All Roll Calls
Yes: 85 • No: 0
NebraskaLB1075A109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET
Appropriation Bill
Sponsored By: Rita Sanders
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
26 provisions identified: 13 benefits, 3 costs, 10 mixed.
Lower late fees for campaign filings
Beginning July 18, 2026, many campaign and lobbying late fees drop to $25 per day, capped at $750 per filing. Lobbyist quarterly statements use this rate; the commission can reduce or waive fees. A statement of organization is $25 per day (cap $750), but if formed within 30 days before an election it is $100 per day (cap $1,000) and must be filed within two business days. Changes to an organization, campaign statements, independent‑expenditure reports, section 49‑1469 reports, and earmarked‑contribution reports are $25 per day (cap $750). A late statement of exemption is $25 per day (cap $225). Some failures remain crimes (Class IV or Class III misdemeanors).
Ban on foreign money in ballot questions
Beginning July 18, 2026, foreign nationals may not give, spend, solicit, or help make decisions on ballot‑question campaigns. The ban covers direct and indirect actions.
Unclaimed funds boost schools and Capitol
Beginning July 18, 2026, the State Treasurer transfers excess balances from the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund each year. From 2026 through 2035, amounts over $5 million move by November 1, with the first $1 million to the Capitol Restoration Cash Fund and the rest to the permanent school fund. Starting in 2036, amounts over $5 million go to the permanent school fund. Before 2026, any balance over $1 million moves to the permanent school fund.
Higher penalties for late political reports
Beginning July 18, 2026, penalties rise for late political money reports. Committees that miss a two‑day report for a $1,000+ late contribution or a late independent expenditure owe $100 per day for the first 10 days, then 1% per day of the amount, capped at 10%. Major out‑of‑state contributors that miss their reports face the same daily fees. Lobbyists and principals who file special $5,000‑month session reports late owe $100 per day for the first 10 days, then 1% per day of the amount required to be reported, capped at 10%.
Recount thresholds and requester costs
A losing candidate gets an automatic recount if the margin is tiny: 1% or less when more than 500 votes were cast, or 2% or less when 500 or fewer were cast. If you are not entitled to an automatic recount, you may still request one but must pay an estimated $100 per precinct up front. The estimate may be adjusted after the recount. If the recount shows you are the winner, the costs you paid are refunded.
Tighter rules on foreign money in measures
Beginning July 18, 2026, the law blocks foreign-national funding in ballot-measure efforts and adds firm checks. Ballot committees must certify no early “preliminary activity” was foreign-funded and must get donor affirmations. Treasurers and independent‑expenditure filers must certify donors did not intentionally accept over $100,000 from foreign nationals in the past four years. Breaking the ban brings fines of the illegal amount or $100,000 (foreign nationals owe the amount plus $100,000), plus investigation costs. A U.S. subsidiary of a foreign parent may participate only if it is a separate U.S. entity, uses provable U.S.-earned funds, and only U.S. citizens or permanent residents make the decisions. The law also defines “foreign national” and “preliminary activity” to guide enforcement.
New state funds for unclaimed property
Beginning July 18, 2026, Nebraska creates two unclaimed property funds: a Cash Fund and a Liquidation Proceeds Trust Fund. The State Treasurer credits certain receipts and may deduct program costs into the Cash Fund before transfers. The State investment officer invests available money. The Legislature may direct transfers from the Cash Fund to the General Fund.
Limits on unclaimed property finder fees
Beginning July 18, 2026, professional finders of unclaimed property cannot charge a fee until 24 months after holder names are published or disclosed. Any fee is capped at 10% of the property’s value, and finders must tell owners the property’s nature, location, value, when it was reported, and that owners can claim it free. The law also keeps owners’ Social Security numbers, birth dates, and last‑known addresses confidential, and blocks commercial locators from inspecting or copying holder reports. The Auditor of Public Accounts still has full access.
Ballot privacy and electioneering limits
Official ballots are white unless a different color is approved for local elections, and that color cannot match sample ballots. Ballot envelopes for general or special elections cannot show a voter’s party. Electioneering is banned inside polling places, within 200 feet of entrances or drop‑boxes, and petitioning is banned within 25 feet of drop‑boxes. Yard signs within 200 feet are allowed only on private property not owned with the polling place or drop‑box. Violations are a Class V misdemeanor.
Clerks can pay bills during vacancies
If more than half of a village board’s seats are empty, the board must yearly authorize the clerk to prepare claims and issue warrants. The clerk may pay only bills the board already approved or that law or contracts require. This authority ends once enough trustees are seated, and the board must review the clerk’s claims.
Election worker notice, training, exemptions
Election officials mail appointment letters to judges, clerks, inspectors, counting‑board, and canvassing‑board members at least 15 days before statewide primaries and generals, and by the third Friday before special elections. Appointees must complete training required by the Secretary of State and any local training. Anyone age 70 or older who asks on the questionnaire is excused from service.
Harsher penalties for election filing fraud
The law makes certain election filing and ballot‑signature fraud a Class III felony. This includes lying on candidate filing forms, destroying or suppressing filings, and forging initials or signatures on ballots.
More privacy for nonprofit donors
Beginning July 18, 2026, state and local investigations under the Nebraska Political Accountability and Disclosure Act must protect lawful donor identities as much as possible. Agencies and courts may collect donor names from tax‑exempt groups only when the identity directly relates to an alleged violation.
