Maddy summaryLB 14, the Hunger-Free Schools Act, requires all Nebraska public and nonprofit private schools participating in federal meal programs to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student during the school day. It replaces previous reimbursement systems by having the State Department of Education reimburse schools for meals that would otherwise cost students (like reduced-price or full-price meals), based on differences between federal free-meal rates and standard rates. Schools with high poverty rates (62.5% or more students eligible for free meals) must use the federal "community eligibility" program to maximize funding. This directly affects school districts and participating private schools, ensuring all students receive free meals while aligning state funding with federal nutrition program rules.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryLB 508 requires that the Nebraska National Guard can only be deployed for active combat in U.S. military service if the U.S. Congress has declared war or authorized such deployment under the Constitution. The Governor must review all current federal orders deploying the Guard to verify compliance with this rule and immediately return Guard members to Nebraska if an order is found non-compliant. The Governor must then submit a report to the Legislature within 30 days summarizing the review and any actions taken. This law directly affects the Nebraska National Guard's deployment decisions and the Governor's oversight of federal military orders.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Nebraska's tax code to adopt the First-Time Homebuyers Savings Account Act, though the provided text primarily details tax adjustments for educational savings programs (specifically referencing the Nebraska educational savings plan trust and "Achieving a Better Life Experience" accounts). It would allow taxpayers to subtract contributions made to these educational savings accounts from their federal adjusted gross income for state tax purposes. The bill directly affects Nebraska residents who contribute to these specific savings programs. The provisions are procedural tax adjustments, not new funding or direct homebuyer assistance. (Note: The bill title references homebuyers, but the text provided focuses on educational savings; no homebuyer-specific provisions appear in the truncated text.)
Maddy summaryThis Nebraska constitutional amendment (LR 27CA) proposes increasing the limit for consecutive service in the state legislature from two to three terms. If approved by voters in 2026, it would amend Article III, Section 12 to allow legislators to serve up to three consecutive terms (previously two), while excluding service before 2001 from counting toward the limit. The bill directly affects all current and future Nebraska state legislators seeking re-election, changing the term limit requirement without altering other eligibility rules. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 general election.
Maddy summaryLB 44 amends Nebraska's law governing postconviction relief by changing the one-year deadline for prisoners to file motions challenging their convictions. It adds six specific triggers for when this deadline begins, including when new constitutional rights are recognized by courts, when state actions prevented filing, or when new evidence could be discovered through due diligence. The bill directly affects incarcerated individuals seeking to overturn convictions based on constitutional violations. This change extends the filing window under these defined circumstances without altering the one-year duration itself.
Maddy summaryLB 370 amends Nebraska's law governing college athletes' name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. It clarifies that student-athletes may enter contracts for NIL compensation from third parties or collectives without penalty, and prohibits schools or athletic associations from penalizing athletes for earning such income. The bill defines key terms like "athlete agent," "NIL collective," and "compensation for NIL activities," while requiring written agency agreements and setting rules for professional representation. This directly affects Nebraska college athletes, their agents, schools, and third-party sponsors involved in NIL deals.
Maddy summaryLB 34 would establish year-round daylight saving time in Nebraska, eliminating the current seasonal time change. It amends statutes to set Nebraska's standard time permanently to daylight saving time (UTC-5 in the central zone, UTC-6 in the mountain zone), affecting all residents and businesses. Key provisions update election hours (e.g., polls closing at 8 p.m. statewide instead of 7 p.m. in mountain time zones) and adjust state employee schedules (e.g., sick leave and vacation balances calculated using daylight saving time references). The bill repeals existing seasonal time change language in sections 49-1301 and 49-1302.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs Nebraska's Legislature to appropriate $600,000 annually from the General Fund for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 specifically for interpreter services at the Supreme Court. It directly affects deaf, hard of hearing, and non-English-speaking individuals who need court interpreters. The bill mandates that these funds be used exclusively for increasing payments to interpreter service providers for these court-related needs. It does not create new rules but allocates existing state funds to support language access in the Supreme Court.
Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 273 clarifies the authority of healthcare agents (appointed under a power of attorney) by specifying what decisions they can and cannot make. It prohibits agents from consenting to acts the principal couldn't legally consent to, making decisions affecting an unborn child during pregnancy (unless the principal's life is at risk), or determining life-sustaining treatment (covered under a separate law). The bill requires healthcare providers to verify the agent's authority through a signed document and ensures agents act only after a legal determination of the principal's incapacity. This directly affects Nebraskans using healthcare powers of attorney, their appointed agents, and healthcare providers who must follow these updated guidelines.
Maddy summaryLB 367 prohibits licensed medical and mental health professionals (including doctors, psychologists, nurses, and pharmacists) from providing conversion therapy, gender identity conversion therapy, or sexual orientation conversion therapy to individuals under 19 years old. The bill amends Nebraska’s Uniform Credentialing Act to add "providing conversion therapy" as a specific ground for disciplinary action, including license suspension or revocation. It also bans the use of state funds for conversion therapy and defines the prohibited practice as any effort to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The law directly affects practitioners in the Medicine and Surgery, Mental Health, Nurse, Pharmacy, and Psychology practice acts.