Rep. Brad von Gillern

Maddy summaryLB 445 introduces new contracting methods for Nebraska state building projects, allowing the state building division to use "design-build" (one contractor handles both design and construction) or "construction manager" contracts (a contractor assists with planning before construction). It eliminates requirements for purchasing art for state buildings and replaces outdated rules about bidding, planning, and construction. The bill directly affects the state building division and contractors working on state projects, removing old provisions while creating standardized guidelines for these new processes. It does not apply to University of Nebraska, state colleges, or projects covered by other specific laws like the Public Water Act.

Maddy summaryLB 402 would allow Nebraska's Department of Labor to collect overpaid unemployment benefits by applying them against an individual's gambling winnings (like casino or sports betting payouts), expanding the existing Gambling Winnings Setoff system. It directly affects people who received unemployment benefits they weren't entitled to under the Employment Security Law. The bill changes the statute of limitations for recovering these overpayments and updates the law to include unemployment debts in the setoff process. This replaces the previous system where unemployment overpayments weren't covered under the gambling winnings collection mechanism. The bill also repeals the original sections it amends.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Revenue Committee to conduct an interim study on how sales tax revenue is collected and sent to cities within Good Life Districts. The study focuses on the process established after the state sales tax rate was adjusted in October 2025, when it increased from 2.75% to 5.5% in these districts. Committee members will examine whether the current system for allocating and remitting these taxes to local cities works as intended or if changes are needed. The committee will submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislative Council or the full Legislature once the study is complete. This action does not change any laws but instead evaluates existing procedures to ensure they function properly.

Maddy summaryLB 207 creates a tiered registration fee for alternative fuel vehicles under Nebraska's Motor Vehicle Registration Act. It charges a base $150 fee for most alternative fuel vehicles (reduced to $75 for motorcycles and plug-in hybrids), but imposes a three-times higher fee ($450) for commercially registered vehicles over 7,500 lbs gross weight. The revenue from these fees is directed to the Highway Trust Fund. This bill directly affects commercial fleet operators using alternative fuel vehicles weighing more than 7,500 pounds, modifying their registration costs under existing law.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution (LR 332) formally congratulates Ezra Millard Elementary School in Millard, Nebraska, for being named a 2025 Nebraska Department of Education Blue Ribbon School. The resolution recognizes the school's achievement in meeting two criteria: exemplary academic performance based on state assessments and closing achievement gaps between student groups. It has no binding effect or policy changes - it is purely ceremonial, with no impact on funding, regulations, or school operations. The resolution was adopted by the Nebraska Legislature in February 2026 and will be sent to the school as a formal acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $164,210 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2025-26 and $50,800 for 2026-27 to the Department of Revenue’s Program 102. The funds are designated to support implementation of Legislative Bill 707 (a prior bill from the 2025 session), with spending limits of $37,000 for salaries/per diems in 2025-26 and $38,200 in 2026-27. It is a funding measure, not a policy change, directly affecting state budget operations rather than citizens or specific programs.

Maddy summaryLB 707 amends three related bills: the sales tax rate provisions, the Good Life Transformational Projects Act, and the Good Life District Economic Development Act. It primarily changes deadlines from "July" to "October" for certain funding decisions and clarifies financial terms like "refunds" and "reductions from allocated amounts" in project funding. The bill directly affects local economic development projects and their funding mechanisms under these acts. These are technical adjustments to existing law, not new policy changes.

Maddy summaryNebraska bill LB 279 would change the state's vehicle registration law to allow most passenger vehicles to display only one license plate (instead of two) when operated on highways. Currently, most vehicles require plates on both front and rear, but this bill would require only a rear plate for standard passenger cars, with a $50 annual fee for those opting for the single-plate option (plus a windshield decal). It specifically amends sections of the Motor Vehicle Registration Act to replace the two-plate requirement with a single-plate standard for most vehicles, while maintaining existing exceptions for certain vehicle types like trailers and motorcycles. The bill does not affect current registration fees for vehicles already displaying two plates.

Maddy summaryNebraska bill LB 401 updates rules for sales and use tax filings and compliance for retailers. It changes filing frequencies based on annual tax liability: annual filings for businesses owing under $900 yearly, quarterly for $900-$3,000, and monthly for over $3,000. The bill also adds a reconciliation requirement where businesses must adjust payments if discrepancies exceed 10% of what was paid, with a 50% penalty on unpaid amounts. It clarifies rules for seasonal retailers and accounts receivable transfers, including surety bond requirements for subsidiaries handling unpaid taxes. This directly affects retailers and businesses collecting Nebraska sales tax.

Maddy summaryLB 278 requires insurance companies in Nebraska to provide clear, easy-to-understand information about coverage, costs, and prior authorization rules to consumers before they buy a policy. It mandates that insurers make customer satisfaction survey results available upon request and establish committees with provider input to review medical policies and quality standards. The bill also standardizes how insurers credential healthcare providers (allowing annual applications) and creates formal appeal processes for providers who are denied contracts or excluded from networks. Additionally, it prohibits excluding providers who treat patients with complex medical conditions or hold specific permits, unless they fail to meet established quality or access criteria.