Rep. Myron Dorn

Maddy summaryLB 944 amends Nebraska's Medical Assistance Act to require direct reimbursement from the state for hospice care services provided to program participants. This change applies specifically to hospitals and intermediate care facilities that offer hospice services under the program. The bill modifies existing coverage provisions (previously listed in section 68-911(2)(p)) by mandating that payments be made directly to these facilities, rather than through third-party intermediaries. This policy change affects providers delivering hospice care to Medicaid-eligible individuals in Nebraska.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 952 creates the Supreme Court Operations Cash Fund to replace two existing funds, terminating the Supreme Court Reports Cash Fund and the Court Appointed Special Advocate Fund. The new fund will be used for court and probation programs that improve justice administration and community safety, funded by fees, grants, donations, and payments from political subdivisions for court services. The bill also eliminates obsolete provisions related to fund transfers and grants. This reorganization streamlines court funding by consolidating resources under a single operational fund. The changes take effect on the bill's operative date, with remaining funds from terminated accounts transferred to the General Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates legal immunity for motor vehicle racing facilities (like racetracks and associated amenities) from public or private nuisance claims under specific conditions. It applies if the facility existed before a local land use change and wouldn't have been considered a nuisance at that time. The bill also limits nuisance lawsuits to claims filed within two years of the issue becoming significant, while excluding cases involving prior court orders about existing nuisance problems. This directly affects racing facilities and individuals seeking to file nuisance lawsuits against them. The law changes the legal standards for such claims but does not alter racing operations or safety requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Nebraska law to grant county assessors immunity from trespass prosecution when conducting required property inspections for tax assessment purposes. It directly affects county assessors, who must inspect taxable real property annually to ensure uniform valuations. The key provision allows assessors to enter property without legal risk during inspections, but explicitly requires permission to enter enclosed buildings. This change modifies existing law (Section 77-1311.03) to clarify legal protection during official duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Nebraska to allocate $1.5 million annually from the Hospital Quality Assurance and Access Assessment Fund to reimburse mental health providers who serve Medicaid-Medicare dual-eligible patients (people enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare) for behavioral health services. It mandates that these providers receive the higher Medicaid or Medicare rate for such services, rather than a lower combined rate. The funding applies specifically to providers not operating within hospitals, supporting access to mental health care for vulnerable dual-eligible beneficiaries. The bill explicitly states the Legislature's intent to maintain current Medicaid reimbursement rates for these services in the medical assistance program.

Maddy summaryLB 1167 amends funding for Nebraska's Department of Economic Development's Industrial Recruitment program, specifying how $11 million in General Funds for fiscal year 2026-27 must be used. It directs this funding exclusively for state aid grants under the Business Innovation Act, with $3 million specifically allocated for microenterprise assistance grants. The bill also reappropriates unspent Cash Fund balances from the Site and Building Development Act and states legislative intent to allocate an additional $4.5 million in Cash Funds for future economic development efforts. This bill directly affects the Department of Economic Development and businesses receiving these targeted grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Nebraska's Legislature to appropriate $7,046,697 (including $3.1 million in state funds and $3.9 million in federal funds) for fiscal year 2026-27 specifically to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for assisted-living facilities. It mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services raise the daily rate for all facilities under Nebraska's aged and disabled home and community-based Medicaid waiver program (Program No. 348) to $78.45 per day, applying equally to both rural and urban facilities. The funding is intended to directly affect Medicaid-certified assisted-living facilities serving eligible older adults and disabled individuals in Nebraska.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $XXX from Nebraska's General Fund for fiscal year 2026-27 to the Department of Economic Development. The funds are designated for Program 601 (Community and Rural Development) to provide state aid to development districts established under Nebraska law (sections 13-1901 to 13-1907). It directly affects development districts that support community and rural economic projects, such as infrastructure or business development initiatives. The bill creates no new policy but allocates existing state funds for this specific purpose.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Nebraska's Hospital Quality Assurance and Access Assessment Fund rules to clarify how its funds can be used. It prohibits using the fund to replace existing state hospital payments and specifies exact allocations: up to $15 million annually for administrative costs, $2.5 million for nursing training expansion, and $17.5 million for non-hospital Medicaid providers. The bill also prevents Medicaid managed care organizations and hospitals from adjusting rates based on these directed payments or passing assessment costs to patients. These changes directly affect hospitals, Medicaid managed care organizations, and state agencies managing the fund.

Maddy summaryLB 1155 amends Nebraska laws to clarify access to confidential juvenile court records, directly affecting juvenile courts, probation officers, the Office of Inspector General (OIG), and foster care oversight offices. Key provisions require juvenile courts to share probation officer records with the OIG within five business days upon court order for investigations, while maintaining strict confidentiality for most records. The bill specifies limited circumstances where records may be shared with foster care offices, law enforcement (with court approval), or service providers directly working with the juvenile and family. It also reinforces that confidential records cannot be shared further without court authorization, preserving privacy protections for juveniles and families. The changes aim to harmonize existing record-access rules under juvenile justice and oversight statutes.