Noncitizens can volunteer in politics unpaid
Beginning July 18, 2026, foreign nationals may volunteer and do nonmonetary advocacy on ballot measures. They can send electronic messages supporting a committee or measure. The activity cannot be a contribution or an expenditure under law.
Parties can open primaries to independents
A political party can let unaffiliated registered voters vote in its primary. The party must file a letter and its rule with the Secretary of State at least 60 days before the primary. The rule cannot be revoked and applies only to that next primary.
Public database of city and county finances
The state creates a public online database of county, city, and village finances. It includes information sent to the Auditor and, when available, revenue, spending, and balance sheets from recent audits. The Department of Administrative Services must launch it by January 1, 2027.
Stronger ballot transport and oversight
When ballots are counted at a central site, workers go straight there with sealed boxes. In midday pickups, ballots stay in the box unless two parties’ poll watchers watch removal. Each party can appoint a watcher at counting sites; watchers and board members take an oath and must have an unobstructed view. Early‑voting counting boards are balanced by party and start no earlier than the second Friday before the election. Counties test vote‑counting devices three times before counting and certify the test date to the Secretary of State.
Longer enforcement window for unclaimed property
Beginning July 18, 2026, the State Treasurer can pause the seven‑year limit to act on unclaimed property. The clock pauses when the Treasurer notices an examination or when a holder signs a voluntary disclosure. It resumes when the exam ends, the required report is filed, or the agreement ends.
Local governments pay election costs
Cities, villages, townships, school districts, and other local entities pay the costs of their elections. Charges are based on total costs, split by precinct, and prorated by the printed ballot inches in each precinct. Each entity pays at least $100 for each primary and general election.
Candidate petitions, name changes, objections
Candidates who use petitions must include proof of paying the filing fee and file a sample before collecting signatures. Petitions are due by August 1 for partisan offices and September 1 for nonpartisan offices. A candidate with a legal name change may update the ballot name by March 1 before the primary or by September 1 before the general, with proof. Candidate filings are valid unless written objections arrive within seven days after the deadline (three business days for special elections). The filing officer’s decision stands unless a court orders otherwise by the statutory cutoff.
Clearer election deadlines and notices
Local governments must certify issues for a special election by the eighth Friday before it. They can cancel a special election by the fourth Thursday before, but they must pay any costs already incurred. Issues for a statewide primary must be certified by March 1; for the general, by September 1. Election notices list dates, hours, candidates, and issues, and run in a county newspaper at least 42 days before. Offices must post the notice and update ballots for corrections sent within five days. Sample ballots must be published 30 to 2 days before an election (at least 30 days for some elections), and papers cannot charge more than their display ad rate.
Options for unaffiliated primary voters
Party‑affiliated voters get their party’s ballot plus nonpartisan ballots. Unaffiliated voters get nonpartisan ballots unless a party files a rule at least 60 days before the primary to let them vote in that party’s primary. An unaffiliated voter may also request a partisan ballot for U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative, but cannot receive more than one partisan ballot. The Secretary of State posts a notice when a party opens its primary to unaffiliated voters.
Precinct size and boundary rules
Election officials draw precincts that are compact, contiguous, and stay within legislative districts. Precincts should have about 75 to 1,750 registered voters based on past elections. A smaller precinct is allowed to avoid undue hardship. Precinct boundaries do not change between the statewide primary and general election unless the Secretary of State approves.
Repeal of named statutes in law
Beginning July 18, 2026, the law repeals the statutes listed in Section 68 and section 32‑1406. Effective January 1, 2027, it repeals sections 32‑915.03, 32‑957, and 32‑1002.01. Section 70 also repeals the listed sections. The practical effects depend on what each repealed section had done.
Timely canvass records and abstracts
By 1 p.m. the day after election day, counties post when the canvass board meets. The canvass starts at least 24 hours after the notice and may fix clear errors or recount items that look wrong. Counties must keep most election materials for 22 months when federal offices are on the ballot, and at least 50 days for some local elections. After the canvass, counties must send the abstract to the Secretary of State by the third Monday after the election (and the original by the fourth Wednesday if sent by email or fax). If a county is late, the Secretary can require overnight delivery or send a messenger at the county’s expense; the responsible official must repay messenger costs if the delay is their fault.
Voter ID and early voting rules
You must show valid photo ID to get an early ballot in person. If you do not show ID at the polls, you complete a provisional ID envelope. Your ballot is counted only if you bring valid photo ID to the county office by the Friday after the election. If you claim a reasonable impediment, you must sign a form the county can verify and not have a current Nebraska license or state ID. You can get an early ballot up to 30 days before statewide elections (15 days for others). Unregistered mail applicants on or before the third Friday get a ballot with a registration form; after that date, ballots are not mailed to unregistered people. Officials include a Voter’s Oath envelope and other required materials. If you spoil a ballot, you can get another, up to four total.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Rita Sanders
legislature
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/10/2026
Final Reading
Yes: 49 • No: 0
legislature vote • 4/1/2026
Vote
Yes: 36 • No: 0 • Other: 13
Actions Timeline
Presented to Governor on April 10, 2026
4/17/2026legislatureApproved by Governor on April 15, 2026
4/17/2026legislaturePassed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 49-0-0
4/10/2026legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
4/10/2026legislaturePlaced on Final Reading
4/8/2026legislaturePlaced on Select File
4/7/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
4/7/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
4/1/2026legislatureDate of introduction
3/30/2026legislaturePlaced on General File
3/30/2026legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
4/17/2026
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted
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