Rep. Jason Prokop

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Education Committee to conduct an interim study on youth sports participation across the state. The study will examine current rules and policies related to fair play, eligibility standards, and competition guidelines, while also assessing how accessible organized sports are for children in Nebraska. It will analyze the availability and condition of sports facilities and community organizations that support youth engagement, identify barriers to participation, and develop recommendations for improving access and infrastructure. The committee will submit its findings and suggestions to the Legislative Council or Legislature upon completion.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 865 exempts sales tax on qualifying child care supplies, clothing, and school supplies during a specific two-day window (the last Friday of July through Sunday of the same weekend). The exemption applies to items priced at $100 or less per item, including baby monitors, diapers, backpacks, notebooks, and basic school materials, but excludes electronics, clothing accessories, and business purchases. Retailers must report these tax-free sales to the Tax Commissioner on their regular returns. This policy directly benefits parents and guardians purchasing essential items for children during that annual sales tax holiday.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 848 creates a temporary sales tax exemption for specific items during a three-day window each August (beginning 12:01 a.m. Friday to midnight Sunday). It exempts clothing under $100, school supplies under $50 per purchase, computer software under $350, graphing calculators under $150, and personal computers/peripherals under $1,500. The exemption applies only to items purchased for personal use during this period, excluding items like jewelry, sporting equipment, or furniture. This policy directly affects Nebraska residents buying these items for personal or educational use during the designated annual sales tax holiday.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 863 requires the Department of Correctional Services to build solid walls around specific correctional facilities located within 100 yards of residential properties. The bill applies to facilities classified as Maximum A, Maximum B, or Medium (as of January 1, 2026) or similar new facilities. These barriers must reduce noise and visual disturbance, improve neighborhood safety and privacy, and prevent unauthorized contact between inmates, visitors, and residents. The requirement covers both existing facilities and any new facilities built after the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for violating domestic abuse and sexual assault protection orders in Nebraska. For first-time violations, it sets a Class I misdemeanor penalty; repeat violations escalate to higher felony classifications (Class IV for second offenses, Class IIIA for third, and Class IIA for fourth or more). The law directly affects individuals who breach court-issued protection orders, excluding the original petitioner. It replaces previous penalty levels with this tiered structure under the Protection Orders Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LB 864) transfers administrative responsibility for Nebraska's student internship programs from the Department of Economic Development to the Department of Labor. It directly affects Nebraska students seeking internships and businesses offering paid internships, as the Department of Labor will now manage program operations. The key mechanism is amending statutes to update which agency oversees internship administration, including revisions to definitions and program requirements in sections 81-1210.01-03. The bill does not change the program's purpose - supporting student work experience and workforce development - but shifts operational management to the Department of Labor.

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 summaryThis bill requires the State Treasurer to transfer $300,000 annually from Nebraska's Health Care Cash Fund to the Patient Safety Cash Fund, beginning July 15 each fiscal year. It modifies existing law to add this specific annual transfer as a new provision (subsection 5), replacing the previous transfer requirements. The funds will support patient safety initiatives administered through the Patient Safety Cash Fund. This is a procedural budget adjustment with no new programs or eligibility changes.

Maddy summaryLB 968 appropriates $4 million from Nebraska's General Fund to the Military Department for emergency rescue equipment grants. Political subdivisions (like cities or counties) must prove they can assist in statewide rescue events to qualify for these grants. The funds must be used exclusively to purchase specific equipment, including water rescue gear, wide-area search tools for tornado/floods, structural collapse equipment, and hazardous materials response tools. This bill directly affects local emergency response entities eligible for these equipment grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Nebraska's Reading Improvement Act to clarify funding for evidence-based reading instruction. It specifies that $2 million annually from the Education Future Fund will be allocated for regional coaches and teacher training (for kindergarten through third grade) during fiscal year 2026-27, replacing prior language covering 2024-25 through 2029-30. The funding supports professional development for teachers in approved schools and early childhood programs. It directly affects schools, teachers, and the State Department of Education by mandating specific annual funding for literacy training programs. The change updates the appropriation timeline but does not alter the program's core requirements.