LB 844 amends Nebraska's Site and Building Development Fund to allocate $500,000 for a study identifying large industrial sites (500-1,000 acres for "super sites," over 1,000 acres for "mega sites") across the state. The study must assess infrastructure needs (transportation, utilities), workforce availability within 50 miles, and required state investments to attract major employers in sectors like manufacturing, agribusiness, and clean energy. At least one site must be located west of the 100th meridian. The bill also allocates $100,000 for a grant under related provisions to support site development projects in future fiscal years.
Nebraska's LB 1120 authorizes licensed organizations to conduct lotteries and raffles with progressive jackpots - where prize pools grow until won - under the existing Nebraska Lottery and Raffle Act and Nebraska Small Lottery and Raffle Act. The bill requires organizers to register these games with the Department of Revenue, post clear rules publicly, and use at least 50% of gross proceeds for prizes (down from the standard 65% for regular games). It also permits selling tickets via vending machines and online through a licensed organization's website, while maintaining requirements for ticket transparency and equal odds. This bill directly affects nonprofit and community groups operating licensed lotteries or raffles in Nebraska.
This bill directs Nebraska's Legislature to reduce General Funds by $5.2 million for the Department of Correctional Services' Operations (Program 200) at the McCook Detention Facility for fiscal year 2026-27. It simultaneously requires the Department to use $5 million of General Funds for reentry and reintegration programs, covering tuition, fees, and direct costs for committed offenders. The bill directly affects the Department of Correctional Services' budget allocation and committed offenders participating in these programs. It mandates a specific reallocation of funds from facility operations to offender reentry services without creating new programs or altering eligibility.
LB 839 amends Nebraska's Municipal Density and Missing Middle Housing Act to update reporting requirements for cities. It requires cities to submit biennial reports to the Urban Affairs Committee detailing efforts related to affordable housing, including whether they have adopted or implemented an affordable housing action plan (new requirement added at subsection (m)). This directly affects all Nebraska cities with residential zoning, as they must now report on their progress toward housing affordability goals. The bill streamlines reporting by modifying Section 19-5504, repealing the original section while adding specific new data points for transparency.
Nebraska's LB 1005 allows all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility-type vehicles (UTVs) to operate between sunset and sunrise in incorporated cities or villages under specific safety conditions. The bill requires vehicles to have properly functioning white headlights (illuminating 100 feet ahead) and red taillights visible from 500 feet behind, along with liability insurance, a valid operator license, and a speed limit of 30 mph. It specifically permits nighttime operation for snow removal within city limits or for other authorized purposes, while maintaining existing daytime operation rules. This change directly affects ATV/UTV operators in Nebraska cities and villages who previously could only operate these vehicles during daylight hours.
Nebraska's LB 828 redefines "gift enterprise" in state law to clarify rules for business promotions involving chance and prizes, such as raffles tied to product purchases. It explicitly excludes bingo, keno, slot machines, and pickle cards while requiring promotional tickets to display the operator's name, avoid cost-per-play markings, and not resemble approved pickle cards. The bill restricts operators (businesses running these promotions) from rigging games, unfairly disqualifying winners, or charging entry fees beyond normal product costs, and mandates full disclosure of terms to participants. These rules apply to businesses, financial institutions, and credit unions conducting such promotions within Nebraska, with enforcement handled by the Department of Revenue.
LB 893 changes Nebraska's substitute teacher certification requirements by replacing the existing human relations training mandate with a new interpersonal relations training course. Substitute teachers seeking certification would complete an online course and test developed by the State Department of Education instead of the current human relations training. The bill requires the Department to create this course and test, covering similar content to the previous requirement, and allows the Department to charge a fee covering service costs. This directly affects substitute teachers applying for certification in Nebraska who would now have this alternative pathway.
LB 947 modifies Nebraska's agricultural fee structures and fund management under the Plant Protection and Plant Pest Act and Pesticide Act. It changes registration fees for pesticides, eliminates the Weed Book Cash Fund (related to the "Weeds of the Great Plains" publication), and terminates the Nebraska Potato Development Fund, transferring remaining funds as specified. The bill also adjusts how the Department of Agriculture administers the Noxious Weed Control Fund and removes obsolete provisions. These changes primarily affect agricultural businesses paying fees, county weed control programs, and the Department's budget management.
LB 1176 modifies Nebraska's traffic laws to allow speed control enforcement systems in highway work zones, which use cameras to photograph vehicles exceeding the speed limit by 11 mph or more. This directly affects drivers in construction zones and law enforcement agencies, requiring clear signage and visible officer presence during enforcement. The bill also redefines "automatic license plate reader system" to exclude speed enforcement technology, clarifying that such systems cannot be used for criminal investigations under the Privacy Act. Key provisions include new definitions for terms like "alert" and "secured area" to strengthen privacy protections for license plate data collected by law enforcement. The bill repeals prior sections to implement these specific changes to traffic enforcement and privacy rules.
LB 1050 amends Nebraska's Reading Improvement Act to require students in kindergarten through third grade to meet a reading proficiency threshold before advancing to fourth grade. School districts must administer approved reading assessments three times annually, identifying students scoring below the threshold as having a "reading deficiency" that prevents grade advancement until proficiency is achieved. The bill establishes specific performance thresholds for assessments and creates a test-based portfolio option by January 2027 to demonstrate grade-level reading mastery. This directly affects K-3 students in Nebraska public schools, requiring them to demonstrate grade-level reading skills before moving to fourth grade.
LB 1024 requires Nebraska school districts to include age-appropriate instruction on the history of communism in social studies curricula starting with the 2027-28 school year. The bill mandates coverage of specific topics, including domestic communist movements in the U.S., atrocities under foreign communist regimes, comparisons with democratic principles, and historical events like the Soviet Union's history and Cultural Revolution. This affects all Nebraska public school students in social studies classes, with school districts required to consult the State Department of Education and committees on American civics to align curricula with these standards. The bill amends existing education statutes to integrate this content into academic standards and ensures school committees review curricula to meet these requirements.
LB 1164, the Prior Learning Act, requires Nebraska's public colleges and universities to allow students to earn college credit for prior learning - such as military training, work experience, or professional certifications - by passing approved exams. The state education commission must approve a list of these exams and set minimum passing scores (cut scores) by September 2026. Institutions must develop and publish policies for awarding credit, prioritizing it for general education or major requirements over electives, and report annually on student usage and credit awarded. This directly affects students seeking to accelerate degree completion and public institutions administering credit.
