Rep. Paul Strommen

Maddy summaryLB 987, the Vision Benefit Plan Act, establishes rules for vision benefit plans in Nebraska. It defines key terms like "covered services" (eye care provided under a plan), "covered materials" (items like glasses or contacts), and "fee schedule" (how much eye care providers are reimbursed). The bill requires insurers to follow specific reimbursement standards and prohibits "nominal" payments that don't cover providers' actual costs. It directly affects vision insurers, eye care providers (optometrists and ophthalmologists), and people enrolled in vision benefit plans. The law creates a regulatory framework to ensure fair reimbursement for vision care services.

Maddy summaryLB 1229 creates a dedicated "Rural Health Transformation Fund" to hold federal funds from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Rural Health Transformation Program, authorized under federal law. The bill requires all applications for and expenditures of these federal funds to be electronically reported to the Legislature and posted publicly, including details on beneficiaries, outcomes, and metrics. It also prohibits using the fund to replace existing state rural health spending and mandates that applicants submit a sustainability plan before receiving funds. The bill strictly limits the fund's use to federal program-approved purposes only.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 1232 amends hunting laws to include mountain lions in the existing limited permit system for landowners. It allows qualifying Nebraska landowners (or their immediate family) who own or lease at least 80 acres of agricultural land to apply for a limited permit to hunt mountain lions on their property. Permits would cost half the regular fee, and the commission would establish rules for application and land eligibility. The bill directly affects landowners seeking to manage mountain lions on their agricultural land, with no new general hunting opportunities created.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers unspent funds from Nebraska's Panhandle Improvement Project Cash Fund to the Animal Damage Control Cash Fund by July 31, 2026. It directly affects the Animal Damage Control Program administered by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, which uses these funds for managing wildlife-related property damage. The bill amends existing law to require this transfer of unobligated money, while repealing the original sections governing the funds. It does not create new spending but redirects existing unspent resources for animal damage control purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Nebraska law to require mobile homes to have certificates of title, aligning them with other vehicles under the state's title system. It specifies that owners must provide proof of ownership (like a manufacturer's certificate, county assessment records, or court order) when applying for a title, rather than relying on landlord-tenant act provisions. The changes directly affect mobile home owners, landlords, and tenants by establishing clear title requirements for mobile homes. Key provisions include defining mobile homes in the Disposition of Personal Property Landlord and Tenant Act and harmonizing title application rules across statutes. The bill does not create new fees or penalties but modifies documentation standards for title issuance.

Maddy summaryLB 699 amends Nebraska's ImagiNE Act to adjust eligibility requirements for sales and use tax incentives. It sets three investment thresholds for businesses: $5 million with 30 new hires, $250 million with 250 new hires, or $50 million with no specific hire requirement. To qualify, businesses must pay wages at least 150% of Nebraska's statewide average hourly wage and offer health insurance coverage to full-time employees. The bill provides tax refunds on qualifying property purchases and exemptions from future sales/use taxes during the program period, subject to these new conditions. It directly affects businesses seeking to expand in Nebraska under the ImagiNE program.

Maddy summaryLB 698 amends Nebraska's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act to update definitions and enforcement. It expands employee coverage by removing exclusions for agricultural workers and those working fewer than 80 hours yearly, while clarifying "small business" as employers with 11-19 employees. The bill increases penalties for violations (up to $5,000 for repeat offenses), requires public posting of citations (excluding contested cases), and strengthens employee lawsuit rights by allowing recovery of attorney fees. These changes directly affect small employers (11-19 workers) and their employees regarding paid sick leave and enforcement.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 697 amends pharmacy practice regulations to update compounding standards and delegated dispensing rules. It requires pharmacists to follow specific U.S. Pharmacopeia standards for compounding (effective Jan. 2023) and prohibits compounding certain drugs, like FDA-withdrawn products or copies of approved drugs during shortages. The bill also revises delegated dispensing permits for public health clinics, limiting dispensing to contraceptive refills, mandating detailed labeling requirements, and requiring a pharmacist's daily availability to answer questions. These changes directly affect pharmacists, pharmacy boards, and public health clinics operating under delegated dispensing permits.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 693 amends the state's deceptive trade practices law to prohibit receiving compensation for certain conduct related to veterans benefits assistance. Specifically, it makes it illegal for anyone to charge fees for helping veterans navigate benefits applications or referrals if that conduct misleads or deceives veterans. The bill defines terms and adds this prohibition to the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, directly affecting third-party assistance providers who charge fees for veterans benefits support. This change aims to prevent deceptive practices by requiring transparency in veterans benefits assistance services.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution formally congratulates Garden County High School's football team (the Eagles) for winning the 2025 Nebraska School Activities Association Class D-6 state championship. It has no policy impact or financial requirements - its sole purpose is to express legislative recognition of the team's achievement through an official letter sent to the school. The resolution acknowledges their first championship title in school history and the community support that enabled it. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or affect any regulations.