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NebraskaLB608109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET

Change insurance provisions relating to firefighters and include correctional officers, youth detention officers, certain disabled persons, and their children in the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act

Sponsored By: Eliot Bostar

Signed by Governor

Revenue Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Free in-state tuition for responders and kids

Eligible first responders and certain disabled former responders get 100% of remaining resident tuition waived for an associate or bachelor’s degree at Nebraska state universities, state colleges, or community colleges. Qualifying children of these responders can also get a waiver. Both tracks last up to five consecutive years from the first use. You must meet school admission rules and job standards. Law enforcement officers need a valid certificate with no revocation. You must submit a superior officer’s verification when you first apply. First responders and eligible disabled persons must file yearly proof of Nebraska residence and status with the Department of Revenue. Qualifying children must file yearly proof that their parent is employed as a first responder (or is an eligible disabled person) and lives in Nebraska.

Residency and paperwork rules for waivers

A qualifying child who uses a tuition waiver must live in Nebraska for five years after using it and file a Nebraska tax return each year to prove residency. If the child does not file or leaves Nebraska, the school can require repayment of the waived tuition. These duties end if the child becomes totally and permanently disabled or dies. Schools must send a written decision within 45 days after a completed application, and list reasons for any denial. Colleges must run the program and report by December 31 each year which qualifying children used waivers. The Department of Revenue runs and enforces the program, keeps records, and by August 1 tells schools which recipients did not file a Nebraska return for the prior year.

New tuition help for corrections and youth officers

The law now treats correctional officers and youth detention officers, certain disabled former officers, and their children as eligible for the First Responder tuition waivers. Their waivers start July 1, 2027, and at first they can use them only at a state university. Starting July 1, 2028, the state reimburses universities for 50% of last year’s waivers for these groups if money is appropriated. If funds are short, the state prorates those payments.

Stronger health insurance protection for firefighters

More full‑time career firefighters are now covered by the rule that stops employers from canceling health insurance after a serious line‑of‑duty injury or death. The protection now includes paid departments that provide fire protection to federal military bases.

Old first responder statutes repealed

The law removes older state law sections that the new First Responder rules replace. This updates and consolidates the legal text and does not add new money or benefits by itself.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Eliot Bostar

    Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 248 • No: 99

legislature vote • 5/30/2025

Final Reading

Yes: 36 • No: 12

legislature vote • 5/8/2025

Vote

Yes: 29 • No: 5 • Other: 15

legislature vote • 5/8/2025

Vote

Yes: 0 • No: 41 • Other: 8

legislature vote • 5/8/2025

Vote

Yes: 41 • No: 0 • Other: 8

legislature vote • 4/24/2025

Vote

Yes: 35 • No: 0 • Other: 14

legislature vote • 4/24/2025

Vote

Yes: 33 • No: 0 • Other: 16

legislature vote • Unknown

Vote

Yes: 33 • No: 0 • Other: 16

legislature vote • Unknown

Vote

Yes: 0 • No: 41 • Other: 8

legislature vote • Unknown

Vote

Yes: 41 • No: 0 • Other: 8

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor on June 4, 2025

    6/4/2025legislature

  2. Presented to Governor on May 30, 2025

    5/30/2025legislature

  3. President/Speaker signed

    5/30/2025legislature

  4. Passed on Final Reading 36-12*-1

    5/30/2025legislature

  5. Dispensing of reading at large approved

    5/30/2025legislature

  6. Cavanaugh, M. FA194 withdrawn

    5/30/2025legislature

  7. Cavanaugh, M. FA193 withdrawn

    5/30/2025legislature

  8. Placed on Final Reading

    5/12/2025legislature

  9. Cavanaugh, M. FA194 filed

    5/8/2025legislature

  10. Cavanaugh, M. FA193 filed

    5/8/2025legislature

  11. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

    5/8/2025legislature

  12. Hallstrom AM1356 withdrawn

    5/8/2025legislature

  13. Hallstrom AM1356 filed

    5/8/2025legislature

  14. Wordekemper AM1129 withdrawn

    5/8/2025legislature

  15. Cavanaugh, J. FA192 withdrawn

    5/8/2025legislature

  16. Cavanaugh, J. MO236 withdrawn

    5/8/2025legislature

  17. Cavanaugh, J. MO236 Reconsider the vote taken on MO234 filed

    5/8/2025legislature

  18. Cavanaugh, J. MO234 failed

    5/8/2025legislature

  19. Cavanaugh, J. MO234 Bracket until June 9, 2025 filed

    5/8/2025legislature

  20. Cavanaugh, J. FA192 to AM1129 filed

    5/8/2025legislature

  21. Motion to overrule Chair prevailed

    5/8/2025legislature

  22. Motion to overrule Chair pending

    5/8/2025legislature

  23. Chair ruled AM1129 not germane

    5/8/2025legislature

  24. Wordekemper AM1129 filed

    5/8/2025legislature

  25. Bostar AM1347 adopted

    5/8/2025legislature

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    1/22/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Slip Law

    PDF

  • Final / Enacted

    PDF

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