Veterans (Veteran Benefits)

This legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Legislature's Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee to conduct an interim study on the quality and availability of assistance for state veterans and their families. The study will examine the ratio of veteran service officers to veterans, the services these officers provide, federal accreditation rules and penalties, eligibility determination processes, and the disability claims review system. The committee is authorized to consult with other legislative bodies and stakeholders during the study and must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislative Council or the full Legislature upon completion.

LB 767, titled "Adopt the Certified Help Options in Claims Expertise for Veterans Act," regulates assistance with veterans' benefits claims. It requires anyone helping veterans file or pursue claims (e.g., for disability compensation) to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, prohibits upfront fees or guaranteed outcomes, and mandates that any payment be contingent on a successful benefits increase (capped at five times the monthly increase). Service providers must use written agreements detailing terms, avoid charging interest, and disclose they are not affiliated with Veterans Affairs agencies. This directly affects veterans navigating claims and non-accredited representatives offering fee-based assistance.

This bill creates two permit options for Nebraska-resident veterans with military service-related disabilities. Veterans rated 50% or more disabled by the VA (or receiving total disability pension) get a free, lifelong combination hunting/fishing permit and required stamps. Veterans rated 10% or more disabled pay $90 for three years or $135 for five years for the same permit package. It applies only to veterans discharged honorably or under honorable conditions, with eligibility tied to VA disability ratings.

Nebraska's LB 272 expands homestead tax exemptions to include veterans with 10-99% service-connected disabilities (previously only 100% disability was covered) and their eligible surviving spouses. It directly affects disabled veterans receiving VA compensation for partial disabilities (not total exemption under other sections), as well as their unremarried spouses or surviving spouses who remarried after age 57. The bill adds a new eligibility category (subsection 2(g)) effective January 1, 2026, requiring annual tax exemption applications with VA certification - except for every fifth year. This changes prior rules that limited exemptions to 100% disabled veterans or specific surviving spouse scenarios.

Nebraska's LB 693 amends the state's deceptive trade practices law to prohibit receiving compensation for certain conduct related to veterans benefits assistance. Specifically, it makes it illegal for anyone to charge fees for helping veterans navigate benefits applications or referrals if that conduct misleads or deceives veterans. The bill defines terms and adds this prohibition to the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, directly affecting third-party assistance providers who charge fees for veterans benefits support. This change aims to prevent deceptive practices by requiring transparency in veterans benefits assistance services.