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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

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

State sets up medical cannabis commission

Nebraska creates a Medical Cannabis Commission to run and enforce the program. The commission can set application and renewal fees by rule, but no single fee can be over $50,000. Initial applicants must submit fingerprints for a national background check and pay the Nebraska State Patrol’s fee. A cash fund supports administration and enforcement, using legislative transfers and fees, gifts, and grants. Commissioners receive $12,500 per year. The law also repeals two older cannabis sections to fit the new framework.

Tighter liquor license checks and definitions

When you apply for a liquor license, the state now checks whether you or any affiliated licensed business owe federal, state, or local taxes. The law also broadens what counts as a bottle club to include any place that charges a fee to let people drink their own alcohol on site. The state repeals some older liquor code sections to align with these updates.

Stronger penalties for unlicensed alcohol sales

Operating or selling alcohol without a license faces tougher penalties. Many unlicensed acts are a Class IV misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class II misdemeanor for repeats. Making spirits or selling at retail without a license is a Class I misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class IV felony for later offenses. Each day of illegal operation counts as a separate offense. Not showing a license on demand counts as proof you are unlicensed.

New entertainment districts for on-site drinking

Cities and villages can create entertainment districts with shared commons areas. Licensed bars, breweries, distilleries, and manufacturers can get an entertainment district license to sell drinks for on-site use there. Businesses in marked areas without a liquor license can apply for a consumption-only license after local approval and may let customers bring in drinks bought in the district. You pay $300 each year per entertainment district license and $25 to apply for a consumption-only license. Drinks for the commons must be in containers showing the seller’s name or logo. Drinking is allowed only during legal on‑premise hours and when food is available. Drinks cannot leave the commons or licensed premises, and open containers are banned on streets except to cross at a crosswalk.

Local liquor occupation tax rules and caps

Local governments may charge an occupation tax on entertainment district businesses. The tax must follow state rules and cannot be more than two times the state license fee. Class J retail licensees are exempt from this occupation tax.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • General Affairs Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 248 • No: 2

legislature vote • 4/24/2026

Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0 • Other: 9

legislature vote • 4/24/2026

Vote

Yes: 41 • No: 0 • Other: 8

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

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor on April 7, 2026

    4/7/2026legislature

  2. Dispensing of reading at large approved

    4/1/2026legislature

  3. Passed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 46-2*-1

    4/1/2026legislature

  4. President/Speaker signed

    4/1/2026legislature

  5. Presented to Governor on April 1, 2026

    4/1/2026legislature

  6. Placed on Final Reading

    3/17/2026legislature

  7. Enrollment and Review ER136 adopted

    3/12/2026legislature

  8. Kauth FA895 withdrawn

    3/12/2026legislature

  9. Holdcroft AM2524 adopted

    3/12/2026legislature

  10. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

    3/12/2026legislature

  11. Placed on Select File with ER136

    3/10/2026legislature

  12. Enrollment and Review ER136 filed

    3/10/2026legislature

  13. Holdcroft AM2524 filed

    3/9/2026legislature

  14. Clouse AM2354 withdrawn

    3/4/2026legislature

  15. General Affairs AM2178 adopted

    3/4/2026legislature

  16. Holdcroft AM1889 withdrawn

    3/4/2026legislature

  17. Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

    3/4/2026legislature

  18. Clouse AM2354 to AM2178 filed

    3/3/2026legislature

  19. Placed on General File with AM2178

    2/20/2026legislature

  20. General Affairs AM2178 filed

    2/20/2026legislature

  21. General Affairs priority bill

    2/18/2026legislature

  22. Holdcroft AM1889 filed

    1/30/2026legislature

  23. Notice of hearing for February 02, 2026

    1/26/2026legislature

  24. Referred to General Affairs Committee

    1/23/2026legislature

  25. Kauth FA895 filed

    1/22/2026legislature

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    4/7/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Slip Law

    PDF

  • Final / Enacted

    PDF

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