Rep. Dan Quick

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Health and Human Services Committee to conduct an interim study on how behavioral health service rates are determined in the state. The study will examine current payment methods, compare Nebraska's approach with other states, analyze how costs have changed since the last review, and assess the impact of Medicaid managed care on rate-setting. It will also look at services not currently covered by public payers and how funding them might affect the state budget and private insurance. The committee will consult with agencies, experts, and stakeholders before submitting findings and recommendations to the Legislature.

Maddy summaryLB 365A is an appropriation bill that allocates specific funds to support Legislative Bill 365. It provides $9,634 in General Funds and $15,476 in federal funds for fiscal year 2026-27, and $19,268 in General Funds and $30,952 in federal funds for fiscal year 2027-28 to the Department of Health and Human Services' Program 348. These funds are explicitly designated for "state aid" related to LB 365 and cannot be used for state employee salaries or per diems. The bill directly affects the Department of Health and Human Services' Program 348 by funding its implementation under LB 365.

Maddy summaryLB 915 reduces Nebraska's statewide cap on inland port districts from six to five under the Municipal Inland Port Authority Act. This change affects cities, counties, and joint city-county proposals seeking to establish inland port districts by limiting the total number that can be created. The bill does not alter the criteria for creating a district but enforces a stricter maximum, meaning only five districts will be permitted at any time. This policy adjustment directly restricts future expansions of inland port authorities across the state.

Maddy summaryLB 726 updates Nebraska's State Electrical Act to reference the 2026 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) instead of the previous 2023 edition for most electrical safety standards. Specific sections (210.8(A), 210.8(A)(3), 210.8(A)(5), 230.67, 230.70(A)(1), and 230.85) will continue using the 2017 NEC edition as a temporary exception. This bill directly affects electrical contractors, master electricians, and inspectors who must comply with the referenced NEC standards for wiring installations and safety inspections. The change ensures state regulations align with the most current national electrical safety standards, excluding the specified sections that retain older requirements.

Maddy summaryLB 721 amends Nebraska's Intergenerational Care Facility Incentive Grant Program to change eligibility rules. It removes the requirement that facilities must own or operate the child care services they receive grants for, allowing them to partner with external child care providers instead. The bill also adds that facilities cited for substandard care during their most recent survey are ineligible for grants. Grants (up to $100,000 per facility) can now be used for structural modifications, equipment, or space changes to support child care within nursing homes or assisted-living facilities certified for Medicare or Medicaid. This directly affects facilities seeking to expand intergenerational care services.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 725 clarifies and updates definitions and licensing requirements under the State Electrical Act. It redefines terms like "Class A master electrician," "Class B electrical contractor," and "residential installation" with specific technical details (e.g., voltage limits, building size restrictions). The bill modifies provisions for electrical licenses, fees, inspections, and directional boring practices to harmonize existing rules. It directly affects electricians, contractors, and inspectors who must comply with these updated licensing standards. The changes aim to modernize the regulatory framework without introducing new policy requirements.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 724 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a cost study comparing the actual expenses of providing behavioral health services to current payment rates in both the regional behavioral health system and the medical assistance program. The study must be completed by September 1, 2026, with a final report submitted to the Legislature by December 1, 2026. This bill directly affects the Department of Health and Human Services, mandating a specific data-gathering process to analyze cost structures. It does not change existing rates or funding but provides a factual basis for future policy decisions. The bill focuses solely on collecting comparative cost data, without prescribing any specific outcomes.

Maddy summaryLB 1067 adjusts how documentary stamp tax revenue is distributed to fund housing programs in Nebraska. It specifies that for every $2.82 collected on property transfers (deeds), 95 cents goes to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, 75 cents each to the Rural Workforce and Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Funds, and smaller portions to other housing-related funds. The bill harmonizes existing tax allocation rules across these funds and ensures collected revenue is used solely for designated housing purposes. This directly affects property sellers and buyers paying the transfer tax, with funds supporting affordable housing initiatives. The changes take effect upon enactment, modifying current tax distribution formulas.

Maddy summaryLB 762 requires most health insurance policies in Nebraska to cover treatment for two specific pediatric conditions: pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS) and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS). It mandates coverage for recommended treatments like antibiotics, medication, behavioral therapy, plasma exchange, and immunoglobulin, directly affecting families of children diagnosed with these conditions and insurers offering health coverage in the state. Insurers must report coverage denials for these treatments annually to the Department of Insurance, which will publish a public report starting in 2028. The bill aims to ensure access to medically necessary care for affected children without insurer denials.

Maddy summaryNebraska Legislative Bill LB 722 amends the Behavioral Health Services Fund to explicitly include services for individuals with substance use disorder. The bill clarifies that funds can now be used for behavioral health services specifically for people with substance use disorder, aligning with existing provisions for serious mental illness. This change, which references the definition in Section 71-430, ensures the fund’s resources directly support treatment and housing-related assistance for this population without creating new funding. The bill affects Nebraskans seeking behavioral health services, particularly those with substance use disorder who qualify under the fund’s existing eligibility criteria.