Bills, Bills, and MORE Bills!

Today was the third day of bill introductions! We have 30 new bills introduced and 2 Constitutional Amendments! Again, we’ve highlighted some, and you can view the whole list here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/calendar/legislation.php?day=2025-01-13


LB133 – Provide authority for animal control officers to enforce state or local animal control laws
Introducer: Holdcroft – rholdcroft@leg.ne.gov

View Bill text here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB133.pdf

The lack of enforcement for animal abuse and neglect is often talked about. LB133 aims to add the support needed to likely address this issue. We’ll be interested in seeing what the support and opposition to this look like.


LB135 – Provide, change, and eliminate provisions relating to elections for certain purposes related to bonds and tax levies
Introducer: Holdcroft – rholdcroft@leg.ne.gov

View Bill text here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB135.pdf

LB135 provides the process for a school district election called to approve the issuance of bonds, approve a property tax levy or levy increase, or approve exceeding a property tax levy limitation by a school district.

LB137 – Prohibit certain restrictions on solar energy devices and pollinator gardens and provide a cause of action
Introducer: Dungan – gdungan@leg.ne.gov

View Bill text here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB137.pdf

We could get behind this one. LB137 would prevent HOAs from stopping homeowners from having solar power panels installed or having a pollinator garden.

LB140 – Require school policies relating to the use of electronic communication devices by students
Introducer: Sanders – rsanders@leg.ne.gov
Introduced By: Sanders At the request of the Governor

View Bill text here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB140.pdf

This is another fantastic bill from Senator Sanders! There was also a press conference with the governor for this and other legislation aiming to protect children from AI technology and disruption. LB140 would require school districts across the state to form a policy and plan to enforce NO PHONES during the school day.

LB147 – Change provisions relating to approval and regulation of adding fluoride to the water supply of certain political subdivisions
Introducer: Hansen – bhansen@leg.ne.gov

View Bill text here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB147.pdf

We’re so very glad to see Senator Hansen introducing this legislation again this year. Fluoride is a neurotoxin and should be removed from our public waters. States across the country are banning fluoride in their waters. Recently, Florida reached 36 of their 67 counties that are now  fluoride free! We hope to see plenty of support for LB147!


LB155 – Allow the use of deadly force without retreating when lawfully present in a motor vehicle
Introducer: Hardin – bhardin@leg.ne.gov

View Bill text here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB155.pdf

Senator Hardin is on a roll! LB155 states, “Neither the actor nor the person whom the actor seeks to protect is obliged to retreat when lawfully present in the other’s motor vehicle to any greater extent than his or her own.”
This is a much needed expansion to Stand Your Ground laws in Nebraska, and we look forward to supporting this legislation!


LB163 – Create the Office of Climate Action
Introducer: Spivey – ASpivey@leg.ne.gov

View Bill text here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB163.pdf

This is Senator Spivey’s first year, and with legislation like this, hopefully, she’s only here for one term. We’ll want to be certain to oppose this legislation and redirect their attention to the current NE statute that allows for the application of weather modification. §2-3237.


LB165 – Authorize syringe services programs in municipalities and counties and provide exceptions to penalties related to drug paraphernalia under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act
Introducer: Hunt – mhunt@leg.ne.gov

View Bill text here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB165.pdf

Here we go again! We MUST strongly oppose this legislation. In the last session, the legislation passed due to support from the Douglas County Sheriff and flawed studies and reports. Fortunately, our governor had the good sense to veto this legislation. We will be sure to provide detailed information and rebuttals to share with our senators when the time comes!


LB169 – Eliminate certain sales and use tax exemptions and impose sales and use tax on certain services
Introducer: Brandt – tbrandt@leg.ne.gov

View Bill text here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB169.pdf

Adds an exemption for specialty services and veterinary services performed on livestock as defined in section 54-183 and eliminates exemption for grooming.
Eliminates exemption for:
telefloral deliveries
film rentals
fine art purchases by a museum
cleaning and repair of clothing

Changes to the cutting of hair and eliminates personal care services

Eliminates exemption for:
pet-related services
taxi, limousine, and other transportation services
Eliminates conference bridging services and adds interstate telecommunications services and interstate telegraphservices

Then he has a slew of gross income taxes! View the bill text to see them all. LB169 encompasses the list of tax exemptions Senator Wayne began during the Special Session last summer. We’re glad to see Senator Brandt giving it a shot! It will be very telling which lobbyists are working hard and get their way when and if we see their items are removed.


LB170 – Eliminate the sales tax exemptions for candy and soft drinks
Introducer: Brandt – tbrandt@leg.ne.gov

View Bill text here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB170.pdf

Next up! More tax exemptions were removed – this time for pop and candy! We’re just gonna throw it out there, any Senator that doesn’t support this legislation never gets to claim they “care about our health.”


LB171 – Change provisions relating to individual and corporate income tax rates
Introducer: Brandt – tbrandt@leg.ne.gov

View Bill text here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB171.pdf

Lessens the decrease in income tax from 4.55% to 4.99% in 2026 and eliminates the income tax decrease in 2027.
To LB171, we say no thanks!


LB172 – Prohibit conduct involving computer-generated child pornography
Introducer: Hardin – bhardin@leg.ne.gov
Introduced By: Hardin At the request of the Governor

View Bill text here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB172.pdf

This is much needed legislation! Every measure we can take to protect children from being exploited and to punish their abusers to the fullest extent of the law. We’re glad to see the focus on these issues from our governor and senators!

Side note: This is a good time to remind people that children should NOT be on social media, chat rooms, and even online games where there is open communication with strangers.


LB184 – Prohibit certain sales of nitrous oxide and equipment to use nitrous oxide and provide penalties
Introducer: DeKay – bdekay@leg.ne.gov

View Bill text here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB184.pdf

This makes it a misdemeanor for tobacco specialty stores to sell nitrous oxide or delivery systems intended for nitrous oxide use.

LR10CA – Constitutional amendment to require the state to impose a consumption tax or an excise tax on all new goods and services and to provide a tax exemption for grocery items
Introducer: Hardin – bhardin@leg.ne.gov

View Bill text here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LR10CA.pdf

LR11CA – Constitutional amendment to prohibit governmental entities from imposing any taxes other than retail consumption taxes and excise taxes
Introducer: Hardin – bhardin@leg.ne.gov

View Bill text here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LR11CA.pdf

Woot, woot!!! Senator Hardin has officially dropped EPIC Option! LR10CA and LR11CA would effectively eliminate property, income, inheritance, and corporate taxes and move Nebraska into a consumption based tax system with an exception for groceries. We weren’t sure who or if anyone would continue the fight to free the tax slaves after Erdman and Halloran were term limited, so we are very grateful to see Senator Hardin carry on this effort! We look forward to continuing our support and raising public awareness!

We’ll take a quick moment to remind our members and followers that as much as we know there’s a need to Cut Spending, the politicians in Nebraska, local and statewide have proven unable to accomplish this goal. The ONLY way to cut spending is to take their money away! EPIC Option is the key to encouraging more fiscal spending and greater scrutiny of their priorities!

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Bill introduction will continue throughout the week! There are many, many more bills yet to be introduced. Reach out to your Senators and encourage their support or sponsorship for some of the good legislation we’ve seen thus far and express your expectations of opposition to the bad bills! Get it on their radar!!!
NAGO will narrow down bills and provide more in-depth talking points when Bill Introduction closes and public hearings begin.

If you haven’t yet, sign up to have our newsletters and announcements delivered directly to your inbox at http://www.nago.group!

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Convention of States Nebraska

NAGO Leader, Allie Bush, and others gathered with the COS leaders for a press conference today at the Capitol. Senator Lippincott addressed the crowd about his support for rescinding the sunset currently on the COS resolution.

You can watch the video on NAGOs Facebook Page here.