All Roll Calls
Yes: 546 • No: 217
NebraskaLB1075109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET
Provide for a database of county and municipal financial information and requirements for village warrants and vacancies in a village board, change provisions of the Election Act, the Nebraska Political Accountability and Disclosure Act, and the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act, and eliminate provisions relating to initiative and referendum petitions
Sponsored By: Rita Sanders
Signed by Governor
Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
17 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 4 costs, 5 mixed.
Ban on foreign money in ballot measures
Starting July 18, 2026, foreign nationals may not give, spend, solicit, or help decide strategy for ballot question campaigns. A narrow exception applies to U.S. subsidiaries that meet strict tests. Ballot committees must get a donor affirmation that the donor is not a foreign national and has not accepted over $100,000 from foreign nationals in the past four years. Violations can bring fines of at least the illegal amount and up to $100,000 or more.
New unclaimed property funds, privacy, and limits
Starting July 18, 2026, the state creates new unclaimed property funds and keeps Social Security numbers and birth dates confidential. Professional finder fees are capped at 10% and must include clear disclosures. Each year from 2026 through 2035, on or before November 1, balances over $5 million move: the first $1 million to the Capitol Restoration Cash Fund and the rest to the permanent school fund. The Treasurer generally has seven years after a holder’s report to start an enforcement action, with the clock paused during an examination or voluntary disclosure.
Election notices, sample ballots, and precinct sizes
Counties must publish an election notice in English and any required language at least 42 days before the election. A sample ballot must run in a local newspaper 30 to 2 days before most elections (at least 30 days for some mail elections), at or below the paper’s display‑ad rate. Precincts should be compact, follow local borders when possible, and have roughly 75 to 1,750 voters, with limits on changing precincts between the primary and general.
Limits on village clerk payments during vacancies
A village clerk can issue warrants only when more than half the board seats are vacant. The clerk may pay only bills the board already approved or bills required by law or contract. The board must pass an annual December resolution, review the clerk’s interim payments, and the clerk’s special authority ends once vacancies are filled.
Parties can include unaffiliated voters in primaries
A political party can let unaffiliated voters vote in its primary. The party must file a letter and its adopted rule with the Secretary of State at least 60 days before the primary. The Secretary of State notifies election commissioners and county clerks in writing. Once filed, the rule is final and applies only to that next primary.
Safer polling places and ballot security
Electioneering is banned inside polling places and within 200 feet of entrances and secure drop boxes. Officials must run three independent tests on each vote‑counting device, allow party watchers to observe, and certify test dates to the Secretary of State. Making or filing false candidate forms or forging ballot initials or signatures is a Class III felony.
Unaffiliated voters can request federal partisan ballots
If you are not registered with a party, you may ask for a party ballot for U.S. Senate and U.S. House races. Officials must post a clear notice. You may receive only one such partisan ballot.
Public database of local government finances
The state creates a public website with county, city, and village financial data. It includes information already filed with the Auditor and may show revenue, spending, and balance sheets from local audits. The Department of Administrative Services must launch it on or before January 1, 2027.
Stronger privacy for nonprofit donors
Starting July 18, 2026, investigations must protect lawful donor identities when possible. State and local officials, including courts, may not demand donor names from tax‑exempt groups unless the names are directly tied to an alleged violation.
Local governments pay their election costs
Starting July 18, 2026, cities, villages, school districts, and other listed local entities must pay the costs to nominate and elect their officers. Officials divide total costs by participating precincts, prorate by inked ballot inches, and bill each entity. Each primary or general election bill has a $100 minimum. Public power districts and some school elections may use alternate billing rules.
Quicker reports for big late spending
Starting July 18, 2026, late contributions of $1,000 or more must be reported within two days; late reports cost $100 per day for 10 days, then 1% per day up to 10%. Late independent expenditures of $1,000 or more face the same two‑day report and penalty schedule. Major out‑of‑state contributors must file monthly reports; late fees match the $100‑per‑day and percentage schedule. A person (not a committee) who makes an independent expenditure over $250 must file within 10 days and certify they did not intentionally accept over $100,000 from foreign nationals in the past four years; late fees are $25 per day up to $750, and knowing false certification is a Class IV misdemeanor.
Rules for election worker appointments and training
Election officials must mail appointment letters to workers at least 15 days before the reporting date. Appointees must report, complete forms, and attend training unless excused. Anyone age 70 or older can request an exemption on the worker form. Not serving when not excused is a Class V misdemeanor.
