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NebraskaLB784109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET

Change residency requirements for sheriffs in certain counties, requirements for uniforms for sheriffs and deputies, and continuing education requirements for law enforcement officers

Sponsored By: Bob Hallstrom

Signed by Governor

Judiciary Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.

Sheriffs must be certified or face fines

Candidates and appointed sheriffs must already have a state law enforcement certificate or diploma and file a proof letter. A new sheriff must complete the Sheriff Certification Course and get the commission certificate within 8 months, unless already certified or prior training is accepted. After the first year in office, a sheriff must take yearly continuing education. Each month a sheriff does not meet these rules can trigger a fine equal to the sheriff’s monthly salary, unless the council grants a waiver or there is good cause. Sheriffs in office before July 19, 1980, do not have to obtain the certification.

Yearly training hours for all officers

Certified law enforcement officers must complete yearly training. Agencies with fewer than 25 full-time officers require 24 hours each year. Agencies with 25 or more full-time officers require 32 hours each year. Training must include de-escalation, at least 2 hours of anti-bias/implicit bias, firearms, officer wellness, legal updates, and pursuit policy review. At least once every three years, officers must take mental health and substance abuse refreshers and a pursuit policy review; those hours count toward the yearly total. No hours are required in the year an officer first becomes fully certified or retires in good standing. Noncertified conditional officers are not covered.

Sheriff residency rules change in some counties

In counties with no city of the metropolitan, primary, or first class, a sheriff does not need to live in the county when filing to run. While in office there, the sheriff may live in the county or an adjoining county. In all other counties, a sheriff must live in the county they serve.

Uniform and badge rules for sheriffs and deputies

Sheriffs and deputies on duty must wear a uniform the sheriff approves that is distinct from other Nebraska police uniforms. Uniforms may be Class A (dress), Class B (patrol), or honor guard with set options. The badge must be a seven-point star with the state seal, rank, and county. The sheriff may waive wearing the uniform for special investigations or mental health duties. Special deputies do not have to follow these rules. A Sheriffs’ Association committee helps set specifications.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bob Hallstrom

    Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 228 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/9/2026

Final Reading

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

legislature vote • 3/23/2026

Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0 • Other: 10

legislature vote • 3/17/2026

Vote

Yes: 34 • No: 0 • Other: 15

legislature vote • 3/17/2026

Vote

Yes: 34 • No: 0 • Other: 15

legislature vote • Unknown

Vote

Yes: 34 • No: 0 • Other: 15

legislature vote • Unknown

Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0 • Other: 10

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor on April 14, 2026

    4/14/2026legislature

  2. Presented to Governor on April 10, 2026

    4/10/2026legislature

  3. President/Speaker signed

    4/10/2026legislature

  4. Passed on Final Reading 48-0-1

    4/9/2026legislature

  5. Dispensing of reading at large approved

    4/9/2026legislature

  6. Placed on Final Reading

    3/30/2026legislature

  7. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

    3/23/2026legislature

  8. Hallstrom AM2682 adopted

    3/23/2026legislature

  9. Kauth FA413 withdrawn

    3/23/2026legislature

  10. Enrollment and Review ER152 adopted

    3/23/2026legislature

  11. Enrollment and Review ER152 filed

    3/20/2026legislature

  12. Placed on Select File with ER152

    3/20/2026legislature

  13. Hallstrom AM2682 filed

    3/18/2026legislature

  14. Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

    3/17/2026legislature

  15. Judiciary AM2236 adopted

    3/17/2026legislature

  16. Judiciary AM2236 filed

    2/25/2026legislature

  17. Placed on General File with AM2236

    2/25/2026legislature

  18. Notice of hearing for February 11, 2026

    2/3/2026legislature

  19. Referred to Judiciary Committee

    1/9/2026legislature

  20. Kauth FA413 filed

    1/8/2026legislature

  21. Date of introduction

    1/7/2026legislature

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    1/7/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Slip Law

    PDF

  • Final / Enacted

    PDF

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