Rep. Eliot Bostar

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Nebraska law to address several criminal offenses. It prohibits installing mobile tracking devices on others' property without consent (with limited exceptions for parents, law enforcement, or business purposes), updates stalking penalties, restricts drone operations in sensitive areas requiring operator certification, and creates a new offense for "swatting" (false emergency reports) that mandates restitution. It also removes the mandatory probation requirement for Class IV felony convictions. The bill directly affects individuals using tracking technology, drone operators, and courts handling specific criminal cases.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 938 creates a state tax-advantaged savings program to help first-time homebuyers. It allows individuals to contribute up to $5,000 annually (or $10,000 for joint filers) to designated savings accounts, reducing their state taxable income. Contributions can be used for eligible home purchase costs like down payments, closing fees, or construction financing for a primary residence in Nebraska. The program limits lifetime contributions to $25,000 per individual ($50,000 for joint filers) and requires account holders to designate a qualified beneficiary (the homebuyer) by April 15 each year. This directly affects first-time homebuyers who meet the definition: individuals without prior primary residence ownership or those divorced and not on title for 3+ years.

Maddy summaryLB 1255 prohibits public power suppliers - including municipal electric utilities, public power districts, and other government entities providing electricity - from using eminent domain to seize private property for infrastructure projects. The bill amends Nebraska statutes to remove existing authority for these entities to acquire land through eminent domain for electric generation, transmission, or distribution systems. This change directly affects how local governments and public utilities can expand or maintain electrical infrastructure, preventing them from compelling property sales for such purposes. The law takes effect upon passage, repealing prior provisions that allowed this power.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the retail sale of electronic smoking devices (like e-cigarettes) without a child safety feature, such as a lock or password, starting from its effective date. It directly affects retailers selling these devices in Nebraska, requiring all new devices to include such safety measures to prevent accidental access by children. Violating this rule would be a Class IV misdemeanor. The law does not apply to interstate shipping or warehouse storage of these products.

Maddy summaryLB 1185 requires operators of conversational AI services (like chatbots) to clearly disclose when users are interacting with AI, especially for minors under 18. It prohibits using rewards to increase underage engagement, generating explicit content, or simulating human-like emotional connections (e.g., false romantic claims) for minors. The law also mandates AI systems to provide crisis resources for users mentioning self-harm and bans claims that AI offers professional mental health care. Violations can result in civil penalties up to $500,000 per operator, enforced by Nebraska’s Attorney General starting July 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that Nebraska's $462,480,546 appropriation for Medicaid nursing facility rates (Program No. 348) must be fully used in calculating annual rates for fiscal year 2026-27, including the inflation factor. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit two reports: one by August 1, 2026, detailing how the inflation factor was calculated, and another by December 31, 2026, identifying unobligated funds from prior nursing facility appropriations. The bill directly affects Medicaid nursing facilities and the state's Department of Health and Human Services by specifying how funds must be allocated and reported. It declares an emergency to take effect immediately upon approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LB 812) updates Nebraska's Medicaid program rules by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to follow specific federal timelines for checking Medicaid eligibility. It limits eligibility redeterminations to no more frequently than federal law allows and sets strict rules for community engagement requirements: the department must wait until federal deadlines, allow only one month of compliance per review, and check adherence no more often than every six months during eligibility reviews. These changes directly affect Medicaid recipients who undergo periodic eligibility checks and the Department of Health and Human Services, which must now follow these standardized procedures. The bill amends existing law to align with federal requirements while adding operational safeguards for how eligibility and community engagement are managed.

Maddy summaryLB 813 amends Nebraska's definition of "employment" under the Employment Security Law to clarify how marketplace network contractors are treated for unemployment benefits eligibility. The bill specifically changes provisions related to these contractors, ensuring their services are properly classified under state unemployment law. This affects workers who provide services through digital platforms or on-demand apps, determining whether they qualify for unemployment benefits. The change modifies Section 48-604 of the law to establish clearer criteria for including these workers in the unemployment insurance system.

Maddy summaryLB 965 prohibits sexual abuse of probationers, problem-solving court participants, and individuals under guardianship or child welfare services. It creates new legal protections for these vulnerable groups by defining and prohibiting such abuse by specific professionals like conservators, guardians, and child welfare providers. The bill also grants immunity to probation employees who administer naloxone for opioid overdoses and requires sex offender registration for violations related to these new prohibitions. These changes update Nebraska's criminal code to address gaps in protecting individuals under court supervision or care.

Maddy summaryLB 1189 creates a pilot program to help low-income Nebraskans access the existing Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by increasing awareness and assistance. The Nebraska Department of Revenue will distribute $250,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations (like tax preparation services, legal aid, and health agencies) that serve low-income residents, funding outreach, education, and application help. Grants must be awarded by October 1, 2026, and the program requires an evaluation report by December 2027 detailing outreach efforts, participants served, and recommendations for future use. This directly affects eligible low-income Nebraskans who qualify for the EITC but may not claim it due to lack of awareness. The bill does not change the EITC itself but aims to improve access to the existing benefit.