Stricter campaign committee filings and earmark rules
Starting July 18, 2026, committees must register within 10 days (or 2 business days if formed within 30 days of an election) and disclose members, officers, and bank info. Late or changed filings face $25‑per‑day fees with caps; late campaign and exemption statements also face per‑day fees. Ballot committees must file the first statement within 10 days after the month the petition is filed and report total payments to petition circulators. Earmarked contributions must be forwarded within 10 days and reported; late reports cost $25 per day up to $750, and knowing violations can be misdemeanors. Entities that fail to file required reports owe $25 per day up to $750 and may face criminal penalties for knowing violations.
Faster recount requests and results deadlines
Counties must deliver vote abstracts to the Secretary of State by the third Monday after the election, with the original due by the fourth Wednesday if sent electronically. The Secretary may require overnight or messenger delivery at county expense if late. A candidate must request a recount within five days after canvassing and include payment. If the Secretary cannot hold a recount on the fifth Wednesday, it occurs on the sixth Wednesday.
Lobbying reports and limited late-fee relief
Starting July 18, 2026, lobbyists or principals who raise or spend over $5,000 in a month while the Legislature is in session must file a special electronic report within 15 days. Late reports cost $100 per day for up to 10 days, then 1% per day up to 10% of the reported amount. Quarterly lobbying reports filed late cost $25 per day up to $750, but the commission can reduce the fee if there was no intent to file late, no late fee in two years, and under $5,000 that period.
Mail ballots and photo ID deadlines
Election offices mail ballots between 22 and 10 days before Election Day. Each packet includes a voter oath and ID options. If you did not show photo ID, your ballot counts only if you present valid photo ID to the county by the Tuesday after the election. You may use a reasonable-impediment certificate, and officials must finish ID checks within seven business days.
Old election statutes repealed and replaced
The law removes sets of election‑related sections on July 18, 2026, and repeals three more sections on January 1, 2027. These repeals support the reorganization into a consolidated Election Act and updated ethics rules.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Rita Sanders
legislature
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 43 • No: 1 • Other: 5
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 8 • No: 24 • Other: 17
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 4
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 43 • No: 1 • Other: 5
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 4
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 5 • No: 38 • Other: 6
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 2 • No: 44 • Other: 3
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 36 • No: 0 • Other: 13
legislature vote • 4/10/2026
Final Reading
Yes: 49 • No: 0
legislature vote • 4/7/2026
Vote
Yes: 8 • No: 24 • Other: 17
legislature vote • 4/7/2026
Vote
Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 4
legislature vote • 4/7/2026
Vote
Yes: 43 • No: 1 • Other: 5
legislature vote • 4/7/2026
Vote
Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 4
legislature vote • 4/7/2026
Vote
Yes: 2 • No: 44 • Other: 3
legislature vote • 4/7/2026
Vote
Yes: 5 • No: 38 • Other: 6
legislature vote • 3/23/2026
Vote
Yes: 43 • No: 1 • Other: 5
legislature vote • 3/23/2026
Vote
Yes: 43 • No: 1 • Other: 5
legislature vote • 3/23/2026
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
4/17/2026legislatureDungan MO567 withdrawn
4/10/2026legislatureDungan FA1181 withdrawn
4/10/2026legislatureDungan FA1182 withdrawn
4/10/2026legislatureDungan FA1183 withdrawn
4/10/2026legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
4/10/2026legislaturePassed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 49-0-0
4/10/2026legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
4/10/2026legislaturePlaced on Final Reading
4/8/2026legislatureDungan FA1181 filed
4/7/2026legislatureDungan FA1182 filed
4/7/2026legislatureDungan FA1183 filed
4/7/2026legislatureDungan MO567 Recommit to the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee filed
4/7/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER171 adopted
4/7/2026legislatureKauth FA734 withdrawn
4/7/2026legislatureSanders AM2955 divided
4/7/2026legislatureSanders AM3109 filed
4/7/2026legislatureSanders AM3110 filed
4/7/2026legislatureSanders AM3111 filed
4/7/2026legislatureCavanaugh, M. FA1167 to AM2955 filed
4/7/2026legislatureCavanaugh, J. MO556 failed
4/7/2026legislatureCavanaugh, M. MO569 Reconsider the vote taken on MO556 filed
4/7/2026legislatureCavanaugh, M. MO569 failed
4/7/2026legislatureDungan MO558 not considered
4/7/2026legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
4/17/2026
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted