All Roll Calls
Yes: 146 • No: 14
NebraskaLB1126A109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET
Appropriation Bill
Sponsored By: Mike Moser
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
26 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 0 costs, 18 mixed.
Safer, licensed Medicaid rides statewide
The state licenses providers who give nonemergency Medicaid rides inside Nebraska. Providers must follow DHHS safety rules, including training, driver standards, and background checks. They must also meet Public Service Commission rules on insurance and vehicle equipment. These steps make rides safer and more consistent for Medicaid clients.
More chances for small contractors
NDOT may waive prequalification for some jobs, including work estimated at $250,000 or less, emergencies, and routine maintenance; the waiver is at NDOT’s sole discretion. When agencies review public‑private partnership proposals, they must prefer plans that include competitive small‑business subcontractors, unless that would block federal or other funding.
Rules and public info for IDIP
The commission must adopt rules by July 1, 2027 that ensure fair scoring, strong monitoring, audit fixes, and clear loan standards. It must keep internal controls, investment rules, and risk management that follow state audit and ethics laws. The program must keep a public website with reports, adopted rules, and how to apply for help.
New fund to finance transportation projects
The law creates the Infrastructure Development Investment Program run by the State Highway Commission. The program can fund eligible transportation projects like highways, bridges, transit, rail, airports, ports, and bike or walk paths that improve mobility, safety, the economy, or quality of life. The fund can hold federal and state money, grants, private contributions, bond proceeds, repayments, interest, and fees; earnings go back into the fund and are invested. Money can provide loans and other assistance, build reserves, pay interest, enhance credit, pool financing, cover admin costs, and refinance or bridge finance eligible costs. Obligations issued under this Act and their income are exempt from state and local taxes.
How projects are funded and paid
Counties must keep a rural road improvement fund. Money can come from general-fund transfers, special assessments, special levies, and bond sales. The county can pay as work goes with bonds or progress warrants that cover materials, right‑of‑way, engineering and legal costs, incidental costs, and 95% of certified completed work. If certified amounts are unpaid 45 days after approval, the county pays 8% yearly interest until the warrant is tendered; unpaid warrants may also earn interest at a board‑set rate. Costs not paid from the general fund must be paid from the district fund, and the pay for special engineers and lawyers is part of the project cost. The county may accept gifts and contract with the state or federal government to help pay for the project.
Road work and property impacts
Road projects can include culverts, bridges, drainage work, and fences along the right‑of‑way, and the county can work with nearby owners to move or build fences. The county may use contractors or do some work with its own crews and equipment. The county can obtain needed property by gift, purchase, or eminent domain. When the work is accepted, the improved road becomes part of the county system and the county maintains it.
Rules and costs for rural road districts
Districts cannot include land inside a village or city. If owners of more than 50% of the land area object in writing, the county cannot create the district. Special assessments become a lien when levied, are due 50 days later with no interest before that date, and can be paid in equal yearly installments for up to 20 years; unpaid amounts accrue interest up to the statutory rate. Counties may issue general-obligation bonds maturing in up to 20 years to fund the work. After formation, if owners of more than 50% of the district area petition, the county may levy up to 3.5 cents per $100 of taxable value each year for extra road maintenance.
Rural road district steps and costs
If owners of at least 25% of the area file a petition, the county must draft a resolution for a rural road district. The resolution must list the roads, a basic description and surfacing, a rough total cost, how it will be financed, the district boundary, and whether costs will be special assessments or a general county charge. The board cannot adopt the resolution in the same meeting it is proposed. Definitions are updated so it is clear who counts as a person and which body is the county board.
What property owners may pay
After work is accepted, the engineer files the total cost, including any interest on progress warrants, and the board proposes special assessments. Any land inside the district can be assessed based on special benefit, even if it does not touch the improved road. The county must mail and publish notice before the assessment meeting. All assessments and contributions go into a sinking fund to pay district bonds. If that money is not enough to pay bond principal and interest, the county must levy a tax on all taxable property countywide to cover the shortfall, and these district bonds and taxes do not count against county limits. Money from any special maintenance levy must be used only to repair and maintain roads in that district. Advisory committee expenses and mileage are reimbursed and added to project costs.
