Rep. Barry DeKay

Maddy summaryLB 660 adopts two new acts: the State Building Construction Alternatives Act, which creates new contracting methods (like design-build and construction manager contracts) for state building projects, and the Secure Drone Purchasing Act. It requires state agencies (such as Corrections, Transportation, and the State Building Division) to seek approval from the Director of Administrative Services before using these methods, especially for projects over $30 million, and mandates justification based on cost, schedule, or complexity. The bill also updates rules for agency procurement, building regulations, and acquisition of art for state buildings, while excluding universities and specific existing laws like the Public Water Project Contracting Act. It does not include detailed provisions for the Secure Drone Purchasing Act in the provided text.

Maddy summaryLB 245 updates Nebraska's food safety regulations by amending the Pure Food Act and Weights and Measures Act. It harmonizes state rules with current federal standards, specifically adopting the 2022 FDA Food Code (excluding certain definitions like "adulterated food"). The bill clarifies exemptions for small-scale food operations, including home-based sales at farmers markets, bake sales, and temporary events like festivals, while removing outdated sections of the law. These changes directly affect small vendors, home cooks, and temporary food sellers by reducing regulatory burdens for specific activities. The law also updates requirements for food facility permits and equipment standards.

Maddy summaryLB 50 changes how revenue from Nebraska's nameplate capacity tax on renewable energy facilities is distributed. Five percent of the tax revenue will go directly to the community college in the area where the renewable energy facility (like wind or solar farms) is located. The remaining revenue will be distributed to local governments (cities, counties) that would have collected property taxes on the facility if it weren't exempt, calculated based on each government's share of typical property tax revenue. This distribution continues until the facility's equipment is sold or removed, and the tax revenue cannot be redirected to the state General Fund.

Maddy summaryLB 382 redirects $2 million annually from Nebraska's Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund to reimburse the state's eight Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) for eligible activities and services defined under existing law. The bill specifically appropriates these funds for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27, with an equal share distributed to each AAA. This ensures AAAs receive reimbursement for costs related to services supporting older Nebraskans, such as transportation, meals, and home care, as outlined in section 81-2222. The bill amends existing funding mechanisms to prioritize these reimbursements while maintaining current eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a binding law) congratulating Jordy Bahl, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln softball player, on becoming the first Big Ten athlete to win both Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year awards in the same season. The resolution formally recognizes her athletic achievements, including her 1.46 ERA, 23-5 record, and .467 batting average during the season. It directs the Nebraska Legislature to send a copy of the resolution to Bahl as a formal expression of recognition. The resolution has no policy impact or effect on laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 246 prohibits the sale of cultivated-protein food products (lab-grown meat made from animal cells grown in labs) under the state's Pure Food Act. The bill amends food safety laws to explicitly classify these products as "adulterated food," making their sale illegal without new regulatory approval. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of lab-grown meat products within Nebraska. The key mechanism adds "cultivated-protein food products" to the definition of adulterated food under Section 81-2,282, while linking violations to deceptive trade practices under Section 87-302. This creates an immediate legal barrier to selling such products under current food safety standards.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (LR 178) directs Nebraska's Agriculture Committee to conduct an interim study on issues within its jurisdiction during the legislative break. The committee will examine relevant topics, then submit findings and recommendations to the Legislative Council or Legislature. It does not change existing laws or directly affect specific groups; instead, it prepares the legislature for potential future policy decisions related to agriculture. This procedural step is purely for information gathering, with no immediate policy impact.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution (LR 179) directs Nebraska's Agriculture Committee to conduct an interim study on occupational regulations for livestock dealers under the existing Nebraska Livestock Dealer Licensing Act. The study aims to review these regulations in relation to the broader Occupational Board Reform Act, focusing on how licensing rules affect the industry. The committee will report its findings and recommendations to the Legislative Council or Legislature after completing the review. This resolution is procedural - it does not change laws but sets up a review process to inform potential future reforms for livestock dealers. The study is currently pending referral to the Agriculture Committee.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (LR 180) directs Nebraska's Health and Human Services Committee to conduct an interim study on nursing facility care availability and sustainability across the state. It specifically examines access for older Nebraskans (over 34% are 50+), rural accessibility challenges, Medicaid payment rates, workforce issues, and barriers to care. The study will analyze current and future needs, particularly for Medicaid beneficiaries relying on nursing facilities. This resolution does not change laws but will produce findings and recommendations for the Legislature.

Maddy summaryLB 561 modifies Nebraska's vehicle length regulations to create a specific exception for raw milk transport. It adds Section 2(1)(k) to existing law, allowing "overweight raw-milk vehicles" to exceed standard length limits (typically 40-65 feet) when authorized under Section 4 of the bill. This directly affects dairy producers and transport companies moving raw milk, granting them flexibility for vehicle dimensions that would otherwise violate general length restrictions. The provision ensures raw milk vehicles can operate within legal limits without requiring separate permits for length compliance.