This bill allocates $1.65 million in state funds to the Nebraska Department of Education to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 1050 over the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 fiscal years. The money comes from the General Fund and is restricted from being used for employee salaries or travel expenses. An emergency clause is included to allow the bill to take effect immediately upon approval. The legislation directly affects the state education department and any programs funded under LB 1050.
LB 966, the Hunger-Free Schools Act, requires Nebraska public and nonprofit private schools participating in federal meal programs to provide free breakfasts and lunches to students who qualify for reduced-price meals under federal rules. The State Department of Education will reimburse schools for the difference between federal funding rates for free meals versus reduced-price meals, based on the previous school year's data. This directly affects schools serving qualifying students, ensuring they receive funding support for meals provided at no cost to those students. The bill replaces previous reimbursement rules and repeals outdated sections of law related to school meal programs.
LB 937 amends Nebraska education laws to clarify processes for option school enrollment, reading support, and dyslexia services. It requires school districts to provide written reasons for rejecting enrollment applications - including specific details about unmet disability-related accommodations for students with IEPs or diagnosed disabilities - and mandates annual reports on rejected applications to the state education department. The bill also updates teacher apprenticeship and recruitment programs, modifies the College Pathway Program, and removes outdated sections about solar/wind grants and evaluation models. These changes aim to standardize reporting and streamline administrative processes for school districts and families.
This bill requires Nebraska correctional facilities to provide educational services to prisoners under 21 years old who have not earned a high school diploma or equivalent. The services must include a minimum curriculum of language arts, social science, science, and mathematics, and may also cover vocational training, computer education, or other subjects. The Director of Correctional Services must ensure these programs meet standards set by the State Department of Education, and the State Board of Education can establish rules to enforce these requirements. The bill repeals the previous law governing educational programming in correctional facilities.
LB 745 changes Nebraska's high school equivalency diploma requirements by removing a 30-day Nebraska residency requirement for applicants. It directly affects residents seeking a high school equivalency diploma who previously needed to prove 30 days of residency before applying. The bill keeps other key requirements intact, including passing approved tests, meeting educational standards equivalent to a high school graduate, being at least 18 years old, and being unable to obtain a diploma from their last school or having left more than a year ago. The amendment updates the state law to streamline access while maintaining academic standards for the diploma.
LB 1022 would eliminate the human relations training requirement for educators seeking teaching certificates, special services permits, or administrative credentials in Nebraska schools. Currently, applicants must complete training covering topics like recognizing biases, promoting inclusivity, and understanding diverse cultures. The bill amends state education laws (sections 79-807, 79-808, and others) to remove this requirement and the associated definition of "human relations training." This directly affects educators pursuing or renewing their certification under Nebraska's current system.
LB 31 requires Nebraska school districts to adopt policies governing the use of student monitoring and tracking technology (like digital hall passes, cameras, or anti-vaping devices) by May 2026. It mandates schools to inventory all such tools, disclose vendor details, costs, data practices, and privacy protections, and allow parents to opt their children out. The bill also requires schools to explain data sharing with law enforcement and ensure accommodations for students with disabilities. These policies must be posted online and align with a model policy developed by the State Board of Education by December 2025.
Nebraska's LB 714 changes how motor vehicle taxes are calculated and distributed. It adjusts tax rates based on a vehicle's age (e.g., 100% for new cars, down to 0% for 14+ year vehicles) and value (e.g., $25 for cars under $4,000, up to $1,700 for $90,000+ vehicles). The bill modifies fund allocation, directing 37.6% of tax proceeds to local schools, 22.2% to cities/villages in metro counties, and the remainder to counties. This affects all Nebraska vehicle owners who pay registration taxes, with changes impacting how local governments receive funding for schools, roads, and services.
LB 417 establishes the Nebraska Promise Program, providing tuition waivers for eligible Nebraska residents attending University of Nebraska campuses or Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. It covers up to 15 credit hours per semester after federal grants and scholarships are applied, targeting students with family incomes under $65,000 annually and requiring a 2.5 GPA. The bill also extends similar tuition waivers to community colleges (up to 2 years) and state colleges (up to 4 years) for qualifying low-income students. Funding for these waivers comes from a new College Promise Fund, with reimbursements distributed monthly from the General Fund to institutions after annual certification. The program requires institutions to verify eligibility and maintain a standardized appeals process through the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education.
This bill (LB 538A) allocates $138,227 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $137,431 for 2026-27 from Nebraska’s General Fund to the State Department of Education’s Program 25. It provides funding specifically to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 538 (the parent bill), which is not described in this text. The bill sets limits on salary and per diem expenses ($66,197 for 2025-26 and $68,348 for 2026-27). As a funding measure, it does not create new policy but enables the execution of another bill’s provisions.