Medicaid ride payments: caps and rates
DHHS generally pays common and contract carriers at no more than three times the state employee mileage rate (section 81-1176). This cap does not apply to trips only inside a city or village, ADA trips for disabled riders, or NEMT trips under subsection (3) of section 75-311. DHHS may reimburse an individual contractor chosen by a client up to the rate in section 81-1176 or the actual cost, whichever is less. When a state agency sets or agrees to a rate, the PSC does not regulate that rate.
New license rules for Medicaid rides
Beginning January 1, 2027, you must hold a Public Service Commission license to provide intrastate Medicaid nonemergency rides for DHHS or its contractors. Licenses last one year and cost up to $250. The commission may hold hearings and can suspend or revoke a license after at least 15 days’ written notice. Licensed Medicaid NEMT carriers are excluded from some carrier classifications, which can reduce certain regulatory duties. Until January 1, 2027, the PSC must consult the state Medicaid director before deciding if a designation to provide these rides serves the public interest.
Farm hauling permits and fee limits
Vehicles carrying grain or seasonal crops may run up to 120 miles with up to 15% extra weight or 10% extra length; longer combinations are limited to 70 miles. No axle may exceed 20,000 pounds, and a distance waiver can apply for dry beans, peas, and lentils when local storage or markets are unavailable. Permits allow farm implements up to 12.5 feet wide in daylight (not holidays), pre‑sale RV moves if requirements are met, emergency vehicles for sale or display by manufacturers or agents unless tandem axle weight is over 60,000 pounds, and divisible forage bales up to 12 feet in daylight (not holidays). Permit fees are capped: general ≤ $50; continuous permits up to $50 for 90 days, $100 for 180 days, or $200 for one year; some 30‑day permits ≤ $50, renewable up to 150 days a year; superload single‑trip fees are $250/$400/$800 by weight. The department may also charge its direct costs to issue a permit.
New licenses and rules for Medicaid rides
Beginning January 1, 2027, transportation companies and drivers must hold a Public Service Commission (PSC) license to provide intrastate Medicaid nonemergency medical rides. DHHS and its Medicaid contractors can hire carriers that hold the required authority or license. If a company has the Medicaid NEMT license, it does not need separate PSC authorization for those rides; otherwise, PSC authorization is required and can be denied if existing carriers meet the need or public interest would be harmed. The PSC does not regulate reimbursement rates paid to licensed or designated Medicaid NEMT providers, but it can require them to keep bonds or insurance on file. Licenses and certificates can be refused or canceled if carriers fail to maintain required financial security.
New rules for oversize and moving
Agencies can issue special oversize and overweight permits for defense, public welfare, emergencies, or to move cost‑saving equipment. A Superload is any nondivisible load over 16 feet wide, 191 inches high, 150 feet long, or 160,000 pounds. DOT can permit moving buildings or heavy objects on dollies on non‑interstate routes; permits list route, hours, and size, require escorts, and carry a fee up to $50. You must not manipulate overhead power lines; violations can be a Class II misdemeanor. Loads over the gross weight limit by more than 25% must travel 5 mph or less. For loads 16 feet high or taller, you must swear that you contacted all affected electric utilities and made safe‑movement arrangements. Vehicles must be registered for the maximum gross weight before any permit is issued.
New state infrastructure financing tools
Political subdivisions can apply for program loans, and once a contract is signed, they must repay from pledged revenues. The program may issue and refund bonds, keep debt‑service and reserve accounts, and set aside money each year to pay principal and interest. It may take pledges of project revenues, assessments, user fees, or tax increments; each pledge creates a binding lien. Obligations are lawful investments for banks, insurers, and pension funds and must meet federal securities rules, including 26 U.S.C. 148 as of January 1, 2026. On default, bondholders or trustees can seek court orders, and the program can ask the Legislature to reduce a borrower’s appropriation to cover missed payments. The program also must keep federal, state/local, and administrative funds in separate accounts and avoid commingling where federal law forbids it.
Broader use of public-private projects
Agencies may use public‑private partnerships for Transportation Innovation Act projects and other transportation work allowed by the state constitution. State PPP contracts are awarded by competitive negotiation. Contracting agencies now include the DOT and eligible cities, villages, and counties, which may adopt DOT procurement guidelines and local rules to carry out the Act. Political subdivisions generally cannot use design‑build, CMAR, or PPP for roads, but can use them for water, wastewater, utility, or sewer projects, and a metropolitan‑class city can use them to meet combined sewer overflow needs. PPP contracts may allow post‑award refinements beyond the original request for proposals.
