All Roll Calls
Yes: 159 • No: 0
NebraskaLB1101109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET
Change provisions of the Judges Retirement Act
Sponsored By: Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee
Signed by Governor
Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
New rates for judges’ pension contributions
The law sets payroll contribution rates by when you first served as a judge. Original members pay 4% of pay until they reach the plan’s maximum benefit; payments can resume if the maximum later rises. Members who joined before July 1, 2015 and did not elect the alternate option pay 6% until the maximum. Those who joined before July 1, 2015 and first served on or after July 1, 2004, or who elected that option, pay 8% until the maximum, then 4% after that while still serving. Judges who first serve on or after July 1, 2015 pay 10% before July 1, 2026; starting July 1, 2026 they pay 9% if not at the maximum by that date, or 5% if they are. Some members in two listed groups also pay an extra 1% on top of these rates starting July 1, 2009.
Annual COLA for newer judicial retirees
Each July 1, benefits for retirees who first joined on or after July 1, 2015 rise by the smaller of inflation or a cap. The cap is 1% before July 1, 2026 and 2.5% on and after July 1, 2026. The board may choose a similar index if the CPI-U stops.
State funding and smoothing for judges’ plan
Starting July 1, 2023, the state pays from the General Fund an amount equal to 5% of total judges’ pay each year; beginning July 1, 2026 the rate is 0% unless the Legislature changes it. The actuary reviews the funded ratio and may recommend adjusting the state rate; the board must notify the Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee, the Governor, and the Supreme Court of any recommendation. Beginning July 1, 2021, changes in unfunded liability are spread over 25 years from the valuation date; if unfunded liability is zero or negative, liabilities reset and are amortized over 25 years. With an actuary’s recommendation and written notice, the board may combine or offset amortization bases to reduce future rate swings.
Stricter deadlines to send court fees
Clerks of district and county courts must send judges’ retirement fees to the State Treasurer within 10 days after each month ends. If information is late or money is delinquent, the board may charge up to $25 plus 0.038% of the unpaid amount per day. Late fees are sent to the State Treasurer. County judges may not waive uncollectible judges’ retirement fees under section 29-2709.
Court filing fees rise for most cases
Many court filings include a judges’ retirement fee. The fee is $6 through June 30, 2021; $8 starting July 1, 2021; $9 starting July 1, 2022; $10 starting July 1, 2023; $11 starting July 1, 2024; and $12 starting July 1, 2025. In county court, the amount equals 10% of the listed court fee, rounded to the nearest even dollar. Criminal, traffic, and city or village ordinance cases filed in district or county court keep a $6 fee on and after July 1, 2021. No fee applies to filings under sections 33-126.02 and 33-126.06.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 37 • No: 0 • Other: 12
legislature vote • 4/1/2026
Final Reading
Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1
legislature vote • 3/5/2026
Vote
Yes: 37 • No: 0 • Other: 12
legislature vote • 3/5/2026
Vote
Yes: 37 • No: 0 • Other: 12
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor on April 7, 2026
4/7/2026legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
4/1/2026legislaturePassed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 48-0-1
4/1/2026legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
4/1/2026legislaturePresented to Governor on April 1, 2026
4/1/2026legislaturePlaced on Final Reading
3/17/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER134 adopted
3/12/2026legislatureKauth FA760 withdrawn
3/12/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
3/12/2026legislaturePlaced on Select File with ER134
3/10/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER134 filed
3/10/2026legislatureNebraska Retirement Systems AM2263 adopted
3/5/2026legislatureBallard AM1978 withdrawn
3/5/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
3/5/2026legislaturePlaced on General File with AM2263
3/3/2026legislatureNebraska Retirement Systems AM2263 filed
3/3/2026legislatureNebraska Retirement Systems priority bill
2/17/2026legislatureNotice of hearing for February 20, 2026
2/11/2026legislatureBallard AM1978 filed
2/9/2026legislatureReferred to Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee
1/21/2026legislatureKauth FA760 filed
1/20/2026legislatureBallard motion to suspend rules to permit introduction of new bill prevailed
1/16/2026legislatureDate of introduction
1/16/2026legislatureBallard motion to suspend rules to permit introduction of new bill filed
1/14/2026legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
4/7/2026
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted