This blog post is being updated as bills move through the legislative process.
We are now more than halfway through the legislative session. Hearings have concluded, and full-day floor debate has begun. Speaker Arch, state senators and committees have identified their priority bills and will focus on debating these issues for the remainder of the session. Meanwhile, the Appropriations Committee is working diligently on the budget. With a $289 million shortfall, tough decisions will be necessary before the budget moves to General File for the first round of debate.
At this point, bills that have not been prioritized or carry a large fiscal note are unlikely to progress this session. Instead, those that have not been indefinitely postponed or amended into other bills will be carried over to the 2026 session, the second year of the biennium. While First Five Nebraska has had the opportunity to collaborate with several senators this session to successfully pass bills approved by the Governor, there will be several bills that will be carried over to next session.
Here is a summary of the bills that have advanced to Final Reading or have already been approved by the Governor.
LB22 calls on the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) to submit a state plan amendment to CMS for targeted case management for evidence-based nurse home visiting for new mothers. This would allow programs like Family Connects in Lincoln to bill Medicaid and offer 3-4 visits with a nurse in the home at discharge from labor and delivery. This bill passed on Final Reading and sent to the Governor for his signature on April 3.
LB41 updates Nebraska’s existing statute for prenatal screens for syphilis from one screening in the first trimester, to the best practice of two additional screenings (at the third trimester and at delivery) to address Nebraska’s 1,100% increase in rates of congenital syphilis, or babies being born with syphilis. LB41 was passed on Final Reading and sent to the Governor for his signature on April 3.
LB51 signs Nebraska onto the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact. The Compact better facilitates federal and interstate background checks, making the process more efficient for professions with background check requirements, including child care. LB51 was approved by the Governor on Feb. 25.
LB104 defines evidence-based home visiting services in statute, and calls on NDHHS to offer annual reports from 2026-2028 on the use and impact of state funds for home visitation programs. LB104 was included in AM348, which was adopted to LB22 on Select File. LB22 was placed on Final Reading on March 27.
LB182 expands accessibility to two tax credit programs, including the Nebraska Child Care Contribution Tax Credit. The bill provides for allowable use for banks and insurance companies to donate to early childhood programs. LB182 was approved by the Governor on Feb. 25.
LB248 exempts from state licensing requirements child care programs on a military base or federal property, as well as programs licensed as a family child care provider by the military. State senators passed LB248 on Final Reading and it was sent to the Governor for his signature on April 3.
LB339 requires NDHHS to provide a summary report of claims reimbursed for each licensed child care provider in the previous calendar year. The report is due February 1 each year. Fortunately NDHHS has found additional funds to make this change administratively, so this bill will not need to move forward.
LB457 requires early childhood programs to adopt an anaphylaxis policy if they are caring for a child with a known food allergy. Programs have the option of adopting a model policy to be developed by the state. LB457 was advanced to Final Reading on March 26.
Follow these bills and others on our website’s Legislative Watchlist page where you’ll see bill descriptions, sponsoring senators, FFN hearing testimony and policy briefs and more. Click on bill numbers to visit the Legislature’s page on the bill where you’ll see bill language, committee statements, online comment lists, statements of intent, fiscal notes, movement of the bill through the legislative process and all recorded votes.
