All Roll Calls
Yes: 248 • No: 2
NebraskaLB1235109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET
Change provisions of the Nebraska Liquor Control Act and the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act
Sponsored By: General Affairs Committee
Signed by Governor
General Affairs Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Stronger penalties for unlicensed alcohol sales
Penalties are tougher for selling, distributing, or importing alcohol without the right license. Unlicensed importation for distribution or non-retail distribution/sale is a Class IV misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class II misdemeanor for later offenses. Making spirits without a license or selling at retail without a license is a Class I misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class IV felony after that.
Tax debt now counts for liquor licenses
When the state decides on retail, bottle club, craft brewery, or microdistillery licenses, it must check tax debt. It looks at whether you or any affiliated entity owe federal, state, or local taxes. An affiliated entity is another business you own in part that also holds a liquor license. Being behind on taxes can hurt or block your license.
Medical cannabis commission, fees, and checks
The law creates a Medical Cannabis Commission with 3 to 5 members. The three Liquor Control Commissioners serve automatically, and the Governor may add up to two members for six-year terms with legislative approval. Each commission member is paid $12,500 per year. The commission sets application, registration, and renewal fees by rule, but no single fee can be more than $50,000. New applicants must submit two fingerprint sets through the Nebraska State Patrol, pay the record-check fee, and allow the commission to see the results. Fees, gifts, and grants go into a cash fund the commission uses to run and enforce the program; unused money may be invested.
New entertainment-district licenses and rules
Local governments can set “consumption-only” areas inside an entertainment district. A business must get local approval before applying to the state. The application costs $25 and the state sends that money to a commission fund. Consumption-only sites can let patrons bring in and take out alcohol bought in the district, but they cannot sell or serve it. Drinking in commons or consumption-only areas is only during legal hours and while food is available in the commons or from at least one district licensee. Drinks for the commons must be in cups showing the seller’s name or logo.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
General Affairs Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/1/2026
Final Reading
Yes: 46 • No: 2
legislature vote • 3/12/2026
Vote
Yes: 41 • No: 0 • Other: 8
legislature vote • 3/4/2026
Vote
Yes: 40 • No: 0 • Other: 9
legislature vote • 3/4/2026
Vote
Yes: 40 • No: 0 • Other: 9
legislature vote • Unknown
Vote
Yes: 40 • No: 0 • Other: 9
legislature vote • Unknown
Vote
Yes: 41 • No: 0 • Other: 8
Actions Timeline
Provisions/portions of LB1128 amended into LB1235 by AM2178
4/17/2026legislatureProvisions/portions of LB1085 amended into LB1235 by AM2178
4/17/2026legislatureApproved by Governor on April 7, 2026
4/7/2026legislaturePresented to Governor on April 1, 2026
4/1/2026legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
4/1/2026legislaturePassed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 46-2*-1
4/1/2026legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
4/1/2026legislaturePlaced on Final Reading
3/17/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
3/12/2026legislatureHoldcroft AM2524 adopted
3/12/2026legislatureKauth FA895 withdrawn
3/12/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER136 adopted
3/12/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER136 filed
3/10/2026legislaturePlaced on Select File with ER136
3/10/2026legislatureHoldcroft AM2524 filed
3/9/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
3/4/2026legislatureHoldcroft AM1889 withdrawn
3/4/2026legislatureGeneral Affairs AM2178 adopted
3/4/2026legislatureClouse AM2354 withdrawn
3/4/2026legislatureClouse AM2354 to AM2178 filed
3/3/2026legislatureGeneral Affairs AM2178 filed
2/20/2026legislaturePlaced on General File with AM2178
2/20/2026legislatureGeneral Affairs priority bill
2/18/2026legislatureHoldcroft AM1889 filed
1/30/2026legislatureNotice of hearing for February 02, 2026
1/26/2026legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
1/21/2026
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted
Related Bills
LB1261A, Appropriation Bill
LB1236, Change provisions relating to publication, printing, and distribution of legislative journals, session laws, and statutes and publication of the Constitution of Nebraska
LB1212, Provide for licensure of internationally trained physicians under the Uniform Credentialing Act and change provisions of the Engineers and Architects Regulation Act
LB1187, Change provisions of the Livestock Brand Act
LB1209, Provide and change appropriations for purposes of carrying out legislation and change provisions relating to appropriations and a transfer of funds
LB1135, Adopt the Service Contract Reporting Act, authorize municipalities to contract regarding parking facilities, change provisions of the Community Development Law, the Nebraska Municipal Land Bank Act, and the Property Assessed Clean Energy Act, and provide for the sale of certain waterworks, sewer systems, and water systems to Indian tribes