Rep. Brian Hardin

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 1197 amends rules for limited landowner hunting permits, primarily affecting landowners with qualifying agricultural property. It sets specific acreage thresholds: Nebraska residents with 80+ acres of farm/ranch land (or family members) can apply for deer, antelope, or turkey permits at half the regular fee, while non-residents need 320+ acres. The bill adds a new provision allowing up to eight special deer permits per landowner for the three days before the main season, with a $5 fee and limits of six permits for those under 19 and two for 19+ years. It also clarifies permit eligibility for partnerships, corporations, and trusts owning qualifying land, while maintaining existing rules for family definitions and species-specific allocations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Nebraska cities to include their unincorporated areas beyond city limits (up to three miles) in city election districts. It ensures residents living in these areas can vote in city elections as full city voters. The bill amends existing laws to mandate this inclusion for both metropolitan and primary-class cities. It does not change cities' zoning authority over these areas, only their electoral representation.

Maddy summaryLB 912, the Community Health Worker Training Endorsement Act, establishes a state system to recognize community health worker (CHW) training programs that meet minimum quality standards. It directly affects CHW training programs and the workers they prepare, enabling these programs to qualify for reimbursement by Medicaid and private insurers. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop rules by December 2026 defining core competencies, application processes, fees, and oversight for program endorsement. Crucially, it clarifies that this endorsement does not create licensure or certification for CHWs, nor does it expand the scope of practice for licensed health professionals. The key change is creating a standardized pathway for CHW services to be covered by insurance, improving access to community-based health support.

Maddy summaryLB 1144 amends Nebraska's Medical Assistance Act to clarify definitions and set new requirements for health insurance companies and employer-run health plans (self-funded plans). It requires these entities to share specific coverage information with the state's medical assistance department within 30 days when requested, for verifying eligibility or coordinating benefits. The bill also mandates that insurers cannot deny claims submitted by the department if filed within three years of service, as long as enforcement begins within six years. This directly affects health insurers, self-funded employers, and the state department managing medical assistance programs.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 1073 requires all commercial motor vehicle driver training programs in the state to include 30 minutes of antitrafficking training starting January 1, 2027. This applies directly to driver training schools and future commercial drivers who complete certification courses. The Attorney General must develop and update the training curriculum by December 1, 2026, and every three years thereafter, collaborating with human trafficking experts to cover recognition, prevention, and reporting. The bill repeals the previous version of the relevant licensing law to implement this requirement.

Maddy summaryNebraska bill LB 121 prohibits landfills from accepting solar panels, wind turbine blades, and their component parts. This amendment to the state's solid waste management law adds these renewable energy components to the list of materials already banned from landfill disposal, alongside items like tires, lead-acid batteries, and appliances. The bill directly affects waste management facilities, solar energy companies, and wind farm operators by requiring alternative disposal methods for these items. It does not specify new disposal requirements but mandates that these materials cannot be landfilled, aligning with broader waste management regulations. The bill is currently pending in the Natural Resources Committee.

Maddy summaryLB 657 creates a new felony offense for intentionally causing physical harm to a sports official during or immediately before/after an organized athletic event. It directly affects referees, umpires, and similar officials at all levels of organized sports (school, college, amateur, or professional) in Nebraska. The bill makes it a Class IV felony to assault such an official when the perpetrator knows or should know the victim's role, covering incidents occurring during games or right around them. This establishes specific criminal penalties for violence targeting sports officials, separate from general assault laws.

Maddy summaryLB 429 requires Nebraska school boards to provide equal access to school employees' mailboxes, meetings, and posting spaces for all professional employees' organizations (like teacher unions or professional development groups). It mandates that if one organization is allowed to recruit at employee events, display information, or post materials in school spaces, all similar organizations must receive the same access. The bill also prohibits school boards from naming school calendar days or breaks after any professional employees' organization. This applies to all school employees, including teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals, and aims to ensure fair treatment among competing professional groups.

Maddy summaryLB 678 allocates specific funds from Nebraska's General Fund for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to cover mandated costs for Nebraska State Colleges employees. It directly affects employees covered by the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, the State College Education Association, and the Nebraska State College System Professional Association. The bill provides funding for required salary increases from union agreements, minimum wage adjustments under the Wage and Hour Act, and rising health insurance premiums. This is a funding measure, not a new policy, ensuring colleges can meet existing financial obligations.

Maddy summaryNebraska bill LB 81 amends the Property Tax Incentive Act to clarify definitions and adjust tax credit calculations for school district and community college taxes. It defines "community college taxes" and "school district taxes" to exclude bonded indebtedness, voter-approved overrides, and five-year delinquent taxes. The bill changes how the refundable tax credit percentage is set, requiring the Department of Revenue to cap total credits at specific dollar amounts for 2022-2023 and link 2024 credits to the state's assessed property value growth rate. This directly affects taxpayers (individuals and businesses) who pay eligible school district or community college taxes, allowing them to claim credits against state income or franchise tax. The changes repeal prior sections and take effect immediately upon passage.