Rep. Jana Hughes

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution congratulates the YMCA on its 175th anniversary of national service and 160th anniversary of its presence in Nebraska. The bill formally recognizes the organization's long history of providing childcare, sports, health programs, and community support through its staff and volunteers. As a commemorative measure, it does not alter laws or budgets but serves to acknowledge the YMCA's contributions to the state.

Maddy summaryLB 1089 amends enforcement rules for Nebraska's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, directly affecting employers who violate the law and employees seeking redress. It sets fines up to $500 for first violations and $5,000 for repeat offenses, requires employers to contest penalties within 15 days, and bars unpaid violators from state contracts until resolved. The bill also mandates public disclosure of issued citations (excluding those under active contest) and allows employees to use enforcement citations as evidence in lawsuits. These changes streamline penalties, increase transparency, and strengthen enforcement mechanisms without altering the underlying worker protections.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 1238 increases the cigarette tax to 64 cents per package (for up to 20 cigarettes) and changes how the revenue is distributed. The tax applies to wholesale cigarette distributors, and the collected funds will be allocated as follows: 50% to the General Fund, 2% to Outdoor Recreation, 10% to Health Services, 26% to Building Renewal, 5% to Public Safety Communications, 6% to Health Care, and 1% to Capital Construction. These funding allocations take effect July 1, 2026, with specific minimums tied to historical fiscal years. The bill also harmonizes tax provisions under the Tobacco Products Tax Act and repeals prior sections.

Maddy summaryLB 1038 changes how Nebraska school districts can raise funds through property taxes and modifies property tax credits. It eliminates certain property tax credits for homeowners and adjusts school district levy limits, allowing districts more flexibility in setting local tax rates. The bill redirects tax revenue streams, increasing funding for the Education Future Property Tax Credit Cash Fund (from 70% to 40% for cash device taxes) and modifying how General Fund transfers support schools. These changes directly affect school districts (by altering their tax-raising authority) and property taxpayers (through eliminated credits).

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $130,893 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $179,795 for 2026-27 from the General Fund to four Nebraska education entities (State Department of Education, Nebraska State Colleges, University of Nebraska, and community colleges via the Coordinating Commission) to support the existing Nebraska Statewide Workforce and Education Reporting System. It provides specific funding for these programs without creating new requirements or policies. The funds will be used to maintain and operate the reporting system that tracks workforce and education data across the state. This is a straightforward funding measure, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 106 amends window tinting rules for motor vehicles, directly affecting drivers and vehicle owners. It increases allowable tint darkness by raising the maximum luminous reflectance and minimum light transmission limits for front side windows from 20% to 35% (previously stricter). The bill also adjusts rear window standards (maintaining 20% minimum light transmission for most vehicles but adding exceptions for vans, buses, and multipurpose vehicles). It preserves existing restrictions on windshield tinting (below the AS-1 line must be clear, no red/yellow/amber above) and maintains federal safety glazing requirements for campers and motor homes. The changes make it easier to apply darker tint to front side windows while keeping safety standards for visibility.

Maddy summaryLB 142 amends Nebraska's Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act by redefining key terms used in calculating state education funding. It clarifies technical definitions like "Adjusted general fund operating expenditures" and "Adjusted valuation" that determine how school districts receive state aid. The bill does not change funding amounts or create new policies - it only updates terminology to ensure consistent application of existing funding formulas. This affects all Nebraska school districts that rely on state education funding calculations.

Maddy summaryLB 572 allows Nebraska school districts to exceed their annual budget limits for stipends paid to student teachers or interns completing teaching practicums. This change adds stipends to the list of allowable budget exceptions under the School District Property Tax Limitation Act, meaning districts can cover these costs without triggering tax limitation penalties. The bill directly affects school districts managing teacher training programs and student teachers in public or private Nebraska schools. It makes no changes to other budget restrictions or tax policies.

Maddy summaryLB 176 requires counties, cities, and villages to adopt a resolution supporting broadband projects before applicants can receive state grants under the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act. This resolution must include a project map, confirmation of permit applications, and a project timeline. The bill directly affects broadband providers, cooperatives, and tribal applicants seeking state funding for projects in specific areas. It adds this local government approval step to the existing grant application process, ensuring community buy-in before funding is awarded.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $12,600 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2025-26 to the Department of Revenue's Program 102. It specifically funds the implementation of Legislative Bill 712 (the parent bill) and prohibits using these funds for state employee salaries or per diems. The bill provides no new policy changes - it only allocates existing funds for administrative support of another bill's requirements. This is a procedural funding measure with no direct impact on residents or businesses.