Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs Nebraska's Education Committee to conduct an interim study examining educational opportunities and services for deaf and hard of hearing elementary students in the state. The study will assess teacher availability, access to communication supports like sign language interpretation and assistive technologies, early language development outcomes, coordination among schools and families, educator training, and regional disparities in service access. The committee will gather input from parents, educators, specialists, and state agencies before submitting findings and recommendations to the Legislature. This measure focuses on gathering information rather than implementing immediate policy changes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryLB 737 requires Nebraska's Health and Human Services Committee and Urban Affairs Committee to hold an annual joint public hearing each October. The hearing must assess progress on the Olmstead plan - Nebraska's strategy to provide community-based services for people with disabilities - specifically in housing, employment, education, community supports, and transportation. Committees must submit a written report to the Legislature by December 31 each year. This bill directly affects individuals with disabilities by ensuring regular public evaluation of their access to community services, and it mandates state agencies to provide transparent updates on implementation. The bill amends existing law to replace prior reporting requirements with this structured annual review process.
Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 734 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to apply for a federal waiver that would eliminate work requirements for certain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants. It repeals existing state rules enforcing work requirements under SNAP, such as those affecting able-bodied adults without dependents. The bill also mandates an annual report to the legislature on SNAP outreach efforts and requires the development of a state outreach plan to increase program access. This change would directly affect SNAP recipients currently subject to work requirements, potentially allowing them to receive benefits without meeting work hours if the federal waiver is approved.
Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a tax reduction currently available for extraordinary dividends and certain capital gains when calculating Nebraska income tax. It directly affects Nebraska taxpayers who receive these specific types of investment income, ending the existing tax break. The change takes effect for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, under the federal tax code. The bill repeals two specific sections of Nebraska's tax code (77-2715.08 and 77-2715.09) that previously provided this reduction.
Maddy summaryLB 1016 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to apply for a federal waiver by July 1, 2026, to allow Medicaid reimbursement for traditional healing services. This bill directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries, particularly American Indian and Alaska Native communities, by enabling access to culturally grounded health practices previously excluded from coverage. Key provisions mandate tribal consultation in defining services and provider eligibility, ensure traditional healing does not replace standard Medicaid care, and require budget neutrality. The waiver aims to improve health equity through services developed with tribal nations, as specified in the bill's requirement for federal approval under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act.
Maddy summaryLB 933 protects Nebraska healthcare practitioners who recommend medical cannabis under the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act. The bill shields doctors, nurses, and other licensed providers from disciplinary action - including license penalties or civil fines - when they provide a written recommendation or state in their professional opinion that a patient may benefit from cannabis for medical treatment. This applies specifically to recommendations for conditions like chronic pain or nausea, not general cannabis use. The law directly affects healthcare professionals who interact with medical cannabis patients in Nebraska.
Maddy summaryLB 932 would amend Nebraska's tax code to create a specific income tax adjustment for tip income and overtime compensation. This adjustment would directly affect workers who earn tips (such as in restaurants or hospitality) or receive overtime pay (common in hourly jobs). The bill adds these income types to the list of modifications applied to federal income when calculating state tax liability. The adjustment would change how these specific income sources are treated in Nebraska's tax computation, though the exact mechanism (e.g., deduction or credit) is not detailed in the provided text. This policy change updates the state's tax code to address these income categories.
Maddy summaryLB 930 would amend Nebraska's tax code to allow retired firefighters and law enforcement officers to deduct their annual retirement benefits from their state taxable income. This change would directly reduce the state income tax burden for eligible retired public safety officers. The bill creates a specific tax deduction for retirement benefits received by these groups, adjusting how their income is calculated for state tax purposes. The policy change is a concrete modification to Nebraska's tax code for this targeted group of retirees.
Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 931 creates a refundable state income tax credit for residents who purchase health insurance through the federal Marketplace. It directly affects low-to-moderate-income Nebraskans with federal adjusted gross income of $29,000 or less who qualify for the federal premium tax credit. The credit equals 100% of the federal credit for incomes up to $22,000, decreasing by 10% for each $1,000 over that threshold (e.g., 90% for $23,000). This credit is refundable, meaning eligible residents receive cash payments even if their state tax liability is zero.
Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 1032 amends adoption laws to recognize and enforce tribal customary adoptions under the Nebraska Indian Child Welfare Act. The bill directly affects Native American children, tribes, and families involved in tribal adoption processes by ensuring these adoptions are legally valid in Nebraska courts. Key provisions harmonize state adoption statutes (including those governing consent, parental rights termination, and foster care) with tribal practices, requiring courts to honor tribal adoption orders. The bill defines terms like "tribal customary adoption" and removes barriers that previously prevented tribal adoptions from being recognized under state law. This change aligns Nebraska's adoption system with tribal sovereignty and the federal Indian Child Welfare Act.