencing law (section 29-2260) to require courts to consider two specific factors when deciding whether to impose prison time for certain offenses. It adds that courts must weigh whether the offender was a victim of abuse (physical, sexual, or psychological by a family member, household member, partner, or trafficker) or a trafficking victim as defined by law. This applies to defendants convicted of crimes where mandatory prison time isn't required, directly affecting individuals who are both offenders and victims of abuse or trafficking. The bill does not mandate leniency but ensures these circumstances receive formal consideration during sentencing decisions.

Maddy summaryLB 192 modifies Nebraska's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility rules and removes certain administrative requirements. It temporarily increases the gross income eligibility limit to 165% of the federal poverty guideline (until October 1, 2025), while keeping net income limits unchanged, and eliminates the annual report requirement for the Department of Health and Human Services on SNAP efforts. The bill also removes the need for an evaluation report on the TANF-funded program that implemented the income change. This directly affects SNAP beneficiaries and streamlines reporting for the state agency managing the program.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial legislative resolution (not a bill), recognizing Steve Hennessy, a Lincoln resident, for overcoming significant life adversity and his decades-long dedication as a janitor at Lincoln's Denney Federal Building. The resolution highlights his independent living after foster care, 40+ years of perfect work attendance, community connections with federal staff, and his 2015 "Goodwill International Achiever" award. It has no policy impact or affected parties beyond honoring Hennessy personally, with a copy to be sent to him. The resolution was adopted and signed by Nebraska's legislature on June 2, 2025.

Maddy summaryLB 120 modifies Nebraska's Motor Vehicle Operator's License Act to clarify when digital images and signatures captured during license applications may be released. It permits release only to law enforcement agencies (for official duties), the Secretary of State (for voter ID verification), or the Nebraska State Patrol (for missing persons cases), always requiring identity and purpose verification. Strict security protocols must be followed for storage and protection of these images, with violations punishable as a Class I misdemeanor. The bill directly affects license applicants, law enforcement, election officials, and the Nebraska State Patrol by defining authorized access to biometric data.

Maddy summaryLB 696 amends Nebraska's Professional Landscape Architects Act to update licensing rules and definitions. It clarifies key terms like "practice of landscape architecture" (including site design and natural resource management), requires the State Board to maintain a public roster of licensed professionals, and revises application standards. Specifically, it updates accreditation requirements for degree programs (recognizing both U.S. and Canadian standards), shortens experience verification steps, and streamlines the license application process. These changes directly affect landscape architects seeking licensure or renewal, the State Board of Landscape Architects, and the public accessing verified professional credentials. The bill harmonizes existing provisions without creating new fees or services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires anyone paying for political advertisements (including billboards, radio, or TV ads) to include their full name and street address on the material or in the ad. Candidates themselves must include their name and address (or PO box) for ads they pay for, with broadcasters required to keep candidate addresses on file. It exempts small items like bumper stickers, yard signs, and campaign buttons from the disclaimer rule. Violating these requirements is a Class IV misdemeanor.

Maddy summaryLB 143 amends Nebraska's student enrollment law to extend military family enrollment protections to students with disabilities or special education needs. It requires school districts to apply their existing preliminary enrollment policies for military families - including no-charge enrollment upon arrival - to students with individualized education programs (IEPs), individualized family service plans (IFSPs), or those receiving special education services under federal law. This ensures military-connected students who require special education accommodations have equal enrollment access during relocations. The change directly affects military families with children who have disabilities or special education needs, streamlining their school enrollment process without altering other residency rules.

Maddy summaryLB 105 modifies voting procedures for Nebraska public power districts by eliminating the need for Secretary of State approval when dividing voting precincts to establish district boundaries. It allows districts to use whole or divided precincts (instead of population-based divisions) for defining operating areas and elections, particularly benefiting rural customers. The bill also updates rules for retail customers living outside a district's official boundaries but receiving power from it, enabling them to request voting rights on the district board if they meet specific notice and residency requirements. These changes apply directly to public power districts and their customers, streamlining boundary adjustments and voting access without altering eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryLB 605 requires Nebraska school boards to create policies governing transgender student participation in school-sponsored extracurricular activities and athletic associations. The bill mandates that transgender students (defined as having a gender identity differing from their sex assigned at birth) submit written requests with parental involvement, provide medical documentation (including hormone therapy records for female-identifying students), and undergo school board review to confirm eligibility. Key provisions require documentation proving consistent gender identity, medical verification of hormone therapy or surgery for athletic participation, and proof that transgender female students do not possess physical advantages over biological females. The bill was introduced in January 2025, referred to the Education Committee, and withdrawn on March 11, 2025, before moving further.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Nebraska's pharmacy supervision rules under the Pharmacy Practice Act. It limits each pharmacist to supervising a maximum of four pharmacy technicians or pharmacist interns at one time. The key new requirement is that at least one person in any group of four must be a certified pharmacy technician. This replaces the previous supervision rules and directly affects pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacist interns working in Nebraska pharmacies. The bill does not change other pharmacy practice standards or patient care requirements.