Rep. Dave Murman

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution honors Pryce Sandfort and Braden Frager, two University of Nebraska men's basketball players from District 38, and their families for their contributions to Nebraska basketball. The bill formally recognizes Brian Sandfort and Rick Frager, the fathers of the athletes, as standout high school basketball players who helped establish a strong athletic tradition in their communities. By acknowledging this family legacy, the resolution aims to celebrate the connection between high school and collegiate athletics in Nebraska. The measure also directs that copies of the resolution be sent to the athletes and their families as a gesture of appreciation.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution honors Coach Russ Ninemire for his fifty-year career coaching high school girls' basketball in Nebraska. It acknowledges his achievements, including winning ninety-five consecutive games and earning six hundred sixty-six total victories, as well as his induction into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The measure formally recognizes his contributions to students and girls' athletics and directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to him.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution formally congratulates the City of Clay Center for receiving the 2026 Best Tasting Drinking Water award from the Nebraska Rural Water Association. The document serves as an official acknowledgment of the city's achievement in providing high-quality water within the state. It does not alter any laws or policies but instead directs a copy of the commendation to the city as a gesture of recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1.65 million in state funds to the Nebraska Department of Education to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 1050 over the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 fiscal years. The money comes from the General Fund and is restricted from being used for employee salaries or travel expenses. An emergency clause is included to allow the bill to take effect immediately upon approval. The legislation directly affects the state education department and any programs funded under LB 1050.

Maddy summaryLB 1023 eliminates the sales and use tax exemption for admissions to nationally accredited zoos and aquariums operated by public agencies or nonprofit organizations primarily for educational, scientific, or tourism purposes. This change means these facilities will begin charging sales tax on admissions starting October 1, 2026. The bill directly affects zoos and aquariums currently exempt from this tax under Nebraska law. It modifies Section 77-2704.67 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes to remove the exemption provision, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryLB 1060, the Child Placement Services Preservation Act, protects child-placing agencies in Nebraska from government penalties if they decline services (like foster or adoptive placements) based on religious beliefs. It requires agencies to refer clients to other qualified agencies when declining services for religious reasons, providing contact information or a department website link. The bill directly affects faith-based and non-faith-based child-placing agencies, children needing foster care or adoption, and the Department of Health and Human Services. It prohibits the state from taking "adverse actions" (like denying funding or licenses) against agencies for religiously based refusals, while ensuring children can still access placement services through referrals.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 1061 revises residency rules for determining eligibility for in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities. It requires students to establish a Nebraska home for at least 180 days with intent to make it permanent, supported by documentation, for most cases. The bill adds specific pathways, including for military-affiliated students (active duty or spouses of service members stationed in Nebraska), students who graduated from Nebraska high schools (with three years of prior residency), and students with parents who established residency while they attended school. This change directly affects students seeking lower in-state tuition rates at Nebraska's public postsecondary institutions.

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 1050 amends Nebraska's Reading Improvement Act to require students in kindergarten through third grade to meet a reading proficiency threshold before advancing to fourth grade. School districts must administer approved reading assessments three times annually, identifying students scoring below the threshold as having a "reading deficiency" that prevents grade advancement until proficiency is achieved. The bill establishes specific performance thresholds for assessments and creates a test-based portfolio option by January 2027 to demonstrate grade-level reading mastery. This directly affects K-3 students in Nebraska public schools, requiring them to demonstrate grade-level reading skills before moving to fourth grade.

Maddy summaryLB 1024 requires Nebraska school districts to include age-appropriate instruction on the history of communism in social studies curricula starting with the 2027-28 school year. The bill mandates coverage of specific topics, including domestic communist movements in the U.S., atrocities under foreign communist regimes, comparisons with democratic principles, and historical events like the Soviet Union's history and Cultural Revolution. This affects all Nebraska public school students in social studies classes, with school districts required to consult the State Department of Education and committees on American civics to align curricula with these standards. The bill amends existing education statutes to integrate this content into academic standards and ensures school committees review curricula to meet these requirements.