LB 442 establishes a Nebraska state child care subsidy program to assist families with incomes between 130% and 400% of the federal poverty level. The program will provide sliding-scale payments where families pay no more than 39% of their gross income for child care, based on a fixed-rate schedule updated annually. It is funded by a 0.52% payroll tax (39% employer, 13% employee) and includes specific provisions for qualified apprentice workers and child care providers. The program begins October 1, 2026, with eligibility determined by income and provider background checks.
LB 634 creates the Legislative Sunset Review Committee to periodically evaluate state agencies and commissions (called "reviewable entities") established by the Nebraska Legislature. It requires these entities to submit detailed performance reports every five years, including data on costs, effectiveness, public input, and potential duplication. The committee will review these reports and recommend to the Legislature whether to maintain, modify, or eliminate each entity. This bill directly affects all state boards, councils, commissions, and similar bodies created by the Legislature, replacing the previous Planning Committee with this new review process. The committee will begin its reviews in 2027, with initial appointments scheduled for 2026.
Nebraska's LB 272 expands homestead tax exemptions to include veterans with 10-99% service-connected disabilities (previously only 100% disability was covered) and their eligible surviving spouses. It directly affects disabled veterans receiving VA compensation for partial disabilities (not total exemption under other sections), as well as their unremarried spouses or surviving spouses who remarried after age 57. The bill adds a new eligibility category (subsection 2(g)) effective January 1, 2026, requiring annual tax exemption applications with VA certification - except for every fifth year. This changes prior rules that limited exemptions to 100% disabled veterans or specific surviving spouse scenarios.
Nebraska's LB 102 updates the Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) program's "standard of need" calculation, which determines eligibility and benefit amounts. It sets a new monthly standard: $1,132.50 for a single person plus $393 for each additional household member, effective July 2026. The standard will automatically adjust every two years based on the Consumer Price Index to account for inflation. This change directly affects ADC recipients and their household benefit calculations under Nebraska law. The bill repeals the previous standard but does not alter the maximum benefit amount specified elsewhere.
LB 86 appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund for Fiscal Year 2025-26 to the Department of Natural Resources specifically for Program 334. This funding enables grants to natural resources districts that manage over 250 watershed structures, covering projects costing more than $30,000 per structure for operation, maintenance, or repair. The bill is classified as an emergency measure, taking effect upon approval.
LB 680 amends Nebraska's laws defining the role of educational service units (ESUs), which provide support to public school districts. The bill requires ESUs to prioritize core services like staff development (including support for students in poverty), technology/distance learning, and instructional materials for all member school districts. It establishes accountability standards for ESUs, including accreditation requirements to ensure equitable service delivery and cost-effectiveness. The changes affect all 14 Nebraska ESUs and the public school districts they serve, clarifying their mission to support school improvement efforts and state education goals.
This 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.
LB 207 creates a tiered registration fee for alternative fuel vehicles under Nebraska's Motor Vehicle Registration Act. It charges a base $150 fee for most alternative fuel vehicles (reduced to $75 for motorcycles and plug-in hybrids), but imposes a three-times higher fee ($450) for commercially registered vehicles over 7,500 lbs gross weight. The revenue from these fees is directed to the Highway Trust Fund. This bill directly affects commercial fleet operators using alternative fuel vehicles weighing more than 7,500 pounds, modifying their registration costs under existing law.
Nebraska's LB 299 allows eligible immigrants authorized for employment (under federal rules as of January 1, 2025) and their dependents to access public benefits tied to employment. The bill expands eligibility for benefits like retirement programs (including state employee and school employee plans), unemployment assistance, education financial aid, and health-related support. It requires verification of employment authorization using standard documents (such as work permits or resident cards) but does not change existing definitions of public benefits or limit current eligibility. Dependents of eligible immigrant workers gain access to benefits without regard to their own immigration status. The bill amends multiple Nebraska statutes to implement these changes, effective upon passage.
LB 224 requires Nebraska state employers to provide paid maternity leave to eligible employees who give birth and assume parental responsibility. Full-time state employees receive 12 weeks of paid leave, while part-time employees get proportional leave based on their regular hours. The bill prohibits retaliation against employees who take leave, mandates return to equivalent positions after leave, and ensures continued benefits during leave - while running concurrently with federal Family and Medical Leave Act protections. It also prohibits using this leave against other accrued leave types like vacation or sick time.
