Rep. Kathleen Kauth

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Business and Labor Committee to conduct an interim study examining regulations for professional employer organizations. The study will review requirements under the Professional Employer Organization Registration Act and the Occupational Board Reform Act. Committee members will investigate current rules and submit findings with recommendations to the Legislative Council or Legislature. This action does not change existing laws but initiates a review process to assess regulatory frameworks.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates funding allocations for Nebraska state agencies for the 2026 fiscal year, specifically adjusting appropriations for the Department of Labor and the Department of Economic Development. It increases budget amounts for workforce development programs, employment services, and business incentive initiatives while maintaining designated funding sources for each purpose. The legislation amends previous appropriation laws to reflect these financial changes and includes provisions for reappropriating any unspent funds from the prior fiscal year.

Maddy summaryLB 1040 amends Nebraska's Mental Health Commitment Act to allow family members, close friends, or guardians (defined as "interested parties") to file petitions seeking civil commitment for individuals they believe are mentally ill and dangerous. The bill updates the definition of "mentally ill and dangerous" to explicitly include risks of harm to self (e.g., recent suicide threats), harm to others (e.g., violent acts), or property damage, requiring petitions to detail specific behaviors. It adds a penalty for filing petitions in bad faith and clarifies procedures for mental health boards and county attorneys handling these cases. This change expands who can initiate commitment proceedings while setting clearer standards for when civil commitment is warranted.

Maddy summaryLB 834 updates Nebraska's property tax laws by revising the roles and requirements for county assessors and the Property Tax Administrator. It allows county assessors to appoint deputies (with written documentation) and mandates certification exams for assessors, while adjusting deadlines for property assessments and tax reporting. The bill also modifies rules for delinquent taxes, sales tax remissions, and mobile home tax applications, eliminating an application fee for mobile homes. These changes directly affect county tax officials and taxpayers who pay property taxes or mobile home taxes.

Maddy summaryLB 727 authorizes Nebraska law enforcement agencies to obtain and maintain EpiPens (epinephrine autoinjectors) for officers to use during emergencies involving severe allergic reactions. It requires officers to complete approved training programs - approved by the Department of Health and Human Services - before administering an EpiPen while on duty. The bill specifies that agencies are not required to provide EpiPens, and officers are not required to carry or use them. Participation is voluntary for both agencies and officers, with training certification needed for any use.

Maddy summaryLB 847 adopts Nebraska's Registered Apprenticeship Act, creating a state framework for structured training programs that require at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning plus related instruction. It establishes definitions for apprentices, sponsors, and programs, mandating written agreements between apprentices and employers and requiring registration with the Nebraska Office of Registered Apprenticeship. The bill also modifies tax rate provisions under the Employment Security Law, though specific changes aren't detailed in the text. This directly affects apprentices, employers offering training, and the Nebraska Department of Labor, standardizing oversight of apprenticeships statewide.

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 proxy advisors (firms that provide voting recommendations to shareholders) to disclose if they made a recommendation against company management without using a written financial analysis. Specifically, if an advisor recommends voting against company proposals (like board elections or executive pay) without analyzing the financial impact, they must clearly state this to both shareholders and the company's board. The disclosure must explain that the recommendation wasn't based on a document analyzing short/long-term financial benefits, shareholder value conclusions, or methodology. This applies to all proxy advisory services provided to Nebraska-based companies or shareholders.

Maddy summaryNebraska Legislative Bill LB 833 changes how state colleges prioritize degree programs. It establishes a four-tier priority system: first for education bachelor's degrees, second for graduate programs in education and other fields, third for applied research, and fourth for specialist degrees. The bill specifically requires Chadron State College (western Nebraska), Peru State College (southeast Nebraska), and Wayne State College (northeast Nebraska) to limit new undergraduate programs based on their regional needs. It also allows these colleges to independently offer certain master's and doctoral programs after demonstrating capacity and securing approval from the Board of Trustees and the state education commission.

Maddy summaryLB 1134 establishes Nebraska's baseline building, electrical, and energy codes by adopting specific editions of international codes (like the 2018 International Building Code) as the state standard. It limits local governments from creating stricter codes than the state version, prohibiting updates to local codes that exceed the state code's requirements until 2031. The bill requires local governments to provide independent third-party evidence verifying that any code change is necessary for public safety or compliance with state/federal law, rather than for cost reduction. This directly affects counties, cities, and villages that enforce building codes, as well as construction businesses and property owners subject to these regulations.