Education

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1086: Change eligibility requirements for community college gap assistance

Nebraska's LB 1086 changes eligibility requirements for community college gap assistance, directly affecting students seeking financial support to cover costs not covered by other funding. The bill replaces existing rules with a new standard requiring applicants to demonstrate capacity to: complete an eligible program, earn a credential, secure full-time employment, and maintain that employment. It also explicitly excludes Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training benefits from eligibility calculations. This policy change aims to ensure gap assistance fills true financial gaps after other public or private funding sources are exhausted.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts community college aid eligibility by requiring employment outcomes and excluding SNAP-ET benefits, limiting access to educational support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 833: Change provisions relating to instructional priorities and degree programs at state colleges

Nebraska Legislative Bill LB 833 changes how state colleges prioritize degree programs. It establishes a four-tier priority system: first for education bachelor's degrees, second for graduate programs in education and other fields, third for applied research, and fourth for specialist degrees. The bill specifically requires Chadron State College (western Nebraska), Peru State College (southeast Nebraska), and Wayne State College (northeast Nebraska) to limit new undergraduate programs based on their regional needs. It also allows these colleges to independently offer certain master's and doctoral programs after demonstrating capacity and securing approval from the Board of Trustees and the state education commission.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill explicitly requires specific colleges to limit new undergraduate programs, restricting program expansion per the 'oppose' indicators of limiting school programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 924: Change powers of learning community councils and authorized uses of learning community levies

Nebraska's LB 924 changes how learning communities (groups of school districts collaborating on shared programs) can use property tax levies. It reduces the maximum allowable levy from 95 cents to just half a cent per $100 of taxable property valuation for specific purposes. The new levy funds elementary learning center facility leases, remodeling, and up to 50% of approved capital projects for focus schools or programs. This directly affects learning communities and their member school districts by restricting and redirecting their funding authority. The bill repeals the previous 95-cent levy provision and aligns with updated funding mechanisms under Section 79-2111.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesReduces max property tax levy rate for learning communities from 95¢ to 0.5¢ per $100 valuation, restricting tax authority for specific educational uses.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationReduces maximum levy cap from 95¢ to 50¢ per $100 valuation, restricting funding flexibility for school facility projects and capital improvements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 765: Change provisions relating to elections for school district bonds and bonds issued by a joint entity that includes a Nebraska school district or educational service unit

Nebraska's LB 765 changes rules for school district bond elections. It requires at least 51.1% voter turnout (up from 50%) for bond approval and clarifies that bond votes can be held during statewide primary or general elections if filed by March 1 (primary) or September 1 (general). The bill also prohibits using public funds (like building or discretionary funds) to support bond campaigns and bans school employees from using paid work time for campaign advocacy. These changes directly affect Nebraska school districts and joint entities (like educational service units) when seeking voter approval for bond issues.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill raises bond approval threshold from 50% to 51.1%, making it harder to secure school infrastructure funding. This restricts a key funding mechanism for K-12 schools.85% confidence

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1219: Limit the amount of property taxes that may be levied by a political subdivision

Nebraska's LB 1219 limits annual property tax increases for local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) starting in 2027. It replaces previous tax growth rules by capping yearly increases at 2% plus the area's real property value growth rate. The "real growth percentage" is calculated based on new construction, annexations, or other value changes to properties, ensuring tax hikes align with actual property value growth. This bill directly affects all local taxing entities by restricting how much they can raise property taxes each year.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill directly limits annual property tax increases for local governments, capping growth at 2% plus real property value growth. Restricts tax collection methods per bill language.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill caps property tax increases for school districts, limiting their revenue growth and restricting education funding. This aligns with 'oppose' indicators (limits school programs/funding).85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

Track

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1022: Eliminate the human relations training requirement for obtaining a Nebraska substitute teacher's certificate

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.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRemoves mandatory human relations training on bias/inclusivity, weakening DEI requirements for educators per bill's explicit elimination of the requirement.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1262: Adopt the Foreign Adversaries Out of Postsecondary Education Act

Nebraska's LB 1262 prohibits all public and private postsecondary institutions in the state from accepting any funding, gifts, research sponsorships, or partnerships from designated "foreign adversaries," including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Qatar, and entities like the Muslim Brotherhood. The bill defines prohibited entities and requires institutions to return any funds received in violation. It also mandates written certification for cultural exchanges to ensure they do not restrict free speech, control curriculum, or threaten state safety. This directly affects all Nebraska colleges and universities, their research centers, and affiliated organizations. The law aligns with similar measures recently enacted in Florida and Texas.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts higher education institutions from accepting foreign adversary funding, limiting partnerships and research collaborations, directly restricting institutional funding options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

Track

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1196: Prohibit the use of state or local funds for low-earning outcome postsecondary education programs

Nebraska's LB 1196 prohibits using any state or local funds - such as student aid, school operating money, grants, or facility funding - for postsecondary education programs identified as "low-earning outcome" under federal law (20 U.S.C. 1087d). The bill directly affects public colleges and universities receiving state funding by blocking support for programs that don’t lead to strong earnings. The Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education must annually review federal program rankings, enforce the funding ban, and report on its impact and costs to the Legislature. This law aims to redirect public education resources toward programs with better economic outcomes for students.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds programs failing federal earnings criteria, restricting state budget allocation for postsecondary education programs.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationDefunds specific postsecondary programs deemed low-earning, restricting state funding allocation for higher education as per federal criteria.95% confidence

Track

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 451: Change provisions relating to the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund and the Capitol Restoration Cash Fund

LB 451 changes how Nebraska allocates excess funds from the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund annually. For 2025 through 2034, the first $1 million of any excess balance each year must be transferred to the Capitol Restoration Cash Fund, with remaining funds going to the Permanent School Fund; before 2025 and after 2034, all excess funds over $1 million go directly to the Permanent School Fund. The bill also creates an Unclaimed Property Cash Fund to cover related administrative costs and harmonizes existing fund transfer rules. These changes affect state fund management but do not alter how unclaimed property claims are processed or handled by the public.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill redirects $1M annual excess funds from Permanent School Fund to Capitol Restoration (2025-2034), reducing education funding compared to prior years.95% confidence

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Mar 13, 2025

LB 605: Require each school board to adopt a policy relating to transgender student participation in extracurricular activities sponsored by a school or an athletics or activities association

LB 605 requires Nebraska school boards to create policies governing transgender student participation in school-sponsored extracurricular activities and athletic associations. The bill mandates that transgender students (defined as having a gender identity differing from their sex assigned at birth) submit written requests with parental involvement, provide medical documentation (including hormone therapy records for female-identifying students), and undergo school board review to confirm eligibility. Key provisions require documentation proving consistent gender identity, medical verification of hormone therapy or surgery for athletic participation, and proof that transgender female students do not possess physical advantages over biological females. The bill was introduced in January 2025, referred to the Education Committee, and withdrawn on March 11, 2025, before moving further.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates medical documentation and parental consent for transgender student participation in activities, restricting access to extracurriculars per bill's requirements.95% confidence

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