Nebraska Legislative Bill 764 (LB 764) redefines the legal definition of "law enforcement officer" to include certain employees of the Department of Correctional Services who are designated as such by the department. This change directly affects correctional staff working in state prisons or facilities who receive formal designation from their department. The bill amends Section 81-1401 of Nebraska law to add these employees to the list of individuals classified as law enforcement officers under state statutes. This adjustment aligns their legal status with existing classifications like state patrol officers and sheriff's deputies, without altering their job duties.
LB 1057 amends Nebraska's Health Care Facility Licensure Act to clarify the definition of "adult day service." It specifies that this service involves community-based care for four or more people with age or functional impairments for less than 24 hours daily. The bill explicitly excludes community-based waiver services provided by entities certified under the Developmental Disabilities Services Act or PACE centers from this definition. This change directly affects facilities seeking licensure under the Act by determining which services fall under its regulatory scope.
LB 1108 modifies bidding requirements for Nebraska joint entities (like public power districts) when purchasing electric facility contracts. It sets cost thresholds: contracts over $750,000 for smaller entities or $1.5 million for larger ones generally require competitive bidding, unless specific exceptions apply. Key exceptions include contracts for radioactive materials, unique equipment, maintenance, or replacement parts from original manufacturers, which require engineer certification and a two-thirds governing body vote. The bill also adds advertising rules for exempt contracts and allows emergency purchases for sudden facility damage without prior bidding.
LB 1091 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to provide long-term care services (like skilled nursing, nursing facility, and assisted living care) for Medicaid recipients with complex medical needs through fee-for-service Medicaid or other non-risk-based systems - instead of the state's Medicaid managed care program. It directly affects Medicaid recipients with intensive care needs and their healthcare providers, ensuring these services continue outside managed care enrollment. The bill mandates that providers serving these clients cannot be forced to join managed care organizations, while preserving care continuity and preventing increased state costs. Key provisions include defining "special needs" clients and requiring the department to update contracts and rules within six months of the law's effective date.
Nebraska's LB 1096 creates two new laws: the Preventing Lethal Agricultural and National Threats Act (PLANT) and the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act (CIPA). PLANT prohibits importing high-risk agricultural pathogens or pests without a Department of Agriculture permit, imposing Class III felony penalties for violations (Class IIA if involving concealment, foreign government ties, or $1 million+ damage). CIPA bans foreign adversaries (countries listed in federal regulations) from accessing or controlling Nebraska's critical infrastructure - including water systems, energy grids, telecom networks, and transportation - through new contracts or agreements. The bill directly affects agricultural importers, infrastructure operators, and companies owning critical systems by requiring permits for high-risk imports and restricting foreign access to infrastructure. Violations carry civil penalties for communications providers and criminal penalties under both acts.
This bill (LB 1181) strengthens victim involvement in criminal cases by requiring county attorneys to consult with victims before entering plea agreements. It mandates that victim statements be included in presentence reports and standardizes the definition of "victim" across related Nebraska statutes. The bill repeals outdated sections (29-119 and 29-120) and harmonizes provisions related to victim rights and sentencing procedures. These changes directly affect crime victims, county attorneys, and courts handling felony and misdemeanor cases.
LB 826 amends Nebraska law to change deadlines and requirements for homestead exemption applications, directly affecting homeowners and veterans seeking property tax relief. It allows late applications for specific circumstances - such as medical conditions, spouse death, or delayed veteran status certification - with a new deadline of June 30 of the year property taxes become delinquent, requiring supporting documentation. The bill also modifies veteran exemption rules, requiring annual filings only every five years (in divisible years) and ensuring surviving spouses retain the exemption for the remaining five-year period after a veteran’s death. These changes aim to provide flexibility for eligible residents while standardizing filing processes.
LB 847 adopts Nebraska's Registered Apprenticeship Act, creating a state framework for structured training programs that require at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning plus related instruction. It establishes definitions for apprentices, sponsors, and programs, mandating written agreements between apprentices and employers and requiring registration with the Nebraska Office of Registered Apprenticeship. The bill also modifies tax rate provisions under the Employment Security Law, though specific changes aren't detailed in the text. This directly affects apprentices, employers offering training, and the Nebraska Department of Labor, standardizing oversight of apprenticeships statewide.
LB 972 amends Nebraska's vehicle and licensing laws to update rules for designated parking spaces for people with disabilities, requiring clearer signage and including out-of-state permits. It changes license suspension penalties for certain traffic violations to license revocation, modifies boat title bond requirements, and introduces "Choice Color Plates" as a new license plate option while ending special interest plates. The bill also eliminates snowmobile safety certificate requirements and updates military service provisions for license holders. These changes directly affect disabled drivers, vehicle owners, and license applicants across Nebraska. The bill focuses on administrative clarity and modernizing existing vehicle regulations without creating new substantive requirements.
This bill (LB 768) amends Nebraska's housing finance laws to expand the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority's (NIFA) powers, allowing it to partner with nonprofit entities supporting housing projects. It modifies the Nebraska Affordable Housing Act, Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act, and Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Act to require the Department of Economic Development to allocate at least 30% of Affordable Housing Trust Fund dollars to each congressional district annually. The bill also eliminates the housing advisory committee and updates fund administration rules, including streamlining grant application processes and clarifying fund transfers. These changes directly affect housing developers, local governments, and low-to-moderate income residents seeking affordable housing assistance under the three affected acts.
Nebraska's LB 753 amends the Protection Orders Act to ensure military protective orders are recognized and enforced within the state. It requires peace officers to check if a military protective order exists when arresting active-duty military members and to notify the issuing authority if violations are suspected. The bill also allows military protective orders to be admitted as evidence in Nebraska court proceedings for protection orders. This directly affects military service members, their families, and civilians seeking protection orders involving military personnel. The change harmonizes state law with federal military protections without creating new obligations.
LB 921 adopts Nebraska's version of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. It requires employers with 25+ employees to provide 60 days' written notice before a business closing or mass layoff affecting 25+ workers, directly impacting Nebraska businesses and their employees. The bill mandates that notices include details like the affected site, expected dates of job losses, and job titles, while keeping employee names confidential with the Department of Labor. Employers must notify both affected workers/their representatives and the Department of Labor before implementing such changes. This replaces Nebraska's previous, less specific requirements with a standardized notice process.
