Rep. Danielle Conrad

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 882 amends tax exemption rules to expand homestead tax relief for veterans and surviving spouses. It directly affects veterans with 100% service-connected disability (or temporary disability), their unremarried surviving spouses, and spouses who remarried after age 57. The bill simplifies certification requirements: veterans qualifying under section 77-3506(2)(a) no longer need annual applications (only every 5 years), while others must provide annual certification from the VA, except every 5 years. Surviving spouses who remarry before age 57 lose their exemption, requiring notification to the county assessor.

Maddy summaryLB 1184, the Nebraska Tribal College Investment Act, creates a state fund to provide matching grants to Nebraska tribal colleges (specifically 1994 Institutions located in Nebraska) for high-demand educational programs. The bill requires tribal colleges to secure new private funding commitments before applying for grants, with the state matching those private funds up to the same amount. The Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education will administer the fund and disburse grants by January 1 each year. This act directly affects tribal colleges by enabling them to expand accessible, in-demand education programs through public-private partnerships. The fund is financed by legislative transfers and private contributions, with unused funds invested per state investment rules.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 71 updates how the state reimburses child care providers under the federal Child Care Subsidy program. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to adjust reimbursement rates every odd year based on market rates, ensuring rates are at least the 75th percentile of local costs. Quality-rated child care programs (Step Up to Quality Act) and nationally accredited providers may receive higher reimbursement rates. The bill also changes income eligibility thresholds for child care assistance, raising the limit to 185% of the federal poverty level before October 2026 and lowering it to 130% after that date.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 65 exempts individuals under 19 from paying court fees, costs, and probation fees in juvenile court proceedings and for certain criminal offenses committed as minors. The bill directly affects minors (under 19) and their parents/guardians, who will no longer be liable for these costs in juvenile cases. Key provisions include presuming minors indigent for discovery costs, banning fines in juvenile proceedings, and prohibiting recovery of fees from juveniles or their families. The bill also updates juvenile code provisions related to diversion programs, appointed counsel, and DNA testing costs.

Maddy summaryLB 16 establishes Nebraska's first regulatory framework for consumable hemp products, requiring retailers to obtain licenses and follow specific rules for sales. It defines consumable hemp products as those intended for inhalation or ingestion (excluding topical products and certain seeds regulated by the FDA), creates a Hemp Control Commission under the existing Liquor Control Commission, and sets licensing procedures. This bill directly affects businesses selling hemp products for consumer use (not resale) and the commission overseeing enforcement. The law aims to regulate these products for public safety while generating tax revenue through excise taxes on consumable hemp sales.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 165 authorizes municipalities and counties to establish syringe services programs (SSPs) through local ordinances, allowing them to provide sterile syringes, safe disposal, overdose prevention resources, and referrals to health services for individuals aged 18+ who inject drugs. The bill requires SSPs to avoid locations within 500 feet of schools, childcare facilities, or public recreation centers and mandates specific services like naloxone access and substance use disorder referrals. It amends state law to exempt SSP staff and participants from drug paraphernalia penalties when handling syringes or needles as part of the program, while repealing prior sections of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. This legislation directly affects public health programs, participants, and law enforcement by creating a legal framework for harm reduction services.

Maddy summaryLB 101 amends Nebraska's landlord-tenant law to guarantee tenants the right to a jury trial in eviction cases. It prohibits landlords from including rental agreement clauses that waive tenants' legal rights (including jury trial rights) or require tenants to pay landlord attorney fees. The bill requires courts to inform defendants of their jury trial option at first appearance and mandates that eviction cases seeking possession be scheduled for trial within 10-14 days if tried without a jury. This directly affects tenants facing eviction and landlords initiating eviction proceedings under Nebraska's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

Maddy summaryLB 375 creates a grant program to help Nebraska grocery stores in smaller communities expand access to nutritious food. It provides funding for specific "new investments" like technology upgrades, transitioning to cooperative business models, or improving supply chains, primarily targeting stores in towns under 40,000 residents or Nebraska’s 90 least-populated counties. To qualify, stores must meet eligibility criteria including demonstrating community need, having a self-sustaining plan, and committing to match at least half the project cost. Grants must be spent within three years, and the program requires annual reporting on funded projects and outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensed child care and early education programs (including for-profit, nonprofit, Head Start, and Early Head Start programs) to implement emergency safety plans and notification systems similar to those in schools. It creates a state fund to provide competitive grants to local agencies for emergency notification systems, safety training, and materials to support safe reunification of children during emergencies. The grants, capped at $1,000 annually per agency service, will help programs prepare for threats like fires, intruders, or weather events. The State Department of Education must report annually on grant usage and program participation without disclosing specific child care facility details.

Maddy summaryLB 282 allows K-12 teachers in Nebraska public, private, denominational, or parochial schools to seek up to $300 in reimbursement for school supplies they personally purchased. Teachers must submit receipts to the State Department of Education, which will administer the program based on policies developed by the State Board of Education. The bill requires the State Board to specify eligible supplies and establish application procedures, effective starting the 2025-26 school year. This directly affects teachers who cover out-of-pocket supply costs, providing a structured reimbursement process.