Rep. Tom Brandt

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes merging Nebraska's Department of Natural Resources and Department of Environment and Energy into a single Department of Water, Energy, and Environment. It creates a new Chief Water Officer position and updates agency powers related to water management, conservation, state game refuges, and low-level radioactive waste disposal. The bill directly affects state agencies and officials responsible for environmental and natural resource management by restructuring their oversight framework. Key changes include consolidating departmental functions under one name and clarifying responsibilities for specific resource areas. The bill focuses on organizational structure rather than new funding or regulatory policies.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution (LR 105) recognizes April 14, 2025, as "Lineworkers Appreciation Day" in Nebraska. It expresses the state legislature's gratitude for Nebraska's over 1,000 lineworkers who maintain the electrical grid 24/7 in hazardous conditions. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is a ceremonial acknowledgment of lineworkers' contributions to keeping power reliable across the state.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 168 (signed April 9, 2025) adopts the 340B Contract Pharmacy Protection Act to protect access to federally discounted drugs. It prohibits drug manufacturers from restricting 340B drug deliveries to authorized locations (like contract pharmacies) or demanding extra data (such as patient records) beyond federal requirements. The law directly affects safety-net hospitals, clinics, and other 340B entities that rely on discounted drugs, as well as drug manufacturers and distributors. It ensures these providers can continue using 340B discounts without unnecessary barriers imposed by manufacturers.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution (LR 59) is a ceremonial recognition, not a policy change. It formally honors the Wilber-Clatonia Alumni Band for its dedication to preserving Czech heritage through music and community performances, specifically on March 4, 2025 (United States National Marching Band Day). The resolution has no binding effect or funding provisions; it simply directs the Nebraska Legislature to send a copy of the resolution to the band. It directly affects the band members, acknowledging their 39-year history, cultural contributions, and activities across Nebraska, South Dakota, and Kansas.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) congratulating Mark Schoenrock, Jefferson County's 2023 County Official of the Year. It recognizes his leadership in creating cost-saving programs (like diversion services), reducing methamphetamine use, improving veteran services, and upgrading county operations. The resolution formally expresses the Nebraska Legislature's appreciation and sends a copy to Schoenrock. It has no legal effect or financial impact on anyone.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill with policy changes) expressing legislative sympathy for the family of former Nebraska State Senator Joe Thomas Vosoba, who died January 15, 2025. It honors his service as a senator (1958-1960), his work promoting Czech culture in Nebraska, and his military service. The resolution formally conveys the legislature's condolences to his family and directs that a copy be sent to them. As a commemorative resolution, it has no legal effect or policy impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to amend the Nebraska Property Tax Incentive Act to update how tax credits are calculated for school district taxes paid by eligible taxpayers. It establishes specific credit amounts for each year starting in 2020 and sets a formula for increasing those credits in future years based on allowable growth rates. The legislation also clarifies how businesses and other entities can claim these credits, including provisions for allocating tax payments among shareholders or partners. Although the bill outlines these changes, it was indefinitely postponed in August 2024 and is not currently in effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Nebraska that would allow the state Legislature to create a separate tax category for owner-occupied housing. Under this change, the Legislature could apply a different valuation method to these homes that does not strictly match the values of other real property, provided the new method remains consistent for all owner-occupied homes. The amendment also grants the Legislature broader authority to establish distinct tax classes for various properties, including agricultural land, motor vehicles, and livestock, while requiring that tax rates remain uniform across all property classes within each group. Ultimately, the measure seeks to give lawmakers more flexibility in how they assess taxes on residential homes without altering the fundamental requirement that tax rates be applied equally within each defined category.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to update the definitions of key terms within Nebraska's sports wagering laws to clarify what types of events and participants are covered. It would specify that authorized sports betting includes professional, collegiate, and international events while explicitly excluding in-state college games, minor leagues, and high school competitions. The legislation also defines who is considered a prohibited participant, such as athletes, coaches, and referees, to prevent conflicts of interest. Although the bill was introduced in 2024, it was indefinitely postponed and did not become law.