LB 754 amends Nebraska law to update requirements for permits related to explosives and display fireworks. It adds new restrictions for explosives permits, prohibiting applicants with certain domestic violence misdemeanor convictions, active felony charges, or who are illegal immigrants. The bill also requires fingerprinting and background checks for individuals seeking to use explosives, and updates the application process for display fireworks permits handled by the State Fire Marshal. These changes directly affect businesses and individuals applying for explosives storage, use, or purchase permits, as well as those seeking professional fireworks display permits.
LB 886 amends Nebraska's driver's license laws to prohibit the issuance of licenses or permits to noncitizens without lawful U.S. immigration status. It also removes a previous exemption that allowed such individuals to operate vehicles without a license for up to 30 days. Consequently, people in Nebraska without legal immigration status must now comply with standard licensing requirements to drive, but they are barred from obtaining a license under the new rules. The bill repeals the original sections 60-474 and 60-488 of Nebraska's Revised Statutes.
LB 879, the "Guest Worker Permit Act," requires undocumented individuals working in Nebraska to obtain a state-issued permit before starting work under a contract or within 30 days of signing one. It directly affects undocumented workers who live or work in Nebraska but are not compliant with federal immigration law. Key provisions include creating a permit system administered by the Department of Labor, requiring employers to provide contact information for workers, and barring individuals with certain serious criminal convictions (like violent felonies or sex offenses) from obtaining permits. The law would take effect by July 1, 2028, pending federal approval of necessary waivers.
Nebraska's LB 884 amends election laws to require the Secretary of State to verify voter citizenship using federal data (like the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program), with cooperation from the Attorney General and DMV, directly affecting voter registration. It bans political party markings on ballot envelopes, mandates white ballots for most elections (with limited exceptions), and requires direct transport of sealed ballot boxes to central counting locations. The bill also updates poll watcher rules, requiring unobstructed viewing of ballot counting via video and restricting observers to non-partisan, non-candidate affiliated individuals. These changes apply to all voters and election officials statewide during general and local elections.
LB 295 requires all Nebraska state and local government employees participating in retirement systems (including county, school, state, and judicial employees) to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the United States. It mandates that employers and employees maintain specific documents like driver's licenses, birth certificates, passports, or U.S. immigration cards (e.g., I-551) to verify eligibility, which must be presented upon request by the retirement board. The bill also updates technical provisions across retirement acts, such as mortality tables for benefit calculations, lump sum payment rules, and board meeting procedures. These changes apply to multiple retirement systems, including the State Employees Retirement Act and School Employees Retirement Act.
Nebraska's LB 532 requires private employers with 25+ employees to use E-Verify to confirm new hires' work authorization within federal timeframes. It prohibits knowingly hiring unauthorized immigrants and imposes penalties, including license probation (1 year) or suspension (10-30 days for first violations) for noncompliance, with longer suspensions for repeat offenses. The bill excludes government agencies, political subdivisions, and bona fide independent contractors from these requirements. Violations trigger license discipline by the issuing agency, with reinstatement requiring termination of unauthorized workers and payment of fees.
