Rep. Danielle Conrad

Maddy summaryLB 192 modifies Nebraska's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility rules and removes certain administrative requirements. It temporarily increases the gross income eligibility limit to 165% of the federal poverty guideline (until October 1, 2025), while keeping net income limits unchanged, and eliminates the annual report requirement for the Department of Health and Human Services on SNAP efforts. The bill also removes the need for an evaluation report on the TANF-funded program that implemented the income change. This directly affects SNAP beneficiaries and streamlines reporting for the state agency managing the program.

Maddy summaryLB 275 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to screen all children in state custody (state wards) for eligibility for Social Security benefits within 60 days of entering care. If eligible, the department must apply for benefits, manage payments through a trust account, and provide written notices to the child (in age-appropriate language), parents, and guardian ad litem about eligibility, approvals, denials, and payment management. The bill mandates detailed accounting of benefit use and ensures funds are conserved for the child's future needs while complying with federal asset limits. This directly affects children under state care who may qualify for Social Security benefits, ensuring their potential benefits are identified and managed properly.

Maddy summaryLB 140 requires Nebraska public school districts to adopt policies governing student use of electronic devices (like phones and tablets) on school property or during school activities. The policy must generally prohibit device use, except for specific exceptions: students' individualized education plans (IEPs), approved educational activities, emergencies, health monitoring, or school authorization. School boards must develop these policies with input from students, parents, and educators. The law takes effect before the 2025-26 school year and applies directly to all public school districts in Nebraska.

Maddy summaryLB 319 adjusts Nebraska's eligibility rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by temporarily increasing the gross income threshold to 165% of the federal poverty guidelines (from the prior level) for qualifying residents. This change, effective until October 1, 2025, aims to expand access to SNAP benefits while maintaining work incentives - ensuring participants can keep benefits while seeking higher-paying jobs. The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a state outreach plan (partnering with nonprofits if needed), submit annual reports to the Legislature on program effectiveness, and evaluate administrative costs. It directly affects Nebraska residents seeking SNAP benefits, particularly those with incomes just above the previous threshold.

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 bill updates Nebraska's veterans' employment preference rules. It clarifies definitions for "veteran" (including spouses of disabled or deceased service members) and requires state employers to give preference to eligible veterans in hiring, reassignment, and promotions. For private employers, it allows voluntary written policies to prefer veterans, while specifying that applicants must provide documentation like a DD Form 214 or VA disability verification. The changes apply to all state government jobs and private employers who adopt the policy, directly affecting veterans and qualifying spouses seeking employment.

Maddy summaryLB 143 amends Nebraska's student enrollment law to extend military family enrollment protections to students with disabilities or special education needs. It requires school districts to apply their existing preliminary enrollment policies for military families - including no-charge enrollment upon arrival - to students with individualized education programs (IEPs), individualized family service plans (IFSPs), or those receiving special education services under federal law. This ensures military-connected students who require special education accommodations have equal enrollment access during relocations. The change directly affects military families with children who have disabilities or special education needs, streamlining their school enrollment process without altering other residency rules.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution (LR 65) expresses the Nebraska Legislature's condolences to the family and friends of Dave Bundy, a former Lincoln Journal Star editor and advocate for press freedom. It commemorates Bundy's 13-year service as a newspaper editor in Nebraska, his national journalism work, his advocacy for First Amendment rights, and his public battle with cancer. The resolution formally honors his contributions to Nebraska journalism and extends sympathy to his family following his death on February 23, 2025. It does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 102 updates the Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) program's "standard of need" calculation, which determines eligibility and benefit amounts. It sets a new monthly standard: $1,132.50 for a single person plus $393 for each additional household member, effective July 2026. The standard will automatically adjust every two years based on the Consumer Price Index to account for inflation. This change directly affects ADC recipients and their household benefit calculations under Nebraska law. The bill repeals the previous standard but does not alter the maximum benefit amount specified elsewhere.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 21 adopts the Uniform Unlawful Restrictions in Land Records Act to remove discriminatory property restrictions from land records. It directly affects property owners and homeowners' associations (HOAs) holding restrictions based on race, religion, sex, or other protected characteristics that violate state or federal law. The bill creates a streamlined process: owners can submit amendments to remove unlawful restrictions from their own property, while HOA governing bodies must remove such restrictions within 90 days of a member request without requiring a member vote. Amendments must be recorded in land records with specific language clarifying they only remove unlawful restrictions, not valid ones, and do not affect property conveyances.