All Roll Calls
Yes: 163 • No: 0
NebraskaLB645A109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET
Appropriation Bill
Sponsored By: Beau Ballard
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Bigger survivor checks, new State Patrol pay rules
Starting July 1, 2027, many State Patrol survivors get 100% of the officer’s annuity, up from 75%. For officers who joined on or after July 1, 2016, final average pay uses the highest five years and excludes certain cash‑outs and pay spikes over 8%. A beneficiary (not an estate) may roll a qualifying lump‑sum death benefit directly to an eligible retirement plan. If a member dies while on qualified military service on or after January 1, 2007, the beneficiary is entitled to any added death benefit tied to that service.
New fund and payments for Class V pensions
The law creates a Service Annuity Fund for Class V school employees. Each year by July 1, the state pays what actuaries say is needed to cover normal costs and any unfunded service‑annuity liability. For years before July 1, 2025, the state also sends each Class V district an annual amount set in law. Beginning July 1, 2025, districts receive 2% of total member pay plus another statutory amount each year. When a pre‑July 1, 2016 hire retires, the board moves the annuity’s accrued liability to the district’s system instead of paying it directly. The act repeals and replaces older statute sections to align with these changes.
School worker pension deposits change in 2025
Through June 30, 2025, employees pay 9.78% of pay. Starting July 1, 2025, your deposit depends on the fund’s health: 9.75%, 8.75%, 8.00%, or 7.25%. Employers must deposit 101% of required employee contributions at the same time. Employers pick up member contributions under tax rules, so these amounts are treated as employer contributions and not taxed until paid out.
State support for school pensions varies
From July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2025, the state deposits 2% of total member pay into the School Retirement Fund each year. Beginning July 1, 2025, the yearly state payment depends on the funded ratio: 2% if under 96%, 0.7% if 96% to under 100%, and $0 at 100% or more. The retirement board certifies the amount each July 1 and the State Treasurer transfers the money.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Beau Ballard
legislature
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 38 • No: 0 • Other: 11
legislature vote • 4/30/2025
Final Reading
Yes: 47 • No: 0 • Other: 2
legislature vote • 4/28/2025
Vote
Yes: 38 • No: 0 • Other: 11
legislature vote • 4/24/2025
Vote
Yes: 40 • No: 0 • Other: 9
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor on May 6, 2025
5/6/2025legislaturePassed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 47-0-2
4/30/2025legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
4/30/2025legislaturePresented to Governor on April 30, 2025
4/30/2025legislaturePlaced on Select File
4/28/2025legislatureBallard AM1197 filed
4/28/2025legislatureBallard AM1197 adopted
4/28/2025legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
4/28/2025legislaturePlaced on Final Reading
4/28/2025legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
4/24/2025legislatureDate of introduction
4/23/2025legislaturePlaced on General File
4/23/2025legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
5/6/2025
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted