Hearing Schedule – Sunday February 1, 2026 to Saturday February 7, 2026
There are a lot of big and important bills this week!
For that reason, NAGO was very selective in the bills shared in this week’s schedule to support or oppose. Our hope is that our followers and members will focus especially on these bills. If you would like to review any additional bills, the full week’s public hearing schedule can be found here.
To submit an Online Comment to the record, click the link below the bill number of interest, scroll down on the Bill Page until you reach the header labeled History, directly below you will find a button that says, Submit an Online Comment for [Bill number].
Monday February 2, 2026
Appropriations
Room 1524 – 1:30 PM
NEUTRAL: LB1071
Introducer: Speaker Arch
Description: Provide, change, and eliminate provisions related to appropriations for the expenses of Nebraska State Government for the biennium ending June 30, 2027
Statement of Intent: *LB 1071, introduced by the Speaker at the request of the Governor, is part of the Governor’s 2026 mid-biennium budget adjustment recommendations for the 2025-2027 Biennium. The bill makes adjustments to appropriations and reappropriations for state operations, aid, and construction programs, provides for transfers, and modifies intent language and earmarks accompanying appropriations for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 and the next fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
The bill contains the emergency clause.*
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=62648
* If you can not join us in person, please submit online testimony. The comments must be submitted and confirmed by Monday, February 2nd, 2026 at 8:00 AM! *
More Information: one of the two budget bills meant to address the budget deficit. There are many transfers from various cash funds, there will be some to support and some to oppose – therefore NAGO is taking a neutral position and encourage people to scan through the bill carefully.
Any changes you cannot live with, we highly recommend you include in your online or in person comments.
ALSO Email the Appropriations Committee:
Sen. Robert Clements, Chairperson – rclements@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Christy Armendariz – carmendariz@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh – mcavanaugh@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Myron Dorn – mdorn@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Robert Dover – rdover@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Loren Lippincott – llippincott@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jason Prokop – JProkop@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Ashlei Spivey – ASpivey@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Paul Strommen – PStrommen@leg.ne.gov
NEUTRAL: LB1072
Introducer: Speaker Arch
Description: Provide for and change transfers from the Cash Reserve Fund and provide, change, and eliminate provisions relating to fees, funds, fund transfers, agency powers and duties, and various statutory programs
Statement of Intent: *LB 1072, introduced by the Speaker at the request of the Governor, is part of the Governor’s 2026 mid-biennium budget adjustment recommendations for the 2025-2027 Biennium. The bill authorizes and provides for fund transfers, changes certain fund transfer provisions, creates cash funds, and provides for statutory changes to support proposed reductions in spending and appropriation.
The bill contains the emergency clause.*
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=62666
* If you can not join us in person, please submit online testimony. The comments must be submitted and confirmed by Monday, February 2nd, 2026 at 8:00 AM! *
More Information: The second of the two budget bills meant to address the budget deficit. There are many transfers from various cash funds, there will be some to support and some to oppose – therefore NAGO is taking a neutral position and encourage people to scan through the bill carefully.
Any changes you cannot live with, we highly recommend you include in your online or in person comments.
ALSO Email the Appropriations Committee:
Sen. Robert Clements, Chairperson – rclements@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Christy Armendariz – carmendariz@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh – mcavanaugh@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Myron Dorn – mdorn@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Robert Dover – rdover@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Loren Lippincott – llippincott@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jason Prokop – JProkop@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Ashlei Spivey – ASpivey@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Paul Strommen – PStrommen@leg.ne.gov
OPPOSE: LB772
Introducer: Cavanaugh, M.
Description: Eliminate provisions allowing certain transfers of funds
Statement of Intent: *LB 776 proposes to remove language allowing transfers from multiple cash funds to the General Fund. This is to allow state agencies to plan and fund necessary multi-year projects and to keep fee costs to the public as low as possible.*
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=62842
* If you can not join us in person, please submit online testimony. The comments must be submitted and confirmed by Monday, February 2nd, 2026 at 8:00 AM! *
More Information: in some cases this could be good and reasonable. Our greatest concern is that if you Prohibit all together the transfer of these cash funds that the legislature will be left with no other options but to raise taxes and fees on Nebraskans to close the gap in the case of a budget deficit.
ALSO Email the Appropriations Committee:
Sen. Robert Clements, Chairperson – rclements@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Christy Armendariz – carmendariz@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh – mcavanaugh@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Myron Dorn – mdorn@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Robert Dover – rdover@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Loren Lippincott – llippincott@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jason Prokop – JProkop@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Ashlei Spivey – ASpivey@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Paul Strommen – PStrommen@leg.ne.gov
Executive Board
Room 1524 – 12:00 PM
OPPOSE: LB1237
Introducer:
Description: Prohibit bringing weapons or prohibited substances into the State Capitol
Statement of Intent: *Legislative Bill 1237 introduced by the members of the Executive Board is the product of consultations between the legislative, executive, and judicial branch leadership in consultation with the Nebraska State Patrol regarding the need for appropriate security measures to be considered and implemented to ensure that all Nebraska residents are able to enjoy the State Capitol and participate safely and fully in all governmental functions carried out within the building.
Legislative Bill 1237 would amend section 81-1108.15 to provide that following consultation with the Executive Board, the Governor, the Chief Justice , and the State Capitol Administrator the Nebraska State Patrol, no later than January 1, 2027, shall implement procedures to ensure the State Capitol is secure and to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering the building with weapons or prohibited substances.
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=63812
* If you can not join us in person, please submit online testimony. The comments must be submitted and confirmed by Monday, February 2nd, 2026 at 8:00 AM! *
More Information: similar bills have been proposed in the past that many of these senators have opposed. What has changed?
While political tensions have risen across the country, restricting law abiding citizens has never ultimately reduced or eliminated harm done by criminal actors. Many Nebraskans carry weapons, as defined by LB1237, on a daily basis without incident.
We have no objection to a screening process and agree the prohibited substances, as defined by LB1237, have no valid reason to be brought into the State Capitol.
We expect a main supporting talking point will be that other government buildings are gun free zones and therefore it would not be unreasonable to expect the same at the Capitol.
Ultimately, we would remind the senators that those who would trade their freedoms for a little security deserve neither.
ALSO Email the Executive Board:
Sen. Ben Hansen, Chairperson – bhansen@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Teresa lbach, Vice Chairperson – tibach@leg.ne.gov
Sen. John Arch – jarch@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Beau Ballard – bballard@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Eliot Bostar – Ebostar@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Robert Clements (Ex Officio) – rclements@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Myron Dorn – mdorn@leg.ne.gov
Sen. John Fredrickson – Jfredrickson@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Mike Jacobson – mjacobson@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Terrell McKinney – tmckinney@leg.ne.gov
Tuesday February 3, 2026
Education
Room 1525 – 1:30 PM
OPPOSE: LB1224
Introducer: Hunt
Description: Prohibit children from transferring to an exempt school during certain child abuse or neglect investigations and prohibit persons convicted of certain crimes from monitoring or providing instruction at such schools
Statement of Intent: *The intent of LB 1224 is to protect children experiencing, abuse or neglect by preventing cases in which abuse is exacerbated or perpetuated when a child victim is withdrawn from public school, therefore losing regular contact with mandatory reporters and opportunity for intervention from school personnel. Under LB 1224, parents/guardians under active investigation for child abuse or neglect would be temporarily prohibited from withdrawing a child from public school into a home school.
Further, adults who have been convicted of domestic assault, child abuse, or a sex-related crime would be prohibited from teaching or providing supervision at a home school. The bill does not impact families who are already home schooling, or those who intend to home school and are not under investigation for child abuse or neglect.*
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=63295
* If you can not join us in person, please submit online testimony. The comments must be submitted and confirmed by Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 at 8:00 AM! *
More Information: Summary of L.B. 1224 from HSLDA – Some of the changes set out in L.B. 1224 include:
Prohibition on starting homeschooling. If the Department of Health and Human Services receives a report of child abuse or neglect, the reported parents may not transfer their child from their current school to an exempt school (homeschool) until the investigation or review is concluded. Current regulations require the review to be completed “within 60 days unless an exception is granted.”
Notification of school. If the department receives a report of child abuse or neglect by a parent, legal guardian, or “educational decisionmaker” of a student, the department must notify both the child’s current school and the commissioner of education that the student is not allowed to transfer to an exempt school (homeschool).
Notification of police. If the accused parent does file the paperwork to begin homeschooling, or if the school receives a request to transfer or disenroll the student, the school must immediately notify the police.
Rulemaking authority. The Department of Health and Human Services would be granted the authority to establish procedures to carry out these provisions.
Prohibition from providing instruction. Any person who has been convicted of listed sexual or child-maltreatment crimes may not monitor or provide instruction at an exempt school (homeschool).
According to Senator Megan Hunt, who introduced the bill, “The intent of L.B. 1224 is to protect children experiencing abuse or neglect by preventing cases in which abuse is exacerbated or perpetuated when a child victim is withdrawn from public school, therefore losing regular contact with mandatory reporters and opportunity for intervention from school personnel.”
While the stated intention of protecting children is noble, the bill’s execution would lead to negative consequences for homeschooling families and children.
Mere suspicion can lead to a report being made about a parent to child protective services, and the vast majority of investigations into potential child abuse are closed as unfounded.
But these investigations can go on for some time, during which this bill would restrict parents from making timely decisions about their children’s education and welfare. A child who is struggling academically in traditional school will continue to fall behind, while a child facing bullying or abuse from a teacher will have to remain in an unsafe environment.
These sorts of bills implicitly draw a connection between homeschooling and child abuse that is not supported by the evidence. Criminal codes and sentencing already have the power to restrict the parental rights of convicted criminals. Adding to the civil code a specific prohibition on homeschooling for people convicted of certain crimes casts a shadow over all homeschooling parents as posing unique risks to their children.
In American law, we assume innocence until guilt is proven. And we assume that parents are acting in their children’s best interests unless proven otherwise. L.B. 1224 runs counter to both.
ALSO Email the Education Committee:
Sen. Dave Murman, Chairperson – dmurman@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Danielle Conrad – dconrad@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jana Hughes – jhughes@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Megan Hunt – mhunt@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Margo Juarez – MJuarez@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dan Lonowski – dlonowski@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Glen Meyer – gmeyer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Rita Sanders – rsanders@leg.ne.gov
Wednesday February 4, 2026
Government, Military and Veterans Affairs
Room 1507 – 1:30 PM
SUPPORT: LB927
Introducer: Andersen
Description: Change provisions relating to the involvement of foreign nationals with funding and organization of ballot question committees
Statement of Intent: *LB927 strengthens Nebraska’s campaign finance laws for ballot initiatives. It provides a clear definition of preliminary ballot activity, strengthens prohibitions on foreign nationals contributing to or spending on ballot questions, and requires ballot question committees to certify that their funding does not include significant amounts from foreign nationals. The bill expands reporting requirements and increases fines for violations to at least $100,000. It also adds protections to limit disclosure of lawful donors’ identities during investigations.*
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=62850
* If you can not join us in person, please submit online testimony. The comments must be submitted and confirmed by Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 8:00 AM! *
ALSO Email the Government Military and Veterans Affairs Committee:
Sen. Rita Sanders, Chairperson – rsanders@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Bob Andersen – bandersen@leg.ne.gov
Sen. John Cavanaugh – jcavanaugh@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dunixi Guereca – dguereca@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Megan Hunt – mhunt@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dan Lonowski – dlonowski@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Fred Meyer – fmeyer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dave Wordekemper – dwordekemper@leg.ne.gov
OPPOSE: LB1068
Introducer: Storm
Description: Change requirements for petition circulators and sponsors under the Election Act
Statement of Intent: *LB1068 provides several new requirements for petition sponsors and petition circulators. First, the bill prohibits non-citizens and anyone who has pleaded guilty to, pleaded nolo contendere to, or been found guilty of fraud, forgery or I.D. theft from circulating petitions and requires petition sponsors to conduct a background check to ensure compliance with with the new section. Any petition pages circulated by an ineligible circulator shall be deemed invalid. The bill also requires petition circulators to wear an I.D. badge with the circulators name and requires petition sponsors to file with the Secretary of State how they will comply with the I.D. badge requirement. Finally, the bill requires a petition sponsor to file a list of circulators who will be handling more than 25 sheets of a petition.*
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=63248
* If you can not join us in person, please submit online testimony. The comments must be submitted and confirmed by Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 8:00 AM! *
More Information: while it sounds like a good idea, this bill would greatly impact low budget people led initiatives in a big way like EPIC Option – epicoption.info, Choose Life Now – chooselifenow.net/, FAN Petitions (WTA, Hand Count, the Apple Plan, etc. www.forallnebraskans.org/) This bill greatly threatens the will of the people to have input in our Unicameral by creating burdensome and costly hurdles for the sponsors and circulators.
ALSO Email the Government Military and Veterans Affairs Committee:
Sen. Rita Sanders, Chairperson – rsanders@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Bob Andersen – bandersen@leg.ne.gov
Sen. John Cavanaugh – jcavanaugh@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dunixi Guereca – dguereca@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Megan Hunt – mhunt@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dan Lonowski – dlonowski@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Fred Meyer – fmeyer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dave Wordekemper – dwordekemper@leg.ne.gov
Revenue
Room 1524 – 1:30 PM
OPPOSE: LB1124
Introducer: Sorrentino
Description: Increase the cigarette tax and state intent and change provisions relating to the distribution of cigarette tax proceeds
Statement of Intent: *LB 1124 serves to partially offset the more than $180 million (including FMAP match) ($80 million coming from the General Fund) in annual Medicaid expenses incurred by Nebraska due to smoking. LB 1124 raises the excise tax on cigarettes, which was set in 2002, from $0.64 per pack to $1.64 per pack of 20 cigarettes.
LB 1124 proportionately increases the excise tax distribution to the Nebraska General Fund, HHS Cash Fund for cancer and smoking-related disease research, the Nebraska Health Care Cash Fund, and several other funds.*
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=62815
* If you can not join us in person, please submit online testimony. The comments must be submitted and confirmed by Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 8:00 AM! *
ALSO Email the Revenue Committee:
Sen. R. Brad von Gillern, Chairperson – bvongillern@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Mike Jacobson, Vice Chairperson – mjacobson@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Eliot Bostar – Ebostar@leg.ne.gov
Sen. George Dungan – Gdungan@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Teresa lbach – tibach@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Kathleen Kauth – kkauth@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dave Murman – dmurman@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Tony Sorrentino – TSorrentino@leg.ne.gov
OPPOSE: LB1238
Introducer: Hughes
Description: Change the cigarette tax and distribution of such tax and change taxes imposed under the Tobacco Products Tax Act
Statement of Intent: *LB1238 equalizes the excise tax rate for all tobacco, electronic nicotine delivery systems, nicotine analogues, and alternative nicotine products. LB1238 sets the excise tax rate for all these products at 30% of wholesale cost.*
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=63034
* If you can not join us in person, please submit online testimony. The comments must be submitted and confirmed by Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 8:00 AM! *
ALSO Email the Revenue Committee:
Sen. R. Brad von Gillern, Chairperson – bvongillern@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Mike Jacobson, Vice Chairperson – mjacobson@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Eliot Bostar – Ebostar@leg.ne.gov
Sen. George Dungan – Gdungan@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Teresa lbach – tibach@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Kathleen Kauth – kkauth@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dave Murman – dmurman@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Tony Sorrentino – TSorrentino@leg.ne.gov
Thursday February 5, 2026
Natural Resources
Room 1023 – 1:30 PM
SUPPORT: LB1026
Introducer: Storm
Description: Prohibit retirement, shutdown, cessation of operation, and alteration of operation of certain energy generation facilities
Statement of Intent: *Provides that electric suppliers shall not retire, shut down, cease operation of, or substantially alter the operation of an electric generation facility if the electric supplier has customers waiting for electric service except for the following reasons:
1. The facilities retirement is mandated by federal or state law
2. The facility is mechanically unsafe to operate
3. The facility is damaged beyond repair due to a natural disaster
4. The continued operation of the facility is uneconomical*
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=62880
* If you can not join us in person, please submit online testimony. The comments must be submitted and confirmed by Thursday, February 5th, 2026 at 8:00 AM! *
More Information: as example, this bill would prevent the shutdown of the coal power plant in Omaha.
ALSO Email the Natural Resources Committee:
Sen. Tom Brandt, Chairperson – tbrandt@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Stan Clouse – SClouse@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Danielle Conrad – dconrad@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Barry DeKay – bdekay@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jana Hughes – jhughes@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Margo Juarez – MJuarez@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Mike Moser – mmoser@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jane Raybould – Jraybould@leg.ne.gov
Revenue
Room 1524 – 1:30 PM
SUPPORT: LB1183
Introducer: Lippincott
Description: Change provisions relating to valuation of property
Statement of Intent: *LB1183 is aimed at reducing the tax burden on property owners by establishing that property shall be valued at fifty percent of its actual value for taxation purposes. For agricultural and horticultural land, the bill lowers the current assessment from seventy-five percent to thirty-seven and five-tenths percent of its actual value.*
Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=64033
* If you can not join us in person, please submit online testimony. The comments must be submitted and confirmed by Thursday, February 5th, 2026 at 8:00 AM! *
More Information: This bill is modeled after the FAN petition that would reduce property tax valuation at 50% and for ag land at 37.5% – www.forallnebraskans.org/
ALSO Email the Revenue Committee:
Sen. R. Brad von Gillern, Chairperson – bvongillern@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Mike Jacobson, Vice Chairperson – mjacobson@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Eliot Bostar – Ebostar@leg.ne.gov
Sen. George Dungan – Gdungan@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Teresa lbach – tibach@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Kathleen Kauth – kkauth@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dave Murman – dmurman@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Tony Sorrentino – TSorrentino@leg.ne.gov
Friday February 6, 2026
No bills selected by NAGO for Friday February 6th.
As always, feel free to contact us with any comments, questions, or concerns. If you haven’t yet, sign up to have our newsletters and announcements delivered directly to your inbox at www.nago.group!
Nebraskans Against Government Overreach 