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NebraskaLB784109th Legislature 1st and 2nd Sessionslegislature

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: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.

Sheriff uniforms and state purchasing

Sheriffs and deputies on duty must wear a distinctive, sheriff‑approved uniform and the badge of office. The sheriff may allow no uniform or badge during special investigations or mental health assignments, and special deputies are excluded. The law sets components for Class A, Class B, and honor guard uniforms. Uniforms must be bought from vendors under state contracts, with a sheriffs’ association committee helping the state set specs and materials.

Sheriffs face strict training and fines

Each sheriff must finish the Sheriff’s Certification Course and get the state certificate within eight months of taking office. This is not required if the sheriff already has the certificate, the council says past training is enough, or the sheriff was in office before July 1980. After the first year in office, sheriffs must complete yearly continuing education. If a sheriff misses the course or yearly hours and the council does not excuse it, the fine is the sheriff’s monthly salary for each month missed. Each month of noncompliance is a separate offense.

Yearly training hours for officers

Certified law enforcement officers must take yearly continuing education. Hours were 20 before 2022, 28 in 2022, and 32 each year starting in 2023. Officers do not need the hours in the year they first become fully certified, if they are noncertified conditional officers, or in the year they retire. If your agency has fewer than 25 full‑time officers, you must complete at least 24 hours each year.

Sheriff residency, appointment, and pay rules

Candidates for sheriff must have a state law enforcement certificate and file the director’s letter with their papers. Candidates do not have to live in the county when filing. A serving sheriff must live in the county; in counties without a metropolitan, primary, or first‑class city, they may live in an adjoining county. If no sheriff is elected or a vacancy occurs, the county board may appoint a qualified officer from any Nebraska county. The appointment must be by contract that sets pay and terms, and that pay is not limited by the usual county salary statutes. An appointed sheriff under this process may serve more than one county.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bob Hallstrom

    legislature

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 228 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/24/2026

Vote

Yes: 34 • No: 0 • Other: 15

legislature vote • 4/24/2026

Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0 • Other: 10

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

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor on April 14, 2026

    4/17/2026legislature

  2. President/Speaker signed

    4/10/2026legislature

  3. Presented to Governor on April 10, 2026

    4/10/2026legislature

  4. Dispensing of reading at large approved

    4/9/2026legislature

  5. Passed on Final Reading 48-0-1

    4/9/2026legislature

  6. Placed on Final Reading

    3/30/2026legislature

  7. Enrollment and Review ER152 adopted

    3/23/2026legislature

  8. Kauth FA413 withdrawn

    3/23/2026legislature

  9. Hallstrom AM2682 adopted

    3/23/2026legislature

  10. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

    3/23/2026legislature

  11. Placed on Select File with ER152

    3/20/2026legislature

  12. Enrollment and Review ER152 filed

    3/20/2026legislature

  13. Hallstrom AM2682 filed

    3/18/2026legislature

  14. Judiciary AM2236 adopted

    3/17/2026legislature

  15. Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

    3/17/2026legislature

  16. Placed on General File with AM2236

    2/25/2026legislature

  17. Judiciary AM2236 filed

    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

    4/17/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Slip Law

    PDF

  • Final / Enacted

    PDF

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