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.

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.

​The Legislature concluded debate early on Thursday afternoon after another contentious week of debate. This week, Senators debated and advanced a number of controversial issues, including:

• LR 20CA, introduced by Senator Eliot Bostar (Lincoln), would allow voters to enact a Constitutional amendment to expand online sports gambling.
• LB 322, introduced by Senator Stan Clouse (Kearney), would expand enhanced penalties for assault on certain healthcare workers to include pharmacists and all hospital employees
• LB 645, introduced by Senator Beau Ballard (Lincoln) at the request of Governor Jim Pillen, would provide for a gradual reduction in state contributions to the School Retirement Fund, contingent on the actuarially funded ratio of the fund.

 
Controversial debate is expected to return next week with LB 89, introduced by Senator Kathleen Kauth (Omaha), at the request of Governor Pillen. LB 89 would enact the “Stand With Women Act” and is scheduled for debate beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday.  With only 25 working days remaining, the Legislature has a great deal of work remaining, including the biennial budget, which is expected to advance to the floor on April 29.

​On Wednesday, the Legislature advanced LB 559, introduced by Senator Carolyn Bosn (Lincoln) 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. With the committee amendment, LB 559 now includes LB 464, which creates a new criminal offense for organized retail crime. The bill advanced 38-0 with seven senators present and not voting. 

​Several bills were introduced in the Legislature to regulate medical marijuana which was passed overwhelmingly by the voters in the 2024 General Election last November. LB 677, introduced by Senator Ben Hansen (Blair), was designated as a General Affairs Committee priority bill and was set to restructure the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission to, in large part, act as the Medical Cannabis Commission. However, the committee became deadlocked over what medical conditions should be included for medical marijuana use, and whether patients should be able to smoke or “vape” medical marijuana. Yesterday, the committee voted 5-3 against advancing the bill. Proponents of LB 677 have argued that failing to act would result in a “wild west” with no real regulation, as the ballot initiative was self-enacting. With limited time, the future of LB 677 is uncertain. 

Today is day 60 of the 90-day session. The Legislature adjourned earlier this afternoon following a vote on LB 650, introduced by Senator Brad von Gillern (Omaha) at the request of Governor Jim Pillen. As amended, LB 650 would: (a) create the Community Development Assistance Act (initially filed as LB 458), which provides a tax credit to a community betterment organization that provides community assistance or community services in a community development area; (b) expand the motor vehicle tax exemption for disabled veterans to a larger class of disabled veterans; (c) reduce the cap for tax credits available under the Nebraska Advantage Rural Development Act from $2 million to $1 million for certain businesses and from $10 million to $1 million for livestock-related businesses beginning in calendar year 2026; (d) terminate tax credits available to grocers, restaurants and agricultural producers who donate to food banks; (e) terminate a tax credit available to employers for relocation expenses when hiring out-of-state employees to relocate to Nebraska; (f) terminate a tax credit available under the Nebraska Shortline Rail Modernization Act; (g) limit tax credits available under the Nebraska Biodiesel Tax Credit Act; and (h) put limitations of other tax credits and other clean-up language based on recent changes to property tax levies. 

The week started off with contentious debate on Tuesday over LB 3, introduced by senator Loren Lippincott (Central City) at the request of Governor Pillen. LB 3 would reinstate the "winner-take-all" system for awarding electoral votes in presidential races. Following a motion to invoke cloture, the measure failed on a partisan vote, with no registered Democrats voting for cloture, and two registered Republicans, Senator Merv Riepe (Ralston) and Senator Dave Wordekemper (Fremont), voting against cloture. Following this, the Legislature got back to work and advanced a number of priority bills.

The Legislature also advanced LB 474, introduced by Senator Mike Jacobson (North Platte), which, as amended, includes the key provisions of LB 232 introduced by Senator Bob Hallstrom (Syracuse), on behalf of the NBA. These provisions require any life insurance policy issued in Nebraska, on or after January 1, 2026, to provide notice of lapse or termination to any assignee of record, and that such assignee has the same legal standing as an owner of the policy. This will protect financial institutions when accepting a life insurance policy as collateral for a loan.

The Appropriations Committee continued its work, with only 10 working days remaining until the Committee is required to advance the budget to the floor. The most notable change to date is with the University of Nebraska budget. Governor Pillen recommended a 2% cut to the University of Nebraska's budget, which was preliminarily accepted by the Committee. However, on Tuesday the Committee reversed course and voted to increase the budget by 1.25% for the next fiscal year. The University of Nebraska had requested a 3.5% increase.

The Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board, which forecasts revenue projections for the state, is scheduled to meet again on April 25. This will provide the final numbers needed for completing the budget.

June 9: Day 90 of the legislative session

The Legislature wrapped up a contentious week of floor debate on Thursday afternoon. The four-day weekend will provide a much-needed break for the senators. LB 258, introduced by Senator Jane Raybould (Lincoln), was the focus on Monday and Tuesday of this week. Upon the minimum wage reaching $15.00 per hour next year, LB 258 would cap the minimum wage increase at 1.5% per year and establish a youth wage for 14- to 15-year-olds and a 90-day training wage for 16- to 19 -year-olds, unless they are emancipated. Debate quickly turned negative, including personal attacks on supporters of the bill. The Motion to Invoke Cloture passed on a vote of 33-16, and the bill advanced to Select File on a vote of 32-17, with Senator Stan Clouse (Kearney) flipping his vote to "no." Senator Raybould filed an amendment to up the increase from 1.5% to 2.5% in an attempt to garner more support.

Following the advancement of LB 258 on Tuesday evening, the Legislature returned Wednesday morning to debate LB 646, introduced by Senator Teresa Ibach (Sumner). LB 646, as introduced, would have exempted all feedlots from the Livestock Brand Act, and thus from brand inspections. This divided the agricultural industry with support and opposition closely aligned to geography. The bill advanced after adopting an amendment offered by Senator Ibach to maintain brand inspections, while capping annual feedlot registration fees at $1,000 and eliminating inspection requirements for "affiliated grow yards."

The Legislature will return on Tuesday and take up LB 3, introduced by Senator Loren Lippincott (Central City) to reinstate the "winner-take-all" system for awarding electoral votes. With just over 30 working days remaining, it appears many of the priority bills will not be heard. Speaker of the Legislature John Arch (La Vista) announced Monday that he estimates the budget and tax bills will take up to 20 days of debate.

The Judiciary Committee advanced LB 559 to General File on Wednesday. LB 559, introduced by Senator Carolyn Bosn (Lincoln), modernizes criminal statues to combat fraud. The bill defines skimmer devices and creates a new criminal offense for installation of a skimmer device. Additionally, the bill would enact a "kingpin" law for organized financial crimes. (NBA Position: Support)

A list of all designated priority bills can be found here.

The most recent General Fund Financial Status can be found here.

June 9: Day 90 of the legislative session