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.
LB 729, the Biometric Autonomy Liberty Law, prohibits private entities (like businesses or corporations) from requiring or forcing individuals to use biometric data collection devices (such as fingerprint scanners, voice recognition, or facial recognition systems) except for specific security purposes. The law defines biometric data broadly to include fingerprints, voice prints, and eye scans, but explicitly excludes health data under HIPAA, DMV fraud detection systems, and financial data regulated by federal law. Private companies cannot mandate biometric data collection for non-security reasons, though they may use it for security purposes like preventing crime or protecting property. The law does not apply to government agencies in their official security functions or to existing health, education, or financial data protections.
This Nebraska bill (LB 559) makes it illegal to install unauthorized skimmer devices on ATMs, point-of-sale terminals, or fuel pumps to steal card information or PINs. It specifically prohibits devices that capture, record, or transmit data from financial transaction devices, with penalties for offenders. The law also strengthens provisions against organized financial crime networks involving such theft. It directly affects criminals using skimmers and protects consumers, businesses, and financial institutions from fraud.
LB 288 creates a new financing mechanism allowing Nebraska municipalities to establish "clean energy assessment districts" that let property owners fund energy efficiency, grid resilience, and renewable energy projects through annual property assessments. It directly affects residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial property owners who choose to participate in these districts, covering costs for projects like solar panels, insulation, smart grid technology, and backup power systems. The bill requires municipalities to define eligible projects and sets repayment terms tied to the project's useful life, with property owners paying back through their property tax bills over time. This replaces previous financing rules under Nebraska's Property Assessed Clean Energy Act and related housing laws.
Nebraska's LB 371 expands legal protection for individuals whose intimate images are created or altered using AI or digital manipulation without consent. The bill amends Nebraska's Uniform Civil Remedies Act to explicitly include computer-generated or digitally manipulated images under the definition of "intimate image" and "private" images. It creates a legal cause of action for people harmed by the intentional disclosure of such images when they were created without consent and the individual was identifiable. This directly affects anyone whose intimate images are generated or altered via AI without permission, providing them a legal path to seek remedies for unauthorized sharing. The law applies to both existing intimate images and new AI-generated content.
LB 504 would require large online platforms operating in Nebraska to avoid design features that encourage excessive use by minors under 18. It targets companies with over $25 million in annual revenue that handle data of 50,000+ users or derive 50% of revenue from data sales, prohibiting features like infinite scrolling, push notifications, in-game purchases, and appearance-altering filters when platforms know a user is a minor. The law also bans manipulative "dark pattern" interfaces that subvert user choice, as defined by the Federal Trade Commission. Platforms with fewer than 2% minor users are exempt from these requirements.
LB 80A is a funding bill that allocates $20,000 from the Supreme Court Automation Cash Fund for the 2025-26 fiscal year to support the Supreme Court's Program 570. This funding specifically helps implement provisions from Legislative Bill 80, which relates to court automation. The bill prohibits using these funds for salaries or per diems for state employees. It directly affects the Supreme Court's operations by providing targeted financial support for its automation program. The bill was approved by the governor on May 20, 2025.
LB 385 amends Nebraska's Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act to modernize protections against false business claims. It directly affects businesses selling goods or services in Nebraska by adding specific prohibitions, including: requiring clear notice for file-sharing programs (§ 87-302(19)), banning misleading substance representations (§ 87-302(22)), restricting harmful material involving minors (§ 87-302(23)), and mandating accurate privacy policies (§ 87-302(15)). These provisions clarify when business practices constitute deception under state law. The bill was signed into law on May 21, 2025.
LB 120 modifies Nebraska's Motor Vehicle Operator's License Act to clarify when digital images and signatures captured during license applications may be released. It permits release only to law enforcement agencies (for official duties), the Secretary of State (for voter ID verification), or the Nebraska State Patrol (for missing persons cases), always requiring identity and purpose verification. Strict security protocols must be followed for storage and protection of these images, with violations punishable as a Class I misdemeanor. The bill directly affects license applicants, law enforcement, election officials, and the Nebraska State Patrol by defining authorized access to biometric data.
LB 140 requires Nebraska public school districts to adopt policies governing student use of electronic devices (like phones and tablets) on school property or during school activities. The policy must generally prohibit device use, except for specific exceptions: students' individualized education plans (IEPs), approved educational activities, emergencies, health monitoring, or school authorization. School boards must develop these policies with input from students, parents, and educators. The law takes effect before the 2025-26 school year and applies directly to all public school districts in Nebraska.
