Nebraska Bills

Nebraska's LB 979 amends the Game Law and State Boat Act to update funding rules and clarify enforcement procedures. It creates a "Game Law Investigation Cash Fund" requiring the Game and Parks Commission to submit detailed annual reports on expenditures - including agent salaries, wildlife purchases, and investigative equipment - to the Legislature. The bill specifies that $2 from each resident fishing permit and $2 from combination hunting/fishing permits must fund fish hatchery operations and distribution. These changes directly affect the Game and Parks Commission (which manages the funds), hunters and fishermen (who pay fees), and landowners seeking compensation for wildlife damage. The bill also refines definitions, such as clarifying "wildlife abatement" for managing animal-related threats.

LB 816 protects the confidentiality of communications between public safety personnel and peer support team members. It makes peer support meetings and related records privileged and confidential, meaning they cannot be disclosed in court, treated as public records, or used in disciplinary proceedings. This law directly affects law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and support staff (like dispatchers) who receive or provide peer support for critical incidents or personal issues. The only exceptions to confidentiality are with the recipient's written consent or if a person's safety is at immediate risk.

LB 815 imposes a 9.5-cent-per-gallon tax on diesel fuels, effective January 1, 2019, which must be paid by fuel producers, suppliers, and distributors. It changes the rules for refunding motor fuel taxes and eliminates the Ethanol Production Incentive Cash Fund, which previously provided financial support to ethanol producers. The bill also modifies or removes several provisions from the Ethanol Development Act that governed ethanol-related tax programs. Additionally, it repeals multiple sections of existing law related to fuel taxes and ethanol incentives.

LB 1075 amends Nebraska's Election Act to update voting procedures and village governance. It requires village boards to formally authorize clerks to issue warrants during board vacancies (affecting small municipalities), updates election worker training and appointment rules, and removes provisions for initiative/referendum petitions. Key changes include clarifying clerk authority during vacancies, standardizing election worker requirements, and modifying school district election processes. The bill also eliminates outdated election petition rules and harmonizes related statutes. (5 sentences)

LB 894 updates Nebraska's Grain Dealer Act by changing annual licensing fees and security requirements for grain dealers. It sets an annual license fee at $100 (capped at $1,500 per license) and requires grain dealers to provide security of $35,000 to $1,000,000, calculated based on their direct grain purchases. The bill redefines "grain dealer" to clarify who is covered (excluding certain warehouse licensees) and "grain" to include specific agricultural commodities like organic products. These changes directly affect businesses buying grain from producers for resale or acting as marketing agents, aiming to modernize oversight while protecting producers' interests.

LB 727 authorizes Nebraska law enforcement agencies to obtain and maintain EpiPens (epinephrine autoinjectors) for officers to use during emergencies involving severe allergic reactions. It requires officers to complete approved training programs - approved by the Department of Health and Human Services - before administering an EpiPen while on duty. The bill specifies that agencies are not required to provide EpiPens, and officers are not required to carry or use them. Participation is voluntary for both agencies and officers, with training certification needed for any use.

This bill requires mutual insurance holding companies in Nebraska to provide electronic notice of annual meetings to members using specific, reasonable methods. It specifies that electronic notice is valid if sent to a member's designated email or published on a website they've been informed about, and must include all required meeting details and voting instructions. Companies must maintain records of electronic delivery (like logs or receipts) and cannot prevent members from requesting printed materials at no cost. The bill updates notice requirements under the Mutual Insurance Holding Company Act, ensuring clear, accessible communication for members while allowing electronic participation options.

LB 1135 amends Nebraska's Municipal Land Bank Act to standardize board composition requirements for land banks created by single or multiple municipalities. It requires boards to have at least seven voting members (an odd number), with a majority residing within the creating municipality, and mandates specific expertise in areas like housing, real estate, banking, and community development. The bill also requires representation from chambers of commerce, banking, real estate development, and affordable housing sectors, while ensuring racial/ethnic diversity where possible. These changes apply directly to municipalities operating land banks, aiming to harmonize governance rules and clarify board qualifications.

LB 820 modifies Nebraska's public employee retirement system rules. It requires state employees participating in retirement systems to maintain specific approved identification documents (like driver's licenses, birth certificates, or immigration documents) proving U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, and to produce these upon request. The bill also renames "state transfers" as "state contributions," changes the title of the retirement systems' executive director, eliminates obsolete provisions from retirement laws, and adjusts rules for school district contributions and tax withholdings related to deferred compensation. These changes directly affect all Nebraska state employees enrolled in public retirement systems.

LB 1010 allows Nebraska electric districts to use eminent domain (government power to acquire property) for energy storage facilities, including batteries and other systems for storing electricity. It specifically prohibits consumer-owned electric cooperatives from using eminent domain to take privately developed renewable energy projects (like wind farms and their related infrastructure) that meet requirements under Section 70-1014.02. The bill updates rules for how utilities apply for permits, file notices, and handle violations related to energy storage resources. These changes aim to clarify legal authority for energy storage while protecting existing renewable energy investments.

Nebraska's LB 913 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to appoint a dementia services coordinator by a specified date. This coordinator will directly assist individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia and their caregivers by connecting them to resources, collecting data on dementia impacts, and evaluating service needs across the state. Key responsibilities include serving as a referral hub, recommending policy and funding changes, monitoring the state's dementia care plan, and organizing community solutions. The bill aims to improve coordinated care access for affected Nebraskans through these specific, actionable duties.

LB 867 amends multiple Nebraska statutes governing health and human services programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. It directly affects individuals receiving state benefits, including those in medical assistance, child care, and the "Bridge to Independence" program for young adults. Key changes include eliminating spousal asset requirements for medical assistance, adjusting eligibility for the Bridge to Independence program, modifying child care grant funding, and removing obsolete provisions like the Maternal and Child Health Work Fund. The bill also repeals outdated rules, such as the Nurse Licensure Compact and certain fingerprint requirements under the Uniform Credentialing Act.