Rep. Margo Juarez

Maddy summaryLB 520 sets new safety and food standards for Nebraska bed and breakfast establishments (B&Bs), directly affecting small operators who run their homes as lodging. It defines B&Bs as single-family dwellings with max 10 rooms or 20 guests, requiring them to follow strict food safety rules: using only pasteurized milk, prohibiting home-canned food (except jams/jellies), maintaining specific food temperatures, and mandating food handler certification. The bill also requires B&Bs to comply with the State Fire Code, including exit safety and fire prevention measures. These changes apply to all B&Bs operating under the defined limits, replacing previous exemptions under the Nebraska Pure Food Act.

Maddy summaryLB 517 requires Nebraska school districts to provide the state school security director with annual inspection reports for protective door assemblies (including panic hardware, electronically controlled egress doors, and delayed egress systems), door-locking systems, and double-entry doors in school buildings. This affects all public school districts in Nebraska, mandating they submit specific security information to the state director annually. The bill defines "protective door assemblies" to cover key entry systems and adds this reporting requirement to the director's existing duties. It repeals the previous version of the statute to implement these changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Nebraska Council on Economic Education Cash Fund to support economic education programs at the University of Nebraska. It requires a $2.5 million transfer from the State Settlement Cash Fund to this new fund by July 1, 2025, for use by the University of Nebraska's Board of Regents. The bill specifies that these funds are intended for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27, with $300,000 allocated annually for economic education expenses. It repeals the original section of law it amends and declares an emergency to expedite the transfer. The bill does not change public policy but establishes a dedicated funding mechanism for university-based economic education.

Maddy summaryLB 226 allows individuals convicted of specific concealed weapon offenses under Nebraska law before September 2, 2023, to petition courts to clear their records. It creates a rebuttable presumption for relief if the conduct would not violate current law, requiring courts to consider post-conviction behavior and public safety. The bill also establishes a private legal right to sue for improper sharing of criminal history records under the Security, Privacy, and Dissemination Act and waives government immunity for such cases. This applies retroactively to past convictions, enabling affected individuals to seek record sealing through court motions.

Maddy summaryLB 524 expands Nebraska's Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act to include paraeducators - school staff providing instructional support without teaching certification - by creating new retention grants. Paraeducators working 28+ hours weekly qualify for a $1,000 grant, while part-time staff receive proportional payments based on hours worked. The bill also amends the Education Future Fund to prioritize funding for teacher and paraeducator retention programs (Section 79-1021(e)), ensuring these grants are funded through state education resources. This directly affects Nebraska public school districts and paraeducators employed in classrooms statewide.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 256 adopts the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact, creating a commission to coordinate passenger rail development across participating Midwest states. The commission, composed of state-appointed members including a Governor's designee, a private-sector representative, and two legislators from each state, will advocate for funding, develop long-term rail plans, and coordinate with federal and local entities. This bill directly affects state transportation officials and agencies in Nebraska and other Midwest states (like Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota) that join the compact. It establishes a formal structure for regional collaboration on rail projects but does not create new rail infrastructure or funding directly.

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 523, the Student Teacher Compensation Act, provides a $4,000 financial stipend per semester to student teachers in Nebraska completing a teaching practicum at participating schools. It directly affects student teachers enrolled in accredited Nebraska teacher education programs who demonstrate financial need and are placed in public or private schools for their practicum. The bill requires the State Department of Education to administer the stipend program, verify eligibility, and publish annual reports on participation and program effectiveness. It does not create new funding but declares legislative intent for annual appropriations to support the program.

Maddy summaryLB 440, the Education Leave and Support Act, creates a state fund to help school districts cover costs when teachers take federal medical leave (FMLA). It requires school districts to collect a 0.35% payroll fee from certificated teachers' wages (with employers matching this amount), which funds the State Education Leave Fund. This fund reimburses school districts for hiring substitutes during the first six weeks of a teacher's FMLA leave, ensuring teachers don’t need to use personal or sick leave during that period. Any surplus funds over 20% of annual needs will transfer to an Education Retention Fund to address teacher shortages and support professional development. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, with reimbursements starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryLB 330 adjusts Nebraska's sales tax rate to 5% starting October 1, 2025 (down from 5.5%), with reduced rates for certain transactions in designated "good life districts." It creates the Alcohol Addiction Prevention and Treatment Fund, directing 50% of sales tax revenue from alcohol sales (at a 15.5% rate) to this new fund, while the other 50% goes to the Education Future Fund. The bill modifies how sales tax revenue is distributed across state funds, effective October 1, 2025, and repeals previous tax rate provisions. It directly affects all consumers purchasing taxable goods and alters state budget allocations for alcohol-related revenue.