April 25, 2025

109th Legislature, 1st Session

The Unicameral adjourned this afternoon for a short break before returning for more debate on Monday morning. This week marked the first week of “late night” sessions, which will continue the next few weeks. The biggest news of the week will be the report from the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board, which began its meeting at 2:00 pm today. The state of Nebraska entered the session in January with a projected revenue shortfall of $432 million. This has fluctuated over the last several months with the last forecast at the end of February reducing the shortfall, and subsequently a notification from the federal government that it was lowering its Medicaid cost-share, resulting in an additional cost to Nebraska of $90.3 million. The Appropriations Committee is scheduled to advance the budget next week.
 
Several other significant measures were debated this week by the Legislature. The most controversial measure to advance was LB 89, introduced by Senator Kathleen Kauth (Omaha), to adopt the Stand with Women Act. Debate began on Tuesday afternoon, with the bill advancing upon invoking cloture with a thin margin on Tuesday evening. LB 317, introduced by Senator Tom Brandt (Plymouth), is designed to merge the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, advanced to Final Reading on Tuesday. LB 645, introduced by Senator Beau Ballard (Lincoln), modifies contributions to the School Retirement Fund. The fund is more than 99.9% funded. The bill advanced to Final Reading with a compromise between Senator Ballard and the Nebraska State Education Association and other stakeholders. Another measure, LB 650 introduced by Senator Brad von Gillern (Omaha) at the request of Governor Jim Pillen, advanced to Final Reading. LB 650 is one of several bills aimed to increase revenue to close out the budget shortfall. The bill would repeal or limit a series of recent tax incentive programs, including the Nebraska Advantage Rural Development Act, the Biodiesel Tax Credit, the Relocation Incentive Act, and others. As advanced, the bill is estimated to add $51 million of revenue.
 
Additionally, LR 20CA, introduced by Senator Eliot Bostar (Lincoln), was passed over at the request of Senator Bostar, when it became apparent that he did not have enough votes to overcome the filibuster. LR 20CA would place a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot to allow voters to decide whether to allow online sports gambling.

Financial Crimes Bill Advances to Final Reading

After advancing from General File last week, the Legislature once again took up LB 559 for Select File debate this week. The bill, introduced by Senator Carolyn Bosn (Lincoln), aims to modernize criminal statutes to combat fraud. LB 559 adds a new definition for “skimmer device” and creates a new criminal offense for the installation of a skimmer device and for use of a skimmer device. Additionally, LB 559 would also enact a “kingpin” law for organized financial crimes, allowing an aggregation of transactions to increase punishment for those in leadership positions within criminal organizations. The bill also contains provisions to combat organized retail theft. An amendment was filed by Senator George Dungan (Lincoln) to strip out a provision of the bill that criminalizes installation of a skimmer device. The amendment was defeated and the bill advanced on a vote of 35-2.

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