PRIA Logo™
NebraskaLB1108109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET

Change provisions related to contracts entered into by and bidding requirements and exceptions for joint entities and public power districts

Sponsored By: Stan Clouse

Signed by Governor

Government, Military and Veterans Affairs 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.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Quicker buys and sheltered workshop deals for districts

If sealed bidding gets no responsive bids, or all bids are above fair market value, a district may buy without further sealed bids. A district may buy replacement parts or related services from the original manufacturer without bids if an engineer certifies it is the only source and the board approves; after approval, the district must publish notice once a week for at least three weeks. A district may negotiate to buy used equipment without bids if an engineer certifies the items meet board standards and the board approves. A district’s board may also negotiate directly with sheltered workshops under section 48‑1503.

When joint entities can skip bidding

Joint entities can bypass sealed bids for work on radioactive material or its energy, for complex or unique equipment, for buys from an electric utility or alliance, or for maintenance or repair. An engineer must certify sealed bidding is impractical or not in the public interest. The governing body must approve by a two‑thirds vote. The entity must publish a notice that describes the work and gives a contact.

New bidding rules for joint entities

The law requires joint entities that build or buy electric‑generating facilities to get engineer cost estimates before any contract. If the estimated cost is over $750,000 and revenue is under $500 million, sealed bids are required. If revenue is $500 million or more, sealed bids start at $1.5 million. Before advertising, plans and specifications must be prepared and filed at the main office. Ads must run in three issues, at least seven days apart, and state the work, where to see plans, the bid deadline, and when and where bids open.

New bidding rules for power districts

Public power districts must have engineers prepare cost estimates before contracts for power plants, hydrogen or ethanol systems, irrigation works, or related purchases. Sealed bids are required when an estimated contract is over $750,000 and district revenue is under $500 million. For districts with $500 million or more in revenue, sealed bids start at $1.5 million.

Districts can skip bids with notice

Districts may bypass sealed bids for work on radioactive material or its energy, special or unique equipment, buys from an electric utility or alliance, or for maintenance or repair. An engineer must certify sealed bidding is impractical or not in the public interest, and the board must approve by a two‑thirds vote. The district must advertise the intent in three issues at least seven days apart, and wait 20 days after the last ad before signing the contract.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Stan Clouse

    legislature

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 92 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/9/2026

Final Reading

Yes: 49 • No: 0

legislature vote • 3/30/2026

Vote

Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor on April 14, 2026

    4/17/2026legislature

  2. President/Speaker signed

    4/10/2026legislature

  3. Presented to Governor on April 10, 2026

    4/10/2026legislature

  4. Dispensing of reading at large approved

    4/9/2026legislature

  5. Passed on Final Reading 49-0-0

    4/9/2026legislature

  6. Placed on Final Reading

    4/7/2026legislature

  7. Kauth FA767 withdrawn

    4/2/2026legislature

  8. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

    4/2/2026legislature

  9. Placed on Select File

    3/31/2026legislature

  10. Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

    3/30/2026legislature

  11. Placed on General File

    3/17/2026legislature

  12. Notice of hearing for February 20, 2026

    2/10/2026legislature

  13. Referred to Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee

    1/21/2026legislature

  14. Kauth FA767 filed

    1/20/2026legislature

  15. Date of introduction

    1/16/2026legislature

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    4/17/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Slip Law

    PDF

  • Final / Enacted

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation