Rep. Brian Hardin

Maddy summaryLB 955 allows pharmacists in Nebraska to form written practice agreements with physician assistants (PAs) who work under collaborative agreements with physicians. These agreements enable PAs to coordinate with pharmacists to provide pharmaceutical care under specific written protocols for monitored or initiated therapies. The bill requires pharmacists to notify both the Pharmacy Board and the PA's licensing board about agreements, include signed protocols, and review agreements every two years. This change directly affects pharmacists, PAs, and their supervising physicians by creating a formalized process for collaborative patient care.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new requirements for licensed behavior analysts and modifies child care licensing rules for facilities providing applied behavior analysis (ABA) services. It prohibits remote-only supervision for ABA programs exceeding 15 hours per week per client, mandates in-person observations for supervision, and requires facilities to maintain physical presence in Nebraska. The bill exempts ABA facilities from standard child care licensing if they don’t provide custodial care or non-therapeutic recreation, but requires them to comply if offering extended care or non-billable time. Additionally, it directs the Department of Health and Human Services to review ABA services exceeding 20 hours weekly or 12 months without documented progress to ensure medical necessity.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 730 requires public schools and state agencies to designate restrooms and locker rooms based solely on biological sex (male or female), with signage indicating permitted use. It prohibits individuals from using facilities designated for the opposite sex, except for limited exceptions like custodial staff, emergency assistance, or parents accompanying children. The bill mandates that all state agencies define an individual's sex as male or female for administrative rules, enforcement, and dispute resolution, using specific biological criteria (reproductive systems producing sperm or eggs). It includes limited protections for individuals with differences in sex development under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This bill directly affects public schools and state agencies operating in Nebraska.

Maddy summaryLB 814 changes Nebraska's property tax valuation for agricultural and horticultural land, reducing the assessed value from 75% to 50% of market value starting January 1, 2027. This adjustment lowers the taxable value of such land, directly reducing property tax bills for farmers, gardeners, and landowners using property for agricultural or horticultural purposes. The bill also updates the acceptable valuation range for these lands to 44-50% of market value after 2027, replacing the previous 69-75% range. The change affects all Nebraska landowners with qualifying agricultural or horticultural land, as it modifies how their property is assessed for tax purposes.

Maddy summaryLB 1142 amends Nebraska's Visitors Development Act to restructure tourism administration and fund distribution. It creates a new Director of Tourism position within the Department of Economic Development and revises the Nebraska Tourism Commission's structure. Key provisions include redirecting 40% of cash device tax revenue to the "Nebraska Tourism Commission Promotional Cash Fund" (previously called the "State Visitors Promotion Cash Fund") and adjusting allocations for other funds like the Charitable Gaming Operations Fund. The bill directly affects tourism promotion efforts, local governments receiving tax distributions, and businesses operating cash devices like slot machines. These changes aim to streamline tourism funding and governance under the Department of Economic Development.

Maddy summaryNebraska bill LB 1143 changes how Medicaid funds are used for nursing facility care by requiring rates to be based on actual client usage and service needs, rather than fixed amounts. It mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services submit a federal application to establish a "Money Follows the Person" program by December 2026. This program would help Medicaid recipients transition from nursing homes to community-based care while maintaining their long-term care coverage. The bill directly affects Nebraska residents in nursing facilities and those eligible for community-based services under Medicaid.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Nebraska's State Procurement Act to change how emergency contracts over $50,000 are handled. It requires state agencies to get approval from their own director (or designee) for emergency contracts instead of needing preapproval from the division. The key new requirement is that agencies must provide copies of the contract and emergency justification to the Director of Administrative Services and Auditor of Public Accounts within three business days of approval. This affects all Nebraska state agencies making emergency purchases above $50,000, adding a standardized reporting step to the process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Nebraska state legislators to complete a civics assessment within 90 days of taking office. The assessment consists of 20 randomly selected questions based on the U.S. Naturalization Test, with scores published publicly on the Legislature's website and each member's official biography. Completion is mandatory but passing is not required; scores do not affect a member's ability to hold office. Legislators who do not pass may be offered a voluntary civic literacy seminar, but results remain confidential for individual questions. The Clerk of the Legislature administers the test and certifies scores.

Maddy summaryLB 1188 updates Nebraska's Foreign-owned Real Estate National Security Act by adding a new provision prohibiting the State of Nebraska and all local governments (counties, cities, etc.) from owning real estate in "adversary nations" as defined in state law. It amends existing sections to clarify that state entities cannot acquire property in countries designated as adversaries under Nebraska law, while maintaining existing restrictions on foreign individuals and corporations purchasing real estate in Nebraska. The bill does not change current rules for private foreign buyers but explicitly extends the prohibition to state-owned property holdings. It updates a federal reference in the law and repeals the original sections it amends.

Maddy summaryLB 731, the Gender Transition Malpractice Accountability Act, extends the time period for filing malpractice lawsuits related to gender-altering procedures, allowing individuals more time to seek legal action if harm is discovered later in life. It requires insurance companies to cover certain medical treatments and procedures that arise from gender-altering procedures, such as complications from surgeries or hormone therapies. The bill also modifies civil action rules under the Let Them Grow Act and excludes medical services for disorders of sex development or acute treatments for infections or injuries caused by the procedure.