New PPP bidding rules and fees
Local governments can accept unsolicited proposals but must open a window for competing proposals and need a two‑thirds vote to pick a delivery method. Agencies may charge up to $500 for the initial review and for each competing proposal. RFPs and unsolicited proposals must spell out agreement terms, roles, oversight and scoring, and financing and payment plans; any public funds still need later legislative appropriation. Selection committees must use set scoring percentages and keep records public, and each subdivision must adopt written policies for design‑build, CMAR, and PPPs. Agencies cannot accept unsolicited proposals for minor highway or bridge maintenance. The historic‑cost evaluation factor is removed for progressive design‑build bids.
New bicycle traffic signal rules
Bicyclists must follow new bicycle signal lights. The law explains what steady green, yellow, red, and arrow bicycle signals mean. Cyclists may proceed or must yield or stop as indicated. This improves safety and clarity for riders and drivers.
Your voice in rural road districts
You can file a written objection before the district hearing and give your reasons. At the hearing, anyone interested can speak about forming the district or the work planned. After the hearing, the county board may pass, change, or deny the plan and can change the boundaries. When a district will use special assessments, the county must appoint at least three residents from the district to advise on the project and financing.
Human trafficking training for commercial drivers
Starting January 1, 2027, commercial driver training courses that begin on or after that date must include at least 30 minutes on human trafficking. The Attorney General sets the curriculum by December 1, 2026 and reviews it at least every three years.
DOT process for private proposals
DOT procurement guidelines include steps to receive and evaluate unsolicited proposals. The Department may use its appropriated funds to review, develop, and implement such proposals. DOT may contract for a proposal it finds in the state’s best interest.
Changes to crash reporting and privacy
The property‑damage trigger for crash reports and related DMV actions is now $2,000. Age or year‑of‑birth listed in required accident reports can be disclosed, while other report confidentiality rules remain.
Wireless 911 fee and yearly review
You may pay up to $0.70 per active wireless line each month as a “Wireless 911 Surcharge.” It appears as its own line on your bill; prepaid wireless is not charged, and some assistance customers without monthly bills are not charged. Each year, the Public Service Commission holds a hearing to set how much the 911 fund needs and then sets the surcharge within the legal limit to support 911 centers.
Change, enlarge, or end a district
Owners of at least 25% of the area can petition to add territory to a district. Owners of at least 25% can petition to withdraw territory if special assessments exist; withdrawn areas still owe all obligations that existed when the petition was filed, but not new ones. Owners of at least 25% in each district can petition to consolidate districts when special assessments exist. Owners of at least 25% can also petition to dissolve a district with special assessments; the county pays debts and any leftover money goes to the county general fund.
Oversize loads: new limits and help
Oversize permits are only for loads that are truly indivisible and must travel by road; permits are not issued for county roads or city streets. No permit is needed to move cost‑saving construction or agricultural equipment during daylight for a reasonable distance on highways that are not dustless‑surfaced state highways when needed to reach the work site. The DOT must make certain permit applications available in each county treasurer’s office, and may place other permit forms in more locations.
Old transportation statutes repealed
The law repeals several listed transportation and related sections from Nebraska statutes. This removes those rules from the books and updates the legal code. The practical effects vary based on each section that was repealed.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Mike Moser
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 • 4/7/2026
Vote
Yes: 27 • No: 7 • Other: 15
legislature vote • 3/30/2026
Vote
Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 6
legislature vote • Unknown
Vote
Yes: 27 • No: 7 • Other: 15
Actions Timeline
Presented to Governor on April 10, 2026
4/17/2026legislatureApproved by Governor on April 14, 2026
4/14/2026legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
4/10/2026legislaturePassed on Final Reading 49-0-0
4/10/2026legislaturePlaced on Final Reading
4/7/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
4/7/2026legislatureMoser AM3074 adopted
4/7/2026legislatureMoser AM3074 filed
4/7/2026legislaturePlaced on Select File
3/31/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
3/30/2026legislaturePlaced on General File
3/26/2026legislatureDate of introduction
3/26/2026legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
3/26/2026
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted