All Roll Calls
Yes: 240 • No: 0
NebraskaLB985109th Legislature 1st and 2nd Sessionslegislature
Change provisions relating to guardians and conservators
Sponsored By: Wendy DeBoer
Signed by Governor
Judiciary Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Caps on individual guardians and conservators
An individual cannot accept a new permanent guardianship or conservatorship if they already serve as a permanent guardian or conservator for 20 or more people. Temporary appointments do not count toward the 20. This limit applies when you accept a new appointment. Companies that act as conservators are not subject to the 20-case cap.
Protected persons can attend court hearings
If you are alleged to be incapacitated, you can attend your guardianship hearing in person or by video and see and hear all evidence. In conservatorship and protective order cases, minors and people to be protected can attend each hearing in person or by video. A guardian must make reasonable efforts to help the person attend their hearings.
Court may shift legal costs
In guardianship or conservatorship cases, the court may order costs and reasonable attorney fees to be paid to any party. The court can make another party pay or allow payment from the trust involved in the case.
More guardian check-ins and paperwork
A guardian must check on the person at least four times a year. Visits can be in person or by video if the guardian can assess care. The guardian must keep a written note for each visit and show the court any failed contact attempts; the court can change or waive these rules. If no conservator for the estate is appointed, the guardian must file a full inventory within 30 days, mail copies to the ward (if found and age 14+) and interested persons, and file a certificate with a return form about future notices. Yearly updated inventories are required when the guardian controls the estate.
Standby guardian rules and training
The court can name one or more standby guardians to step in if the original guardian dies, resigns, is removed, or cannot act. A standby guardian has the same powers, must notify the court when they take office, and will get new letters showing the appointment is permanent. They must complete required training and receive copies of the orders. The Public Guardian cannot be a standby guardian.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Wendy DeBoer
Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/9/2026
Final Reading
Yes: 49 • No: 0
legislature vote • 3/4/2026
Vote
Yes: 39 • No: 0 • Other: 10
legislature vote • 3/4/2026
Vote
Yes: 39 • No: 0 • Other: 10
legislature vote • 3/4/2026
Vote
Yes: 37 • No: 0 • Other: 12
legislature vote • Unknown
Vote
Yes: 37 • No: 0 • Other: 12
legislature vote • Unknown
Vote
Yes: 39 • No: 0 • Other: 10
Actions Timeline
Provisions/portions of LB1178 amended into LB985 by AM2117
4/17/2026legislatureApproved by Governor on April 14, 2026
4/14/2026legislaturePresented to Governor on April 9, 2026
4/9/2026legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
4/9/2026legislaturePassed on Final Reading 49-0-0
4/9/2026legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
4/9/2026legislaturePlaced on Final Reading
3/17/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
3/12/2026legislatureKauth FA641 withdrawn
3/12/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER137 adopted
3/12/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER137 filed
3/10/2026legislaturePlaced on Select File with ER137
3/10/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
3/4/2026legislatureJudiciary AM2117 adopted
3/4/2026legislatureDeBoer AM2424 adopted
3/4/2026legislatureDeBoer AM2424 to AM2117 filed
3/3/2026legislatureSpeaker priority bill
2/20/2026legislatureJudiciary AM2117 filed
2/19/2026legislaturePlaced on General File with AM2117
2/19/2026legislatureNotice of hearing for January 29, 2026
1/22/2026legislatureReferred to Judiciary Committee
1/14/2026legislatureKauth FA641 filed
1/13/2026legislatureDate of introduction
1/12/2026legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
1/12/2026
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted
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