Rep. Dan Quick

Maddy summaryThis bill protects the privacy of train crew members (including engineers and conductors) involved in railroad deaths by requiring their personal details to be removed from public reports. It also creates controlled access for railroads, courts, and law enforcement to confidential information when necessary for investigations. Crucially, the bill exempts train crew members from having to show their operator licenses to police during train operations in Nebraska. The law directly affects train crew, railroads, and law enforcement officials handling such incidents.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 256 adopts the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact, creating a commission to coordinate passenger rail development across participating Midwest states. The commission, composed of state-appointed members including a Governor's designee, a private-sector representative, and two legislators from each state, will advocate for funding, develop long-term rail plans, and coordinate with federal and local entities. This bill directly affects state transportation officials and agencies in Nebraska and other Midwest states (like Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota) that join the compact. It establishes a formal structure for regional collaboration on rail projects but does not create new rail infrastructure or funding directly.

Maddy summaryLB 484 redefines "agricultural land" and "horticultural land" for property tax purposes in Nebraska, ensuring these lands are taxed differently than other property. The bill adds specific definitions: land used for commercial crop/livestock production (excluding solar/wind farms) qualifies, while land in conservation programs or enrolled in federal production-reduction programs still counts if primarily used for farming. This directly affects farmers and landowners with qualifying agricultural property, as it clarifies how their land's assessed value is calculated relative to other property classes. The key mechanism is excluding non-farming commercial uses (like energy projects) from the agricultural classification to maintain lower tax rates for active farms.

Maddy summaryLB 365 requires Nebraska's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance Act) to cover and reimburse for home blood pressure monitoring devices when prescribed by a healthcare provider. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries who need regular blood pressure monitoring for conditions like hypertension. The bill amends existing coverage rules to add these services to the list of covered medical supplies, similar to how continuous glucose monitors were recently added. It mandates the Department of Health and Human Services to provide this coverage without additional cost to eligible patients.

Maddy summaryThis Nebraska bill (LB 515) amends pharmacy rules to establish clear procedures for pharmacists to provide emergency prescription refills when doctors cannot be contacted. It allows pharmacists to dispense up to a 30-day supply (or the previous refill amount, whichever is less) for non-controlled maintenance medications under specific conditions: the refill must be for ongoing treatment, the pharmacist must verify the prescription through records or a database, and the pharmacist must judge that interrupting therapy would harm the patient. The bill directly affects pharmacists and patients who need urgent access to ongoing medications like diabetes or blood pressure drugs. It does not change standard refill rules but creates a defined emergency process to prevent treatment gaps.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 693 amends the state's deceptive trade practices law to prohibit receiving compensation for certain conduct related to veterans benefits assistance. Specifically, it makes it illegal for anyone to charge fees for helping veterans navigate benefits applications or referrals if that conduct misleads or deceives veterans. The bill defines terms and adds this prohibition to the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, directly affecting third-party assistance providers who charge fees for veterans benefits support. This change aims to prevent deceptive practices by requiring transparency in veterans benefits assistance services.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs Nebraska's Education Committee to conduct an interim study on how laboratory hours at community colleges are currently compensated and reviewed. The study will examine existing statutory definitions of laboratory hours, which affect faculty workload assignments, pay rates, and benefits eligibility for instructors teaching lab courses. It will gather input from faculty, administrators, students, and other stakeholders to compare current practices with peer institutions and federal standards. The committee will ultimately report findings and recommendations to the Legislature, but the resolution itself does not change any laws or policies at this time.

Maddy summaryLB 720 creates a temporary, nonrenewable license allowing body artists to practice at specific events in Nebraska for up to seven consecutive days. It directly affects body artists licensed in other states who attend events like festivals or conventions but aren't licensed in Nebraska. To qualify, applicants must hold a valid out-of-state license, submit a completed application, government ID, their license copy, and a sponsorship letter from a licensed facility or event organizer. The license includes the artist's name, approved event location, and expiration date, with a $50 fee paid to the Professional and Occupational Cash Credentialing Fund. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to inspect facilities for compliance, with violations subject to the same penalties as permanent license holders.

Maddy summaryLR 343 is a ceremonial legislative resolution congratulating Fred Hotz on his retirement from the Grand Island Fire Department after 40 years of service (1985-2025). It specifically recognizes his role as Chief of Fire Prevention for over 22 years and his status as the department’s longest-serving member. The resolution has no policy or financial impact - it simply expresses the Nebraska Legislature’s appreciation and directs a copy to be sent to Mr. Hotz. This is a non-binding, symbolic gesture with no direct effect on fire department operations or other individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a Nebraska law that currently prohibits selling lottery tickets through vending machines or dispensing devices. It directly affects lottery retailers by allowing them to sell tickets via these machines and may impact consumers who prefer this purchasing method. The key change amends Section 9-829 of the State Lottery Act to delete the specific ban on vending machine sales. The bill repeals the existing prohibition while maintaining other current requirements for lottery ticket sales.