Rep. John Cavanaugh

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 780 requires all health insurance plans sold in the state to cover eating disorder treatment starting January 1, 2027. This includes medical, psychological, pharmaceutical care, nutritional counseling, and all treatment levels (inpatient to intensive outpatient), without denying coverage based on body weight, BMI, or prior treatment history. The bill prohibits insurers from applying stricter limits to eating disorder benefits than those for medical/surgical care and mandates that treatment reviews be conducted by specialists in eating disorders. It directly affects insurance providers operating in Nebraska and individuals seeking eating disorder treatment covered under these plans.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 779 prohibits health care facilities and medical debt collection agencies from charging interest or late fees on medical debt for 90 days after the final invoice is due, with any annual interest capped at 3%. The bill also prevents liens or foreclosures on a patient's primary residence to collect unpaid medical bills. It directly affects patients who owe medical debt by limiting collection practices and protecting their homes from debt-related property seizures. The law applies to all medical debt defined as obligations for health care services, as specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryLB 805 requires most health insurance plans in Nebraska to cover cranial helmets for infants under one year old with specific conditions, including deformational plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) or craniosynostosis (premature skull fusion). The bill applies to individual/group health policies, hospital/surgical plans, and self-funded employer plans (unless federal law preempts it), excluding short-term major medical plans and limited-benefit policies. Insurance companies must cover these helmets as prescribed by a doctor, ensuring families don't face out-of-pocket costs for this treatment. This directly affects infants with these conditions and their health insurers across the state.

Maddy summaryNebraska bill LB 1217 allows public, private, denominational, and parochial schools to keep epinephrine (approved by the FDA) on hand for emergency use. The bill authorizes schools to administer epinephrine to students experiencing allergic reactions, directly affecting school staff and students with severe allergies. Schools must obtain authorization from the State Department of Education to maintain epinephrine in emergency first aid situations. This policy change simplifies access to life-saving treatment during allergic emergencies without requiring individual prescriptions for each student.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LB 850) amends Nebraska's Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act to explicitly allow cities of metropolitan class (over 50,000 residents) and primary class (20,000-50,000 residents) to use existing economic development funds for housing construction or rehabilitation. It specifically authorizes these funds for housing projects targeting low/moderate-income residents, workforce housing plans, or affordable housing action plans (as defined in Section 19-5505). The bill updates definitions to include housing construction/rehabilitation as a qualifying business activity for these cities. This change expands current allowable uses of economic development programs without creating new funding. The bill focuses on streamlining how cities can address housing needs through existing local economic development tools.

Maddy summaryLB 773 extends Nebraska's Prenatal Plus Program beyond its original 2028 end date, ensuring continued support for at-risk mothers. The bill modifies eligibility requirements, updates which services qualify for reimbursement (including nutrition counseling, psychosocial support, and breastfeeding sessions), and extends the Department of Health and Human Services' annual reporting requirement through 2034. This program directly affects pregnant and postpartum mothers in Nebraska who qualify as "at-risk" due to factors affecting maternal or infant health. The changes make the program permanent (removing the sunset date), clarify covered services, and require longer-term data collection on program outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Nebraska's natural resources districts to create and run programs focused on soil health and water conservation. It gives districts new authority to conduct demonstration projects showing effective conservation methods (like preventing soil erosion) and to host educational events for farmers and the public about protecting natural resources. Districts must coordinate these programs with the University of Nebraska and other state agencies. The bill directly affects natural resources districts, landowners (who must consent to district projects on their property), and agricultural producers participating in the programs.

Maddy summaryLB 1215 requires Nebraska government agencies (political subdivisions) to pay prime contractors within 30 days of receiving valid invoices and prime contractors to pay subcontractors within 7 days. It mandates public posting of all $50,000+ procurement solicitations 14 days before bids close on a searchable online calendar, and requires agencies to provide written debriefs to unsuccessful bidders within 10 business days. The bill also creates a public small business procurement checklist and voids contract clauses delaying subcontractor payments. These changes aim to improve transparency and cash flow for contractors, particularly small businesses, and expire on July 1, 2030.

Maddy summaryNebraska bill LB 1147 requires the Auditor of Public Accounts to investigate and report quarterly on any delays or withholding of funds by the Governor or executive branch officials. It mandates that the Auditor produce detailed reports - including amounts, dates, reasons, affected departments, and fiscal impacts - after receiving complaints from legislators, state agencies, or eligible fund recipients. The bill directly affects the Governor’s office and executive branch when they impound funds, increasing legislative oversight of such actions. This transparency measure does not prevent impoundment but ensures regular, detailed reporting to the Legislature.

Maddy summaryLB 1087 establishes the Nebraska-Ireland Commission to strengthen economic and cultural ties between Nebraska and Ireland. The commission, made up of 9 members including state agency directors, business representatives, educational leaders, and nonprofit advocates appointed by the governor, will focus on boosting trade, academic exchanges, and joint policy efforts. It creates a dedicated Nebraska-Ireland Fund, administered by the Department of Economic Development, to cover operational costs and support the commission's activities. The commission must submit annual reports to the governor and legislature starting in 2027, detailing its progress and recommendations. This bill directly affects Nebraska state agencies, businesses, and educational institutions working to build relationships with Ireland.