Rep. Eliot Bostar

Maddy summaryLB 964 requires local governments in Nebraska (like cities, counties, and school districts) to hold public hearings before buying, selling, or leasing public property. It mandates that these hearings allow community members to comment, and requires a 10-day notice in a local newspaper detailing the property location, value, price, and involved parties. If a transaction isn't completed within two months after the hearing, a new hearing must be held. The bill aims to increase transparency in public property decisions by ensuring public input and clear advance notice.

Maddy summaryLB 986 amends Nebraska's campaign finance law to explicitly allow political committees and candidate campaigns to use campaign funds for security services and systems. This directly affects political committees and candidates running for office in Nebraska. The bill adds a specific provision (section 49-1446.03(10)) permitting expenditures on security personnel, equipment, installation, maintenance, and physical security measures. This change clarifies that security costs, previously excluded or ambiguous under the law, are now a permissible campaign expense.

Maddy summaryLB 1131 creates a new tax credit program to support domestic violence and human trafficking service providers, distributing $5.7 million annually starting in 2027. This includes $480,000 for tribal programs, $300,000 for a statewide coalition, and $5.22 million based on population or service area size. The bill also eliminates existing tax exemptions for data centers, removing their personal property tax and sales tax exemptions. These changes directly affect nonprofit service providers and data center operators in Nebraska, with credits being refundable and transferable to other taxpayers.

Maddy summaryLB 1240 modifies Nebraska's ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) program by preventing the state from seeking recovery of funds from an ABLE account after the account holder's death. Specifically, it states that Nebraska cannot recover amounts from the account or distributions made upon death for medical assistance received under the Medical Assistance Act after the account was established. This directly affects Nebraska residents using ABLE accounts who receive state medical assistance, ensuring their beneficiaries won't face repayment claims for prior medical costs. The change amends Section 77-1403(5) of Nebraska law to align with federal ABLE program rules.

Maddy summaryLB 860 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to create a program by January 1, 2027, providing behavioral health services to individuals under 21 with complex needs. The program must include services like mobile response, intensive home-based treatment, inpatient care, substance use disorder treatment, and developmental disability care. It aims to support families in community settings and prevent institutionalization or out-of-home placements. Care coordination will occur through behavioral health regions or a statewide managed care plan to ensure access to a full continuum of services.

Maddy summaryLB 861 requires local governments (cities, counties, or state agencies) to use only "authorized inspectors" (credentialed by the state, county, city, or a licensed third party) for building permit inspections. It mandates that inspection records - showing pass/fail results and reasons for failure - must be publicly accessible if the building still stands when a request is made. This applies to all inspections tied to building permits, structural projects, or warranty requirements. The bill aims to increase transparency in building safety checks while ensuring inspectors meet state standards.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 950 standardizes prior authorization forms for health care services and strengthens health data sharing. It requires all health care providers to use a single, two-page uniform form for prescription drugs, medical equipment, and other services starting January 1, 2026, with utilization review agents (like insurers) required to accept these forms. The bill also mandates that health care facilities share clinical data through the designated health information exchange by January 1, 2027, to support public health reporting and care coordination. These changes directly affect health care providers, insurers, and the Health Information Technology Board, aiming to simplify administrative processes and improve data accessibility.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 1092 creates two new specialty license plate options: "Back the Blue" plates (supporting law enforcement, available starting January 2027) and "Iconic-Design" plates (inspired by retired Nebraska plates, with black/white background options). Drivers applying for Iconic-Design plates pay a $100 fee, while Back the Blue fees support the Back the Blue Cash Fund. The bill specifies design requirements (e.g., consultation with law enforcement associations for Back the Blue) and directs all fees to designated state funds, including the Developmental Disabilities Provider Capital Fund. It does not alter existing plate programs but adds these new options with defined funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 642, the Artificial Intelligence Consumer Protection Act, requires developers of high-risk AI systems to prevent algorithmic discrimination in key consumer decisions. It directly affects businesses developing or deploying AI systems that make consequential decisions - such as in employment, housing, lending, healthcare, or criminal justice - without human review. The law mandates "reasonable care" to protect consumers from known discrimination risks starting February 2026, with compliance creating a rebuttable presumption of adherence to the standard. It excludes narrow tools like spell-checkers or antifraud systems from regulation, focusing only on AI systems with significant real-world impact on consumers.

Maddy summaryLB 710 increases Nebraska's earned income tax credit (EITC) for low- and moderate-income residents who qualify for the federal EITC. It raises the state refundable credit rate from 10% to 20% of the federal EITC amount for tax years beginning January 1, 2025, and adjusts income thresholds. The credit phases out for individuals with federal adjusted gross income above $22,000, reducing by 10% for each $1,000 earned over that amount. This change directly benefits eligible Nebraska residents who currently receive the federal EITC, providing them with additional state tax relief.