Rep. Brian Hardin

Maddy summaryNebraska's Legislative Resolution 21 (LR 21) is a procedural application to Congress requesting a constitutional convention to propose a federal amendment limiting House and Senate members to a set number of terms. It directly seeks to initiate a process that would affect all future U.S. congressional elections by potentially restricting how many times a person can be re-elected to either chamber. The resolution specifies that Nebraska's application will be counted toward the 34-state threshold required under Article V of the Constitution, aggregating with similar applications from other states. This resolution does not create new law but is part of a state-level effort to advance term limits for federal lawmakers through the constitutional amendment process.

Maddy summaryLB 155 amends Nebraska's use-of-force statutes to remove the requirement to retreat before using deadly force when lawfully present in a motor vehicle. This applies to drivers and passengers facing immediate threats of death or serious harm, directly affecting individuals in vehicles during encounters with perceived danger. The bill specifically states that occupants are "not obliged to retreat from a motor vehicle" unless they were the initial aggressor. It updates sections 28-1406-28-1410 of Nebraska's Revised Statutes to clarify this change and harmonize related provisions.

Maddy summaryLB 629 would establish a new legal framework allowing Nebraska county voters to directly propose or reject local laws through initiatives and referendums. It grants county residents the power to initiate new ordinances or challenge existing county board decisions (excluding actions under the Nebraska Advantage Tourism Act), with defined rules for gathering signatures and processing petitions. The bill creates specific terms like "circulator" (for signature gatherers) and "measure" (for proposed or challenged county laws), governing how these processes operate. This would shift certain governance decisions from county boards to voters in all Nebraska counties, subject to the bill's provisions. The bill is currently under review by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee after its January 2025 introduction.

Maddy summaryLB 669 would revise Nebraska's abortion laws by changing consent requirements for patients seeking abortions and modifying civil action rules for abortion-related claims. The bill redefines key terms like "dismemberment abortion" (specifying procedures involving dismembering a living fetus) and "complications associated with abortion" (requiring peer-reviewed statistical evidence). It mandates providers to obtain voluntary, informed consent based on updated standards and allows civil lawsuits against non-physicians performing illegal abortions or encouraging self-abortions. The bill directly affects abortion providers, patients, and healthcare facilities by altering pre-abortion screening protocols and legal accountability. (Note: This is a proposed bill; it has not been enacted as of its 2025 introduction date.)

Maddy summaryThis bill (LB 538A) allocates $138,227 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $137,431 for 2026-27 from Nebraska’s General Fund to the State Department of Education’s Program 25. It provides funding specifically to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 538 (the parent bill), which is not described in this text. The bill sets limits on salary and per diem expenses ($66,197 for 2025-26 and $68,348 for 2026-27). As a funding measure, it does not create new policy but enables the execution of another bill’s provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LB 154) amends Nebraska's regulations for hearing instrument specialists, directly affecting professionals who fit, sell, and service hearing devices. It updates definitions (like "hearing instrument" and "hearing instrument specialist"), clarifies the scope of practice (including activities such as taking ear impressions, fitting devices, and providing post-fitting care), and harmonizes related statutes. The changes aim to modernize licensing and practice rules while maintaining clear boundaries for these specialists' authorized activities. The bill does not alter fees, funding, or create new requirements beyond refining existing professional standards.

Maddy summaryLB 172 prohibits the creation, possession, and receipt of computer-generated child pornography in Nebraska. It defines this as digital images created using AI or computer programs to depict minors in sexually explicit situations, appearing indistinguishable from real children. The bill amends Nebraska statutes (sections 28-1463.02 and 28-813.01) to explicitly ban such material, treating it as a Class IIA felony for those 19+ to possess or receive, with lower penalties for minors under specific conditions. It updates existing child pornography laws to address AI-generated content while eliminating obsolete provisions. The law directly affects anyone producing, sharing, or accessing these digital depictions.

Maddy summaryLB 538 requires all Nebraska school boards and postsecondary institutions (like colleges and universities) to adopt written policies prohibiting discrimination - including antisemitism - based on race, religion, disability, or other protected characteristics. The policies must include specific measures like ensuring equal access to programs, prohibiting biased admission criteria, and integrating the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism into student and employee conduct codes. Each school must also provide antisemitism awareness training and report incidents to a new State Department of Education Title VI coordinator, who will monitor compliance, investigate complaints, and submit annual reports to the legislature. The bill harmonizes existing requirements under federal Civil Rights law without altering First Amendment protections.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution formally congratulates the Scottsbluff High School boys basketball team for winning the 2026 Nebraska Class B State Championship. The document acknowledges their victory over the Elkhorn North Wolves and notes that this win marks the program's fifth state title and first since 2012. A copy of the resolution is sent to the team as an official gesture of recognition from the Nebraska Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs the Health and Human Services Committee to conduct an interim study on how health information is managed. The study will examine changes in federal law, technological impacts, privacy concerns, and the various entities involved in handling health data. 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 current laws but instead initiates an investigation to inform future policy decisions.