# Nebraska LB311: Adopt the Telecommunications Exchange Deregulation Act, restrict actions of governmental actors relating to telecommunications, and change provisions relating to regulation of telecommunications Nebraska LB311, Adopt the Telecommunications Exchange Deregulation Act, restrict actions of governmental actors relating to telecommunications, and change provisions relating to regulation of telecommunications, is a 109th Legislature 1st and 2nd Sessions legislature bill sponsored by Wendy DeBoer; status signed, last action 2025-06-06 (Provisions/portions of LB666 amended into LB311 by AM1111) (as of 2026-10-19). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NE-LB311-109 - As of: 2026-10-19 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Nebraska LB311 - State: Nebraska - Session: 109th Legislature 1st and 2nd Sessions - Title: Adopt the Telecommunications Exchange Deregulation Act, restrict actions of governmental actors relating to telecommunications, and change provisions relating to regulation of telecommunications - Status: signed - Chamber: legislature - Introduced: 2025-01-15 - Last action: 2025-06-06, Provisions/portions of LB666 amended into LB311 by AM1111 - Sponsor: Wendy DeBoer - Cosponsors: 0 - Subjects: Transportation and Telecommunications Committee - Touches household money: no - Roll calls: 6 (264 yes, 0 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 9 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Tougher penalties for damaging networks: benefit, medium. It is a crime to willfully damage or interfere with telecom, broadband, communications, wireless, or utility lines or equipment. Willful interruptions or interference are punishable under the state penalties in section 28‑519. - More ride options for Medicaid trips: benefit, low. The PSC must consult Nebraska’s Medicaid Director when authorizing carriers to provide nonemergency medical rides paid by Medicaid. If a ride‑hail company or driver asks to take trips under a DHHS contract, the PSC must approve unless a protest proves existing carriers meet the need and the new ser… - When these changes take effect: benefit, low. Because the act declares an emergency, the law takes effect when it is passed and approved. Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 23, and 24 start three calendar months after the legislative session adjourns. Other parts start on their own effective dates. - Limits on local rules for internet: mixed, medium. The PSC cannot regulate IP‑enabled or VoIP services, including prices, contract terms, or market entry. The PSC still regulates carrier‑to‑carrier issues like wholesale rates and interconnection. The law treats broadband internet access as an IP‑enabled service using the federal definition in place… - New limits on local telecom fees: mixed, medium. Local telecom taxes and fees must be competitively neutral. Governments cannot demand in‑kind services as payment or to allow use of public highways. Highway construction permit fees must be equal for similar users, tied to actual costs, and charged close in time to when costs occur. The terms of g… - New rules to deregulate phone exchanges: mixed, medium. Only an electing local exchange carrier can ask to deregulate an exchange. The Public Service Commission (PSC) must issue a final order within 120 days and can charge a fee to cover review costs. The PSC can make rules, require needed carrier information (and keep trade secrets confidential), and d… - Service duties shift after broadband grants: mixed, medium. After a broadband grant makes final payment to a competitive provider in a project area and the PSC finds the provider complied, the PSC must, on request, relieve the incumbent of eligible‑carrier and last‑resort duties in that area. The PSC then decides how Nebraska Telecommunications Universal Se… - New proof rules for carrier permits: mixed, medium. In PSC hearings for a carrier certificate or permit, applicants must prove they can perform the service and that the public needs it. Protesters must prove current carriers meet the need and that a new provider would harm existing operations. - Outdated telecom laws are repealed: mixed, low. The law repeals sections 86‑111.01, 86‑704, 75‑342, 76‑2325.01, 86‑124, 86‑1505, 75‑109.01, 75‑311, and 75‑148. Agencies and companies must follow the updated framework set elsewhere in this act. ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Wendy DeBoer, Senate ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2025-05-14 | legislature | Final Reading | pass | 49 | 0 | | | 2025-04-29 | legislature | Vote | fail | 43 | 0 | 6 | | 2025-04-29 | legislature | Vote | fail | 43 | 0 | 6 | | 2025-04-29 | legislature | Vote | fail | 43 | 0 | 6 | | | legislature | Vote | fail | 43 | 0 | 6 | | | legislature | Vote | fail | 43 | 0 | 6 | ## Actions (25) - 2025-06-06: Provisions/portions of LB666 amended into LB311 by AM1111 (legislature) - 2025-06-06: Provisions/portions of LB347 amended into LB311 by AM1111 (legislature) - 2025-06-06: Provisions/portions of LB227 amended into LB311 by AM1111 (legislature) - 2025-06-06: Provisions/portions of LB191 amended into LB311 by AM1111 (legislature) - 2025-06-06: Provisions/portions of LB4 amended into LB311 by AM1111 (legislature) - 2025-05-20: Approved by Governor on May 20, 2025 (legislature) - 2025-05-14: Presented to Governor on May 14, 2025 (legislature) - 2025-05-14: President/Speaker signed (legislature) - 2025-05-14: Passed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 49-0-0 (legislature) - 2025-05-14: Dispensing of reading at large approved (legislature) - 2025-05-12: Placed on Final Reading (legislature) - 2025-05-08: Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment (legislature) - 2025-05-08: Enrollment and Review ER69 adopted (legislature) - 2025-05-06: Enrollment and Review ER69 filed (legislature) - 2025-05-06: Placed on Select File with ER69 (legislature) - 2025-04-29: Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial (legislature) - 2025-04-29: Transportation and Telecommunications AM1111 adopted (legislature) - 2025-04-29: DeBoer AM1189 adopted (legislature) - 2025-04-29: DeBoer AM1189 to AM1111 filed (legislature) - 2025-04-24: Transportation and Telecommunications AM1111 filed (legislature) - 2025-04-24: Placed on General File with AM1111 (legislature) - 2025-03-13: Transportation and Telecommunications priority bill (legislature) - 2025-01-31: Notice of hearing for February 11, 2025 (legislature) - 2025-01-17: Referred to Transportation and Telecommunications Committee (legislature) - 2025-01-15: Date of introduction (legislature) ## Bill text - Introduced, 2025-01-15: [PDF](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB311.pdf) - Enrolled / Slip Law: [PDF](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Slip/LB311.pdf) - Final / Enacted: [PDF](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Final/LB311.pdf) ## Related bills - LB468: Change provisions relating to inheritance taxes, change certain fee and tax provisions, and eliminate a sales tax exemption relating to data centers (failed) - LB13: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendment relating to child care (failed) - LB677: Change provisions of the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act and provide for regulation of medical cannabis (failed) - LB646: Provide an exemption from brand inspections and change fees under the Livestock Brand Act (failed) - LB170: Eliminate the sales tax exemptions for candy and soft drinks (failed) - LB714: Change provisions relating to motor vehicle taxes and fees (failed) ## Sources - [Introduced (PDF)](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB311.pdf) - [Enrolled / Slip Law (PDF)](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Slip/LB311.pdf) - [Final / Enacted (PDF)](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Final/LB311.pdf) ## Related - [LB468: Change provisions relating to inheritance taxes, change certain fee and tax pro…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NE-LB468-109) - [LB13: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendm…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NE-LB13-109) - [LB677: Change provisions of the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act and provide f…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NE-LB677-109) - [LB646: Provide an exemption from brand inspections and change fees under the Livestock…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NE-LB646-109) - [LB170: Eliminate the sales tax exemptions for candy and soft drinks](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NE-LB170-109) - [LB714: Change provisions relating to motor vehicle taxes and fees](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NE-LB714-109) - [Nebraska bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/nebraska/bills) - [Nebraska state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/nebraska) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NE-LB311-109 (as of 2026-10-19).