Environment

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 794: Change and eliminate provisions relating to the Healthy Soils Task Force, require the Department of Agriculture to submit related documentation, and provide powers to natural resources districts regarding soil and water practices

Nebraska Legislative Bill 794 reorganizes the Nebraska Department of Agriculture's responsibilities by amending key statutes. It eliminates the Healthy Soils Task Force and outdated funding mechanisms related to the Fertilizers and Soil Conditioners Administrative Fund, while clarifying the Department's existing duties. The bill specifically repeals outdated sections (2-401 through 2-404) and streamlines provisions in Sections 2-406 and 81-201 of Nebraska law. These changes directly affect the Department of Agriculture, removing specific advisory structures and administrative requirements without creating new programs or funding. The bill focuses on administrative efficiency rather than new policy initiatives.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentEliminates Healthy Soils Task Force and repeals soil conservation funding mechanisms, weakening dedicated environmental protection efforts.85% confidence

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1134: Change and provide limitations on updates to state and local building codes, electrical codes, and energy codes

LB 1134 establishes Nebraska's baseline building, electrical, and energy codes by adopting specific editions of international codes (like the 2018 International Building Code) as the state standard. It limits local governments from creating stricter codes than the state version, prohibiting updates to local codes that exceed the state code's requirements until 2031. The bill requires local governments to provide independent third-party evidence verifying that any code change is necessary for public safety or compliance with state/federal law, rather than for cost reduction. This directly affects counties, cities, and villages that enforce building codes, as well as construction businesses and property owners subject to these regulations.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyProhibits local governments from adopting stricter energy efficiency codes beyond 2031, limiting advancement of energy standards.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPrevents local governments from adopting stricter energy efficiency codes, limiting environmental protections until 2031 by prohibiting updates exceeding state standards.85% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill prohibits local governments from updating codes stricter than state baseline until 2031, limiting potential for housing affordability measures like energy-efficient standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 815: Provide for a tax on diesel fuels, change provisions relating to refunds for motor fuel taxes, the petroleum release remedial action fee, and the Motor Fuel Tax Enforcement and Collection Cash Fund, change and eliminate provisions of the Ethanol Development Act, and eliminate the Ethanol Production Incentive Cash Fund

LB 815 imposes a 9.5-cent-per-gallon tax on diesel fuels, effective January 1, 2019, which must be paid by fuel producers, suppliers, and distributors. It changes the rules for refunding motor fuel taxes and eliminates the Ethanol Production Incentive Cash Fund, which previously provided financial support to ethanol producers. The bill also modifies or removes several provisions from the Ethanol Development Act that governed ethanol-related tax programs. Additionally, it repeals multiple sections of existing law related to fuel taxes and ethanol incentives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 9.5¢/gal diesel tax generating revenue; eliminates ethanol incentive fund. Directly advances tax collection policy under budget/tax framework.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyEliminates Ethanol Production Incentive Cash Fund, removing financial support for renewable energy producers and weakening ethanol industry incentives.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentEliminates Ethanol Production Incentive Cash Fund, removing financial support for renewable fuel programs that promote cleaner energy alternatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 2, 2025

LB 346: Provide for termination of boards, commissions, committees, councils, funds, groups, panels, and task forces and change and eliminate funds and powers and duties of departments and agencies

This bill eliminates numerous state advisory groups, boards, and commissions - including the Climate Assessment Response Committee, Women's Health Initiative Advisory Council, and Palliative Care Act - and removes their funding. It also modifies department responsibilities, such as adjusting the Board of Mental Health Practice and the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill specifically terminates the Whiteclay Public Health Emergency Task Force and streamlines overlapping government structures by repealing obsolete provisions. These changes aim to simplify state agency operations by removing redundant entities and consolidating functions.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds multiple state advisory groups and eliminates their funding, directly reducing government spending per bill's summary.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentTerminates Climate Assessment Response Committee and removes its funding, directly weakening climate oversight and environmental protections85% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareTerminates Women's Health Initiative Advisory Council and Palliative Care Act funding, defunding healthcare-specific advisory bodies per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 129: Prohibit restrictions on the provision of certain energy services

Nebraska's LB 129 prohibits local governments (counties, cities, villages) from restricting the use of specific energy sources like natural gas, propane, renewable diesel, hydrogen, or electricity for electric vehicles. It directly affects energy providers - including natural gas utilities, propane retailers, and other energy marketers - by preventing local ordinances from blocking their services to authorized customers. The bill defines "energy source" broadly to include alternatives like renewable fuels and hydrogen, while exempting city-owned natural gas utilities and existing propane regulations. This law ensures local governments cannot interfere with how these providers deliver energy services, focusing on removing barriers to diverse energy options.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPrevents local bans on renewable diesel, hydrogen, and EV electricity, enabling broader energy service access without restrictions.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prohibits local restrictions on fossil fuel energy sources (natural gas) while including renewables, weakening local environmental regulations that could limit polluting energy use.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 638: Change provisions of the Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act

LB 638 amends Nebraska's Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act by eliminating all provisions for incentive payments to farmers and removing the legislative intent behind the program. It modifies the Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Cash Fund to adjust grant administration and changes the program's termination date from December 31, 2030, to December 31, 2029. The bill repeals the original sections governing annual payment caps ($5 million/year), minimum per-acre payments ($10/acre), and fertilizer reduction targets. This effectively dismantles the financial structure of the program while keeping the framework for future administration open.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill eliminates all incentive payments for nitrogen reduction, removes legislative intent, and repeals conservation funding provisions, directly weakening environmental protection efforts.95% confidence

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 531: Provide an exception to the requirement that buildings constructed with state funds comply with the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code

LB 531 exempts certain affordable housing projects from requiring compliance with the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code. Specifically, it prohibits the Department of Economic Development from mandating that new construction or rental conversion projects receiving funding from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund meet the energy efficiency standards in the code. The bill amends existing law to clarify this exception while maintaining the code's requirement for all other state-funded buildings. It does not change energy standards for non-affordable housing projects or other state construction.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill exempts affordable housing from 2018 energy conservation code compliance, weakening mandatory efficiency standards for state-funded projects.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts affordable housing from energy efficiency standards, weakening conservation requirements in state-funded construction projects.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts affordable housing projects from energy code compliance, reducing development costs to support affordability under the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation Affordable Housing Building Codes Housing Finance

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 471: Prohibit certain restrictions by state agencies, state entities, counties, cities, and villages relating to the energy source of motor vehicles and prohibit certain actions of the Department of Environment and Energy related to vehicle emission standards

LB 471 prohibits state agencies, counties, cities, and villages from restricting the use, purchase, or sale of motor vehicles based on their energy source (e.g., electric, gasoline, or hybrid power). It also prevents the Department of Environment and Energy from seeking federal waivers to set stricter vehicle emission standards than those required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The bill directly affects vehicle buyers, dealers, and local governments by ensuring they cannot impose rules targeting specific vehicle energy types. Key provisions eliminate barriers to all vehicle types and maintain alignment with federal emission standards.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyProhibits stricter emission standards than EPA, weakening state-level clean energy regulations and blocking local renewable vehicle policies.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill blocks state from setting stricter vehicle emission standards than federal EPA, weakening environmental protections by preventing more stringent pollution controls.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill blocks stricter vehicle emission standards and prevents local restrictions on energy sources, weakening regulatory oversight in transportation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles

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