Rep. Jared Storm

Maddy summaryLB 908 requires Nebraska family courts to consider specific research when determining the best interests of a child in custody cases under the Parenting Act. The bill amends state law to mandate that courts evaluate "credible research showing increased intellectual and social growth in children who have equal access to both parents" as part of their decision-making. This directly affects judges, attorneys, and families involved in custody disputes across Nebraska. The provision adds this research consideration to existing factors courts already weigh, such as parental conflict and child safety, without changing other legal standards.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 938 creates a state tax-advantaged savings program to help first-time homebuyers. It allows individuals to contribute up to $5,000 annually (or $10,000 for joint filers) to designated savings accounts, reducing their state taxable income. Contributions can be used for eligible home purchase costs like down payments, closing fees, or construction financing for a primary residence in Nebraska. The program limits lifetime contributions to $25,000 per individual ($50,000 for joint filers) and requires account holders to designate a qualified beneficiary (the homebuyer) by April 15 each year. This directly affects first-time homebuyers who meet the definition: individuals without prior primary residence ownership or those divorced and not on title for 3+ years.

Maddy summaryLB 893 changes Nebraska's substitute teacher certification requirements by replacing the existing human relations training mandate with a new interpersonal relations training course. Substitute teachers seeking certification would complete an online course and test developed by the State Department of Education instead of the current human relations training. The bill requires the Department to create this course and test, covering similar content to the previous requirement, and allows the Department to charge a fee covering service costs. This directly affects substitute teachers applying for certification in Nebraska who would now have this alternative pathway.

Maddy summaryLB 1068 amends Nebraska's Election Act to update requirements for petition circulators and sponsors. The bill mandates that all petitions include a warning about criminal penalties for fraud (like false signatures or accepting payment for signatures) above the signature lines, a circulator's affidavit verifying each signature and the circulator's qualifications (including no felony convictions for fraud), and a clear red statement indicating if the circulator is paid or volunteer. It also requires petition signers to be registered voters at the time of signing (with exceptions for certain petitions like presidential candidates) and circulators to be at least 18, U.S. citizens, and free of relevant felony convictions. These changes aim to prevent fraud by adding verification steps and transparency to the petition process.

Maddy summaryLB 1187 adjusts fees for physical and electronic inspections under Nebraska's Livestock Brand Act, directly affecting livestock owners, inspectors, and entities like banks or dairies that request inspections. It sets a physical inspection fee of $0.85 per head until June 30, 2023, then increases to a maximum of $1.10 per head starting July 1, 2023. Similarly, electronic inspections will cost $0.85 per head until June 30, 2023, then up to $1.10 per head. The bill eliminates a separate mileage charge and replaces it with a $30 surcharge to cover inspector travel costs, while removing outdated provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits private owners from shutting down, retiring, closing, or altering operations of certain privately developed renewable energy facilities, specifically those using solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, landfill gas, or biogas. It directly affects private electric suppliers who operate these facilities, such as standalone solar or wind power plants not owned by public entities like municipalities or cooperatives. The law requires these facilities to maintain operations without authorization changes, amending existing energy regulations to enforce this prohibition. It does not apply to facilities owned by public power districts or government entities.

Maddy summaryLB 1027 eliminates specific exemptions that previously allowed privately developed renewable energy facilities to avoid certain construction approvals under Nebraska law. The bill removes exemptions for facilities replacing older plants (under 25,000 kW), those within municipal service areas, and military-proximity rules. As a result, private renewable energy developers will now need standard board approval for new facilities, aligning their requirements with other electric generation projects. This change applies directly to companies building solar, wind, or other privately owned renewable energy facilities in Nebraska.

Maddy summaryLB 604 changes Nebraska's process for handling initiative and referendum petitions. Sponsors must now submit the full measure text and sponsor details to the Secretary of State before collecting signatures, with a state reviewer checking the text for clarity within 10 days. The Secretary must post the measure online during circulation, and legal challenges to petitions must be filed within 60 days of that posting. Courts must handle these cases quickly, with appeals going directly to the Court of Appeals.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 483 limits medical cannabis to pills or liquid tinctures only, restricting what forms qualified patients can legally use. It redefines "permissible cannabis product" to exclude edibles, smokable forms, and other preparations, while capping possession at 300mg THC or 5 ounces. The bill also removes medical cannabis from the marijuana tax and repeals outdated provisions about other cannabis forms. This directly affects patients with medical cannabis recommendations and their caregivers under Nebraska's medical cannabis program.

Maddy summaryLB 73 changes continuing education requirements for Nebraska law enforcement officers. It increases annual hours from 20-28 to 32 for officers in counties with over 40,000 residents (as per census data), while maintaining 20 hours for officers in smaller counties. The bill mandates specific training including de-escalation, mental health, anti-bias education, firearms, and legal updates. The changes take effect January 1, 2026, and apply to all certified officers except those newly certified or retiring in the same year.