LB 427 would create state-funded savings accounts for Nebraska students in kindergarten through 12th grade attending approved public, private, denominational, or parochial schools. Starting July 1, 2026, each eligible student would receive $1,500 annually from a new "Student Savings Account Support Fund" to cover qualified expenses like tuition, textbooks, and educational therapies. Funds cannot be used for transportation, food, clothing, or basic supplies. Accounts follow students if they switch schools within Nebraska and terminate upon graduation or loss of eligibility.
LB 567 requires Nebraska's State Board of Education to create a model policy by December 1, 2025, to help schools strengthen connections with students, families, and communities. The model policy includes four key elements: integrated student supports (like coordinated health and academic services), extended learning opportunities (before/after school and during breaks), collaborative leadership (involving parents, teachers, and community members in decisions), and meaningful family engagement. School districts can adopt their own community engagement policies as long as they align with this state model. The bill directly affects all Nebraska public school districts and aims to improve school-community relationships through structured, evidence-based approaches.
LB 509, the Opportunity Scholarships Act, creates tax credits for Nebraska individuals and businesses that donate to nonprofit organizations providing scholarships. These scholarships help low-income families pay for private school tuition at qualifying non-profit schools (meeting accreditation and safety standards). Eligible students must have household income at or below 213% of the federal poverty level, with priority given to those previously receiving scholarships or in specific hardship situations. The bill allows donors to claim tax credits equal to their contributions, directing funds through certified scholarship-granting organizations to support enrollment at participating private schools.
LB 572 allows Nebraska school districts to exceed their annual budget limits for stipends paid to student teachers or interns completing teaching practicums. This change adds stipends to the list of allowable budget exceptions under the School District Property Tax Limitation Act, meaning districts can cover these costs without triggering tax limitation penalties. The bill directly affects school districts managing teacher training programs and student teachers in public or private Nebraska schools. It makes no changes to other budget restrictions or tax policies.
LB 528 creates a new grant program for STEM-focused learning platforms (for middle and high school science, technology, engineering, and math) managed by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, replacing the previous State Board of Education-administered program. It requires approved platforms to align with state academic standards, meet data security standards, and provide free access to all Nebraska school districts. The bill shifts grant administration from the State Board of Education to the Department of Economic Development, eliminates outdated provisions, and mandates annual reports on program effectiveness. This directly affects developers of qualifying STEM platforms and all Nebraska public school districts.
LB 88 allocates $500,000 annually from the state general fund for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The funds must be used exclusively for educational programming and technical expertise supporting downtown revitalization, business growth, and historic preservation projects in communities statewide. This is a funding bill directing existing state resources toward economic development initiatives, with no new policy changes or requirements for recipients.
Nebraska's LB 411 amends the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act to change how teachers qualify for retention grants. It establishes tiered annual grants: $2,500 for first through sixth years of teaching, $3,000 for seventh through fifteenth years, and $4,000 for 16+ years. Teachers with endorsements in special education, math, science, technology, or dual-credit may also qualify for a one-time $5,000 high-need retention grant if they sign a future teaching contract in those subjects. The bill eliminates school-based prioritization for grants, requiring automatic distribution to school districts that then pass funds directly to eligible teachers. These changes take effect July 1, 2025, with specific transition rules for existing applications.
LB 711 amends Nebraska's school funding rules to adjust how districts calculate "new schools school adjustments" for state aid. It requires districts seeking this adjustment (for new buildings expanding student capacity) to submit evidence of planned student growth and building use by October 15 annually. The bill sets limits: adjustments cannot drop below 100% or exceed 112% of the prior year's calculation for most districts, stabilizing funding changes. These changes directly affect Nebraska school districts applying for new building-related state aid under the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act.
LB 524 expands Nebraska's Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act to include paraeducators - school staff providing instructional support without teaching certification - by creating new retention grants. Paraeducators working 28+ hours weekly qualify for a $1,000 grant, while part-time staff receive proportional payments based on hours worked. The bill also amends the Education Future Fund to prioritize funding for teacher and paraeducator retention programs (Section 79-1021(e)), ensuring these grants are funded through state education resources. This directly affects Nebraska public school districts and paraeducators employed in classrooms statewide.
LB 599 requires Nebraska's State Board of Education to create a comprehensive cybersecurity policy for all public, private, denominational, and parochial schools and educational service units. The policy must include a step-by-step cybersecurity guide for schools, a statewide cybersecurity team to assist schools and address threats, expanded digital safety education for students and staff, a career pipeline to recruit rural students into tech fields, and funding mechanisms to help schools purchase cybersecurity tools. This bill directly affects all Nebraska schools by mandating specific security measures and resources to protect student data and infrastructure.
