Rep. Bob Andersen

Maddy summaryLB 886 amends Nebraska's driver's license laws to prohibit the issuance of licenses or permits to noncitizens without lawful U.S. immigration status. It also removes a previous exemption that allowed such individuals to operate vehicles without a license for up to 30 days. Consequently, people in Nebraska without legal immigration status must now comply with standard licensing requirements to drive, but they are barred from obtaining a license under the new rules. The bill repeals the original sections 60-474 and 60-488 of Nebraska's Revised Statutes.

Maddy summaryLB 1134 establishes Nebraska's baseline building, electrical, and energy codes by adopting specific editions of international codes (like the 2018 International Building Code) as the state standard. It limits local governments from creating stricter codes than the state version, prohibiting updates to local codes that exceed the state code's requirements until 2031. The bill requires local governments to provide independent third-party evidence verifying that any code change is necessary for public safety or compliance with state/federal law, rather than for cost reduction. This directly affects counties, cities, and villages that enforce building codes, as well as construction businesses and property owners subject to these regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LB 1159) requires the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission to name one specific person to the Hall of Fame by January 1, 2027. The individual must meet four criteria: be a former U.S. House member, former University of Nebraska-Lincoln football coach, former UNL athletic director, and a Hastings High School graduate. The bill amends existing law to create this one-time exception to the standard naming rules, which otherwise limit the Hall of Fame to one inductee every five years. It does not change the general Hall of Fame process or create new policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two permit options for Nebraska-resident veterans with military service-related disabilities. Veterans rated 50% or more disabled by the VA (or receiving total disability pension) get a free, lifelong combination hunting/fishing permit and required stamps. Veterans rated 10% or more disabled pay $90 for three years or $135 for five years for the same permit package. It applies only to veterans discharged honorably or under honorable conditions, with eligibility tied to VA disability ratings.

Maddy summaryLB 870 changes Nebraska's rules for determining in-state tuition eligibility at state colleges and universities. It adds new residency categories, including students who attended Nebraska high school for three years, military personnel and their dependents stationed in Nebraska, and students who are dependents of Nebraska residents. The bill requires documentary proof of residency for most cases and allows students who lived with a parent in Nebraska during high school to retain in-state status even if the parent moves, provided they intend to make Nebraska their permanent home. This directly affects students applying to Nebraska's public colleges who might otherwise pay higher out-of-state tuition rates.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 1227 modifies how counties, cities, and villages can adopt local energy and electrical codes. It requires local energy codes to be cost-efficient and conform to state standards, ensuring they don’t increase energy consumption beyond the Nebraska Energy Code. The bill clarifies that local codes must align with state building codes (e.g., by referencing specific 2018 International Code sections) and mandates notification if local codes modify certain sections of those standards. It also prohibits local electrical codes from differing from state standards, except for inspector certification requirements.

Maddy summaryLB 1205 requires Nebraska's Department of Economic Development to award grants under the Small Business Investment Program to support small businesses. The bill directs funding to microloan organizations, technical assistance groups, and innovation hubs that provide loans and business support to small businesses, with a focus on job creation and helping low-income communities. Key requirements include a $3 million annual funding limit, a 35% nonstate matching fund requirement for recipients, and mandating that at least 50% of funds support business technical assistance. This bill directly affects small business support organizations and microenterprises across Nebraska, particularly in rural and economically distressed areas.

Maddy summaryLB 926 changes Nebraska's welfare assistance rules for families receiving aid to dependent children. The bill eliminates child care expense reimbursements and extreme hardship provisions, changes the maximum time limit for cash assistance, and updates eligibility rules for minor parents. It also modifies the transitional payment program, which provides up to five monthly payments to families that lose aid due to increased earnings but still have income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. These changes aim to harmonize related provisions under Nebraska's welfare laws.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 730 requires public schools and state agencies to designate restrooms and locker rooms based solely on biological sex (male or female), with signage indicating permitted use. It prohibits individuals from using facilities designated for the opposite sex, except for limited exceptions like custodial staff, emergency assistance, or parents accompanying children. The bill mandates that all state agencies define an individual's sex as male or female for administrative rules, enforcement, and dispute resolution, using specific biological criteria (reproductive systems producing sperm or eggs). It includes limited protections for individuals with differences in sex development under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This bill directly affects public schools and state agencies operating in Nebraska.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 927 amends disclosure rules for ballot question committees to restrict foreign influence. It requires these committees to certify in their campaign filings that no foreign nationals funded preliminary activities (like polling or drafting language) and that they haven’t received over $100,000 in contributions from foreign nationals within the past four years. The bill targets foreign individuals, organizations, governments, or political parties seeking to influence state ballot measures through funding. This applies directly to groups organizing or supporting statewide ballot initiatives, adding verification steps to financial disclosures. The changes align with Nebraska’s Political Accountability and Disclosure Act to strengthen transparency around foreign contributions to ballot campaigns.