Rep. Danielle Conrad

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 738 adds a new "Honoring Women Veterans" license plate option to the state's specialty plate program. The bill directs the Department of Motor Vehicles to design plates featuring a woman soldier, "women veterans" at the top, and "honoring her service" at the bottom. Drivers who purchase these plates would pay a fee, with all proceeds going to the Women Veterans Cash Fund. This is a procedural addition to existing specialty plate programs, directly affecting Nebraska drivers who choose to display this specific plate.

Maddy summaryLB 975 requires Nebraska's Attorney General to publicly bid for private legal services exceeding $10,000, hold public hearings on proposed contracts, and disclose all fees, expenses, and hourly rates after case completion. It caps hourly legal rates at $1,000 and mandates detailed post-case reports showing hours worked, expenses, and fee calculations. The law applies to all state contracts for private attorneys executed after its effective date, aiming to increase transparency in taxpayer-funded legal spending. It directly affects state agencies, private law firms, and taxpayers by standardizing oversight of legal service contracts.

Maddy summaryLB 786 creates new military honor license plate designs for Nebraska residents who served in all 11 U.S. military branches (including the Space Force), specific campaign medal recipients (like the Inherent Resolve Medal), and veterans with disabilities (including a wheelchair symbol option). It requires verification through the Department of Veterans' Affairs, limits plate costs to match standard plates, and specifies design rules for alphanumeric and personalized message plates. The bill also includes a sunset clause that would stop issuing certain plates if fewer than 100 are registered annually for two consecutive years. This directly affects eligible veterans, active service members, and those with qualifying military service or disabilities.

Maddy summaryLB 996 prohibits the use of shackles (like handcuffs, leg irons, or waist chains) on juveniles during transportation or detention, except in limited circumstances. It allows shackling only if a juvenile poses a substantial immediate risk of harm, no less restrictive alternative exists, and the restraint is used for the shortest time necessary. The bill also requires written documentation for any exception and mandates that transportation policies for juveniles (including those handled by private contractors) must follow these restrictions. This directly affects juveniles in Nebraska's justice system, law enforcement, and transportation staff who must now comply with these updated safety protocols.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Nebraska juvenile courts to appoint an attorney for juveniles in specific court cases. It mandates appointment when a petition alleges jurisdiction under certain sections of juvenile law, particularly for juveniles in counties under 150,000 population and for all cases in larger counties. The court must inform juveniles and their parents/guardians about their right to counsel, determine financial ability to pay for an attorney, and appoint one at county expense if they cannot afford one. This applies to all proceedings before the juvenile court, ensuring juveniles have legal representation during legal hearings.

Maddy summaryLB 871 increases the dollar limits protecting savings and property from creditor claims, including medical/health savings accounts and homestead property. It requires Nebraska’s Department of Revenue to adjust these exemption amounts every five years starting July 1, 2030, using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to reflect inflation and rounding to the nearest $100. This ensures protections for Nebraska residents’ savings and home equity keep pace with rising living costs. The bill directly affects all individuals relying on these exemptions to shield assets from garnishment, bankruptcy, or other enforcement actions.

Maddy summaryLB 1116 updates Nebraska's rules for state financial assistance for sports arena facilities. It clarifies who qualifies for funding (including publicly owned venues and privately owned concert venues or sports complexes) and specifies exactly how state money can be used - such as for parking near private venues, public infrastructure for sports complexes, or promoting public events. The bill also adds a 24-month deadline for private projects to secure building permits to convert temporary approvals into permanent ones, and tightens limits on how long state funds can support event promotions. These changes aim to make the financing process clearer and more consistent for applicants and the state.

Maddy summaryLB 826 amends Nebraska law to change deadlines and requirements for homestead exemption applications, directly affecting homeowners and veterans seeking property tax relief. It allows late applications for specific circumstances - such as medical conditions, spouse death, or delayed veteran status certification - with a new deadline of June 30 of the year property taxes become delinquent, requiring supporting documentation. The bill also modifies veteran exemption rules, requiring annual filings only every five years (in divisible years) and ensuring surviving spouses retain the exemption for the remaining five-year period after a veteran’s death. These changes aim to provide flexibility for eligible residents while standardizing filing processes.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 1097 adopts the State and Political Subdivisions Sexual Abuse Liability Act, allowing victims of child sexual abuse or sexual abuse involving individuals with developmental disabilities to sue state agencies and local governments (like school districts or cities) directly. The bill waives government immunity for these cases, meaning victims can pursue civil claims against public entities in the same way they could against private organizations. It extends the statute of limitations, permitting lawsuits within 12 years after the victim turns 21 for abuse claims under specific statutes (sections 28-319.01 or 28-320.01), while removing time limits for claims against the direct abuser. This policy change removes barriers to holding public entities accountable for sexual abuse occurring in their care or oversight.

Maddy summaryLB 1078, the Fair Online Pricing Act, prohibits online businesses from setting prices based on a consumer's device features (like battery life, age, or hardware performance) or location data used to make assumptions about the consumer. It allows pricing based on device condition for repairs or trade-ins, and permits location-based pricing for immediate services or legitimate cost differences (like taxes). The law applies to online retailers and service providers selling to Nebraska consumers through devices like smartphones or computers. Violations can result in civil penalties up to $10,000 per incident, enforced by the Attorney General.