All Roll Calls
Yes: 171 • No: 0
NebraskaLB905109th Legislature 1st and 2nd Sessionslegislature
Change and eliminate provisions relating to boards, commissions, committees, task forces, and funds that terminate
Sponsored By: John Arch
Signed by Governor
Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
15 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 2 costs, 5 mixed.
Standard pay tiers for foster care
The state adds more foster care pay tiers for specialized caregiving. Foster parents and agencies get standardized rates for high‑acuity youth. The Children’s Commission must review foster care rates, the level‑of‑care tool, and adoption assistance. Reviews use cost data, geographic differences, and Title IV‑E rules and send electronic recommendations every four years.
NEMA runs chemical reporting and planning
NEMA now runs the state’s emergency planning and right‑to‑know program. NEMA appoints local planning committees, sets districts, and manages a cash fund that can spend no more than 15% on administration. Facilities must tell NEMA within 60 days when an extremely hazardous substance first exceeds planning thresholds. NEMA also handles annual Tier II chemical inventory filings and public requests, following timelines such as 45‑day responses.
Mental health council adds consumer voice
A 23‑member advisory committee guides state mental health and substance use services. Twelve seats are for people who use services or their family members. The council serves as the state planning council, meets regularly, and advises on peer support and how consumers and families are involved.
New youth placement reviews and networks
A new committee reviews out‑of‑home youth placements and mental and behavioral health services and reports each year by September 1. The Children’s Commission helps build service networks in every area so local partners can coordinate help for kids, even outside the child‑protection system. The Commission must also work with counties on the Crossover Youth Program. It will study case manager pay, incentives, and training and give recommendations to lawmakers.
Statewide peer support for responders
The state health department leads a program that trains hospital and emergency workers to support peers after traumatic events. The department hires a program director and a statewide clinical director, sets goals, and ensures quality. It recruits and trains peer teams, organizes regions, and provides backup when needed.
More grants for recycling and tires
The state offers up to $1,500,000 each year through June 30, 2029 for new scrap‑tire projects. Reimbursements include up to 50% for crumb rubber, up to 25% for tire‑derived products, and up to 50% or $500,000 for capital and start‑up costs. Cost‑sharing is generally up to $20 per ton or $250,000 per person each year, with preference for Nebraska‑generated tires. Local governments can get up to 100% back for scrap‑tire cleanups. Small towns (5,000 people or fewer) can get deconstruction grants tied to recycling recovered materials. The fund may cover the department’s battery‑recycling program administration in FY 2025‑26 and 2026‑27.
Less bridge money; board expense changes
The law removes two transfers of $4 million each (due by June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2025) for county bridge work. DOT may use the Highway Cash Fund and Roads Operations Cash Fund to pay expenses of the Board of Public Roads Classifications and Standards. A separate rule that let DOT pay another board’s expenses from the Highway Cash Fund is removed.
Faster process for water rule exceptions
The state director, not an advisory council, can grant variances or exemptions to drinking water rules. Any exception must meet federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards, include public notice, and allow a hearing on request. Every exception must include testing and a schedule to fix the issue.
More trafficking training and signs; task force ends
The state creates multilingual human‑trafficking posters with the hotline (888‑373‑7888) and posts them in rest stops, strip clubs, and casinos. It works with schools, hotels, hospitals, and transit hubs to add signs. Police, courts, and justice staff must get trafficking training that focuses on finding and protecting victims. The statute‑based trafficking task force is eliminated.
State IT planning shifts; panel ends
The technical panel that reviewed statewide IT standards and projects is ended. The IT commission sets the reporting format for agency IT plans, analyzes those plans in the statewide plan, and state IT and communications staff must assist when asked. The act also repeals listed statutes tied to these changes.
Children’s Commission leads key committees
The Nebraska Children’s Commission now oversees the Foster Care Reimbursement Rate Committee, the Nebraska Strengthening Families Act Committee, and the Bridge to Independence advisory work. The Commission must file an annual report by September 1 on bridge‑to‑independence implementation and outcomes. This centralizes child‑welfare advice and oversight.
State centralizes buildings, land, and planning
The state centralizes how vacant buildings and excess land are listed, maintained, and sold or leased. Agencies report properties each September 15, and the state can sell or lease after appraisal and public notice, giving priority to local governments and then long‑term affordable housing partners. Sale proceeds go to a cash fund that pays upkeep and disposal costs and can be invested or moved to the General Fund. Only local governments or their contractors can get utility easements on state land for utility or construction needs. The state must also file a six‑year capital facilities plan by November 15 before each biennium. One property (43.55 acres) is directed for donation to a community college tech park, with any resale within 10 years sending proceeds to the General Fund.
Potato inspections shift; new fee power
The Agriculture Director can set potato inspection fees to cover inspector pay, travel, certificates, and administration. Growers can start or end compulsory inspections by petition signed by growers with at least 51% of commercial acreage, after a noticed hearing. The Nebraska Potato Development Committee is removed from law and from the ethics definition of a commodity board.
Screening funds focus on care; immunity ends
Money in the Breast and Cervical Cancer Fund pays for early detection program costs. Fund dollars no longer pay advisory committee members’ expenses. Advisory committee members also no longer have legal immunity for screening errors. The state and health department staff keep existing legal protections.
Career school fee-setting process changes
Before July 1, 2026, the Board no longer has to consult its advisory council before raising fees under the private career school law. The Board can still set fees only to cover administration, up to 110% of the prior year’s cost.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
John Arch
Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/10/2026
Final Reading
Yes: 49 • No: 0
legislature vote • 3/23/2026
Vote
Yes: 38 • No: 0 • Other: 11
legislature vote • 3/23/2026
Vote
Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 7
legislature vote • Unknown
Vote
Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 7
Actions Timeline
Presented to Governor on April 10, 2026
4/17/2026legislatureApproved by Governor on April 14, 2026
4/14/2026legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
4/10/2026legislaturePassed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 49-0-0
4/10/2026legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
4/10/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ST89 recorded
4/7/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ST89 filed
4/7/2026legislaturePlaced on Final Reading with ST89
4/7/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
4/1/2026legislatureKauth FA545 withdrawn
4/1/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER162 adopted
4/1/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER162 filed
3/30/2026legislaturePlaced on Select File with ER162
3/30/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
3/23/2026legislatureArch AM2149 adopted
3/23/2026legislatureSpeaker priority bill
2/20/2026legislatureArch AM2149 filed
2/18/2026legislaturePlaced on General File
2/12/2026legislatureNotice of hearing for February 06, 2026
1/28/2026legislatureReferred to Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee
1/12/2026legislatureKauth FA545 filed
1/9/2026legislatureDate of introduction
1/8/2026legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
1/8/2026
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted
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