Rep. Bob Andersen

Maddy summaryLB 427 would create state-funded savings accounts for Nebraska students in kindergarten through 12th grade attending approved public, private, denominational, or parochial schools. Starting July 1, 2026, each eligible student would receive $1,500 annually from a new "Student Savings Account Support Fund" to cover qualified expenses like tuition, textbooks, and educational therapies. Funds cannot be used for transportation, food, clothing, or basic supplies. Accounts follow students if they switch schools within Nebraska and terminate upon graduation or loss of eligibility.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 424 limits how much property taxes can increase annually for homeowners. It caps yearly tax bill increases at the lesser of the inflation rate (based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index) or 3%, preventing rapid spikes. This directly affects property owners whose annual tax bills would otherwise rise faster than this limit, unless the increase results from home improvements. The bill applies to all real property tax bills issued in Nebraska.

Maddy summaryLB 661 amends Nebraska law to clarify investment duties for the Nebraska Investment Council, state investment officer, and State Treasurer regarding retirement system funds. The bill requires these officials to act as fiduciaries solely for the benefit of retirement plan members and beneficiaries, while prohibiting investments in "restricted entities" - specifically Chinese companies designated by U.S. executive orders or lists like the Specially Designated Nationals List. It mandates divestment from such restricted entities when identified and requires annual reports on certain investments. The bill directly affects Nebraska's public employee retirement systems, school employee retirement funds, educational savings plans, and the Achieving a Better Life Experience program.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 550 requires school districts to adopt a policy allowing students to miss one class period weekly for religious instruction courses, provided parents/guardians give written consent. The policy mandates sponsoring religious organizations to track attendance, handle transportation, assume liability during instruction, and use secular evaluation criteria (like class hours or syllabus review) if academic credit is offered. School districts cannot use public funds for these courses beyond minimal administrative costs, and students remain counted as attending for funding purposes during excused time. Violations allow affected parties to sue school districts for damages, attorney fees, or other relief.

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 summaryNebraska's LB 193 creates a new "Committee on Pacific Conflict" to prepare for potential regional or global conflicts centered on the Pacific theater. The committee, consisting of seven voting members (including state officials like the Homeland Security Director and infrastructure representatives) and four non-voting legislative members, will assess threats to supply chains, critical infrastructure, and security - particularly disruptions involving China or other Pacific nations. It mandates quarterly meetings (with security exemptions from public records), requires an annual state threat assessment from the Governor, and allows for confidential reports on security vulnerabilities. The bill directly affects state officials, critical infrastructure operators, and emergency planning efforts within Nebraska.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 272 expands homestead tax exemptions to include veterans with 10-99% service-connected disabilities (previously only 100% disability was covered) and their eligible surviving spouses. It directly affects disabled veterans receiving VA compensation for partial disabilities (not total exemption under other sections), as well as their unremarried spouses or surviving spouses who remarried after age 57. The bill adds a new eligibility category (subsection 2(g)) effective January 1, 2026, requiring annual tax exemption applications with VA certification - except for every fifth year. This changes prior rules that limited exemptions to 100% disabled veterans or specific surviving spouse scenarios.

Maddy summaryLB 426 requires Nebraska schools to implement a mandatory American flag education program for students in grades 5-8. This program includes teaching flag etiquette, history, and the U.S. Flag Code, with each student receiving a 3x5-foot flag and booklet. The costs would be covered using existing lottery funds allocated for education or private donations. The bill also strengthens broader civic education requirements, mandating school committees to review curricula to ensure they cover American history, patriotism, and contributions of all ethnic groups, with specific assessments for students. It directly affects all public, private, denominational, and parochial schools in Nebraska serving grades 5-8.

Maddy summaryLB 658 requires manufacturers of plant-based, lab-grown, or insect-based meat alternatives (called "manufactured-protein food products") to clearly label products using meat-related terms (like "beef" or "chicken") with a prominent qualifying term (e.g., "plant-based" or "lab-grown") directly adjacent to the meat term. It also mandates that such products be stored separately from actual meat in retail settings, using distinct shelf tags to avoid consumer confusion. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture will enforce these labeling rules and investigate complaints about misleading advertising or misbranding. This bill directly affects food companies producing meat alternatives and retailers selling them, ensuring consumers can easily distinguish plant-based/insect-based products from traditional meat.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LB 379) increases the maximum time limit for cash assistance under Nebraska's Welfare Reform Act from 24 months to 60 months (5 years) for families with children. It directly affects low-income families receiving cash assistance, extending their eligibility period while adding specific conditions: assistance may be extended if the state fails to meet self-sufficiency contract terms, if no jobs paying at least the assistance amount are available, or if extreme hardship (inability to cover basic needs like food, housing, or child care) exists. The bill also clarifies that work-related child care assistance remains available after cash assistance ends, with cost-sharing based on income thresholds tied to federal poverty levels.