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
27 provisions identified: 13 benefits, 2 costs, 12 mixed.
Felony for forging ballot signatures
Forging or falsely placing initials or signatures on certain ballots is a Class III felony. This protects ballot security and the accuracy of election results.
Stronger ballot security and oversight
Watchers can observe early‑vote counting. Before statewide elections, counties must certify vote‑device testing dates to the Secretary of State, who posts them online. Ballots going to a central count site must be delivered directly, with no extra stops. In midday pickups, ballots stay in the original box unless two party watchers observe removal. Receiving boards must separate provisional ID envelopes and deliver them with the ballot box and materials as directed.
Unclaimed property funds and privacy rules
Beginning July 18, 2026, the State Treasurer runs two funds for unclaimed property: a liquidation proceeds trust fund to pay claims and a cash fund for administration. The Treasurer may deduct administration costs to the cash fund and invest available money. Starting July 18, 2026, the Treasurer must keep owners’ Social Security numbers, birth dates, and last‑known addresses confidential. The Treasurer may withhold unclaimed records from the public and share them only with the apparent owner or with states that give similar protections.
Unclaimed funds support schools and capitol
Beginning July 18, 2026, each year by November 1, the State Treasurer transfers any Unclaimed Property Trust Fund balance over $5,000,000. From 2026 through 2035, the first $1,000,000 of the excess goes to the Capitol Restoration Cash Fund and the rest goes to the permanent school fund. Starting November 1, 2036, all excess over $5,000,000 goes to the permanent school fund.
Foreign money banned in ballot campaigns
The law bans foreign nationals from giving or spending money on ballot questions. Ballot committees must collect donor affirmations and certify no foreign‑funded preliminary activity. Treasurers and independent spenders must certify no donor took over $100,000 from foreign nationals in the past four years. U.S. subsidiaries of foreign parents may spend only with domestic funds and U.S. decision‑makers. Violations carry large fines: committees pay the greater of the prohibited amount or $100,000; foreign nationals pay the amount plus $100,000. The commission can add rules and charge its actual investigation costs.
Higher campaign fees and donor privacy
Committees pay a $150 registration fee. Late filings cost $50 per day, up to $1,500. Near‑election committees (formed within 30 days) must file in two business days or pay $200 per day, up to $2,000. Late contribution reports cost $200 per day for 10 days, then 1% per day up to 10% of the contribution. Lobbyists who file quarterly reports late pay $50 per day, up to $1,500. At the same time, investigations must shield lawful donors’ identities, and officials cannot demand donor lists unless it directly relates to an alleged violation.
Mail and early voting: IDs, deadlines
If you cast a provisional ballot without a photo ID, you must show valid photo ID by the Friday after the election or it will not count. If your mail ballot is missing ID info, you must cure by Friday after the election with a photo ID or a reasonable‑impediment certificate. In-office early ballots are available up to 30 days before statewide elections (15 days for others). You must show valid photo ID and vote or return the ballot by poll closing. Unregistered voters who request a ballot remotely by the third Friday get a registration form with the ballot; no ballot is mailed to unregistered voters after that Friday. If you moved within the county, the clerk updates your address and mails an acknowledgment and your ballot. Public lists of early voters cannot show your birth day and month, signature, ID number, ID copy, or impediment certificate. A voter or an agent can hand-deliver a signed replacement statement; if sent by mail, email, or fax it must arrive by 6 p.m. on the second Friday before the election to get a replacement mailed. Officials may mail ballots starting on the 25th day before the election. If you spoil a ballot, mark it spoiled and return it; you can receive no more than four ballots total.
Recount cost and deadlines for candidates
A recount costs $100 per precinct. The request must list the counties and include payment when filed. You must file within three days after the canvassing board finishes. Recounts may be done at the same time to save time. If actual costs are lower, you can claim a refund; if higher, you must pay the extra. If the recount makes you the winner, all costs you paid are refunded.
Clearer candidate names and filings
A candidate nominated by petition must have “By Petition” printed after the name. A candidate may change the ballot name to a new legal name by the filing deadline, with proof. Objections to filings must be in writing within seven days (or within three business days for special elections). Filing officers must give written notice of any objection to all affected candidates. Hiding or suppressing a duly filed candidate form is a Class III felony.
Earlier written notice for election workers
Election appointees get written notice at least 15 days before statewide elections. For special elections, county notices go out by the third Friday before the election. Appointees must report for forms and training and may be excused for illness or another good reason.
Parties may open primaries to independents
Any political party may allow unaffiliated voters to vote in that party’s primary for offices where the party has candidates. The party must use the process set in the law to allow this.
Parties may open primaries to unaffiliated
A political party can let unaffiliated voters choose that party’s primary ballot. The party must file the rule at least 60 days before the primary. The rule is final and only applies to the next primary.
Precinct size rules for voters
Precincts must have at least 75 registered voters based on the last statewide general election. They must not exceed 1,750 registered voters based on presidential election day turnout. Officials may allow fewer than 75 to avoid undue hardship. Precincts generally cannot change between the statewide primary and general elections.
Sanitary districts stop paying election costs
Sanitary and improvement districts no longer have to pay the costs to hold nominating elections for their officers.
Stronger election notices and privacy
Counties must publish and post the election notice at least 42 days before the election and share it with listed subdivisions. Corrections that change ballots must arrive within five days after mailing the notice. Counties must publish a sample ballot in a newspaper between 30 and 2 days before the election (at least 30 days for certain elections), paying no more than the regular display ad rate. Ballot envelopes must not show a voter’s party on the outside.
Village clerk can pay urgent bills
If more than half of a village board’s seats are vacant, a yearly resolution can let the clerk issue warrants and pay bills. The clerk may only pay expenses the board already approved, or those required by law or contract. This authority ends once vacancies drop below half.
Public database of local finances
The state will publish a database of county, city, and village finances. It includes auditor reports and may show revenues, spending, and balance sheets. The department must set the launch date on or before January 1, 2027.
Late fees for campaign filings
The law sets late fees for missing campaign finance reports and statements. Most missed reports cost $50 per day, capped at $1,500. Missing an exemption statement costs $50 per day, capped at $450. For out-of-state contribution or late independent expenditure reports, you pay $200 per day for the first 10 days. After day 10, extra percentage fees apply; for out-of-state reports, it is 1% per day up to 10% of the amount. The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission collects these penalties.
Officials repay costs for late abstracts
If an abstract of votes is late because of the election commissioner or county clerk’s fault, that official must repay the county for the messenger cost to retrieve it.
New mail voting costs and checks
You must pay the postage to return an early or mail ballot. Before getting a replacement ballot, officials must match your signature to your voter record. If you did not answer an address check, the office mails you a notice that explains how to get a ballot and the deadlines.
Unclaimed property fee cap and audits
Beginning July 18, 2026, professional finders may charge at most 10% of the property’s value. They cannot charge any fee until 24 months after the names are published. Finders must tell the owner the property’s nature, location, value, when it was reported, and that the owner can claim it free from the State Treasurer. Also starting July 18, 2026, the seven‑year limit for state enforcement pauses when the Treasurer sends an exam notice or the holder enters a voluntary disclosure. The pause ends when the exam is done, the required report is filed, or the agreement ends.
Canceling special elections and costs
A political subdivision may cancel a special election by sending a resolution by the fourth Thursday before election day. Cancellations after that date do not count. The subdivision must pay costs already incurred for the canceled election.
Faster canvass and vote reporting
By noon the day after election day, the clerk must post when the county canvassing board will meet. Counties must send vote abstracts to the Secretary of State by the third Monday after the election. If sent by email or fax, the original must arrive by the fourth Wednesday. If abstracts are late, the Secretary of State can require overnight delivery with tracking or send a messenger, at the county’s expense.
Limits near ballot drop boxes
No petition circulation is allowed within 25 feet of a secure ballot drop box. No electioneering is allowed within 200 feet of a secure drop box. The 25‑foot petition rule runs from mailing of ballots to the receipt deadline (for mail elections) or from early voting mailings to the receipt deadline (for other elections). If an official sees a violation, they must warn the person and order them to stop. Only if the person keeps violating after the warning is it a Class V misdemeanor.
New campaign and lobbyist reporting rules
Principals, as well as lobbyists, must file special reports and pay late fees if they miss deadlines. Principals can ask the commission to reduce or waive late fees and for filing exemptions. Individuals may report a P.O. box as a contributor address; committees must list a street address and the treasurer’s full name. Ballot question committees must file monthly statements starting in the month the petition form is filed and a final statement within 30 days after the petition deadline. Foreign nationals may volunteer and send unpaid advocacy that is not a contribution or expenditure.
Open observing of counts; register copy limits
Watchers and observers cannot be excluded from vote‑counting or machine‑testing rooms unless officials provide a clear view by closed‑circuit TV, a window, or a similar device. Only the Secretary of State, election officials, law enforcement, or the courts may copy the precinct sign‑in register. Others may not copy that register.
Outdated election and finance laws repealed
The law repeals listed Nebraska statutes, including sections 13‑501, 32‑806, 32‑945, 49‑1403, 49‑1449, 49‑1450, 49‑1451, 49‑1455, 49‑1458, 49‑1463, 49‑1467, 49‑1469.08, 49‑1478.01, 49‑1479.01, 49‑1479.02, 49‑1483.03, 49‑1488.01, 69‑1315, and 69‑1317. These provisions are removed from Nebraska law.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Rita Sanders
Senate
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
4/15/2026legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
4/10/2026legislaturePassed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 49-0-0
4/10/2026legislaturePlaced on Final Reading
4/8/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
4/7/2026legislaturePlaced on Select File
4/7/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
4/1/2026legislaturePlaced on General File
3/30/2026legislatureDate of introduction
3/30/2026legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
3/30/2026
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted