‘A SMALL STEP’: COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY ADVANCES NEBRASKA MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION TWEAKS

LINCOLN — A legislative committee unanimously advanced small changes to the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission as part of Legislative Bill 1235, aiming to help the new commission operate more effectively after voter approval of medical cannabis measures in 2024. The amended bill, trimmed to just three pages from 28, would set a $12,500 salary for commissioners, create a state cash fund to support commission work, allow the commission to charge application fees up to $50,000, and require fingerprinting for applicants. Lawmakers described the updates as modest but necessary administrative fixes to fill gaps in the voter-approved framework.

Supporters said the changes help the commission move forward with licensing cultivators and other roles, while critics of broader proposals last year had opposed more expansive regulatory authority. Though the tweaks do not dramatically expand patient access or overhaul the system, backers argued they help clarify funding and operational basics. The committee also advanced confirmations of three new commission members as part of the package.

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TOP NEBRASKA BUSINESS LEADER LEAVES CHAMBER POST AFTER LESS THAN YEAR

LINCOLN — A top Nebraska business leader has stepped down as president and CEO of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry after serving less than a year in the role. The chamber confirmed the departure in a brief statement but did not provide a detailed explanation for the leadership change. The exit comes during a key period for the state’s largest business advocacy organization as it engages lawmakers on tax, workforce and economic development issues.

The departing executive, Todd Bingham, began leading the chamber in mid-2025 after being selected earlier that spring. His tenure lasted roughly nine months. The chamber’s board has launched a search for new leadership, saying it will work to ensure continuity in its policy priorities and support for Nebraska businesses during the transition.

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NEBRASKA BATHROOM, GENDER CARE BILLS ADVANCE FROM COMMITTEE, LACK VOTES TO PASS

LINCOLN —Nebraska legislative committees this week narrowly advanced two contentious bills: one (LB 730) that would require bathrooms, locker rooms and similar group facilities in K-12 schools, colleges and state buildings to be designated strictly as “male” or “female,” and another (LB 732) that would ban puberty blockers and cross-sex hormone treatments for minors and prohibit such care via telehealth. Supporters, led by State Sen. Kathleen Kauth, argue the proposals protect privacy and safety, but neither measure appears to have the 33 votes needed to overcome opposition during full-Legislature debate, including from key swing Republican State Sen. Merv Riepe. Omaha and Lincoln public schools have opposed the bathroom bill, and no senator chose the gender care ban as a legislative “priority,” likely ending its path for 2026.

 Critics, including moderate senators and LGBTQ advocates, have pushed back, with some lawmakers saying the bathroom bill isn’t necessary and questioning how enforcement would work. Advocates for transgender Nebraskans voiced concern about the impact of the gender care restrictions and bathroom designations, and opponents of LB 732 have indicated they would try to kill it even if it reaches the floor. As scheduling for debate remains uncertain, supporters say they may revisit the proposals in future sessions if they fall short this year.

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ADVOCATES SAY PROPOSAL WOULD PROTECT ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST FROM ‘DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS’

LINCOLN —Conservation groups and wildlife advocates urged state senators to back a proposal aimed at safeguarding the Nebraska Environmental Trust from repeated transfers of its funds to help balance the state budget. Gov. Jim Pillen has proposed sweeping more than $40 million from the Trust over the next two years, which critics say could jeopardize competitive grants that have funded conservation, habitat and recycling projects for decades. Opponents of the transfers warned that ongoing diversions — totaling about $29 million in recent years — amount to “death by a thousand cuts” and dilute the Trust’s mission to support environmental work. 

In response, State Sen. Tom Brandt introduced Legislative Resolution 298, a proposed constitutional amendment that would ensure Trust funds are used only for competitive grants as originally intended by voters. Supporters say enshrining that purpose in the Nebraska Constitution would block future transfers like those sought by the governor and preserve funding for conservation efforts. No one spoke against the measure at a committee hearing, and online comments heavily favored advancing it, suggesting strong public backing for protecting the Trust’s funding structure.

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'NOT DEAD YET': BEN SASSE REFLECTS ON REGRETS, FAITH AFTER PANCREATIC CANCER DIAGNOSIS

In a wide-ranging interview about seven weeks after his pancreatic cancer diagnosis, former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse reflected on regret, faith and mortality. Speaking with Peter Robinson of the Hoover Institution, Sasse said he wishes he had been more intentional about balancing work and family life and observing the Sabbath during decades he described as workaholic. Now battling cancer that has spread to his spine and carries a 97% mortality rate, he is undergoing a clinical trial at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He acknowledged the physical pain and emotional weight of the diagnosis, saying it has reshaped how he prays and how he thinks about self-importance, time and family. When he dies, he said he plans to be buried in Arlington, Nebraska, overlooking the Elkhorn River.

Despite the grim prognosis, Sasse said he still believes his time in politics mattered, arguing that ordered liberty requires engagement even if politics should not become central to one’s life. He also discussed technology and culture, contending that greater access to information has not necessarily produced greater wisdom. Now sleeping up to 16 hours a day because of treatment, he recently wrote a Wall Street Journal opinion piece “on morphine” and is preparing to launch a podcast titled “Not Dead Yet,” a project renamed after his diagnosis. Above all, he said his primary motivation in pursuing treatment is to have more time to guide and support his 14-year-old son.

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STIFFER FENTANYL PENALTIES ADVANCE IN LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Legislature moved forward with a proposal to increase penalties for fentanyl trafficking, elevating the maximum sentence from 20 years to life imprisonment for serious offenses as senators voted to cut off debate and attach the measure to another bill for further approval. Supporters, including Sen. Tanya Storer, argue the tougher penalties align fentanyl with punishments for other hard drugs and address its deadly impact in communities, while critics warn the changes could lead to severe sentences even in cases involving small amounts and contribute to prison overcrowding.

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OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS PLANNING FOR $50.6 MILLION SHORTFALL DUE TO STATE TAX FORMULA ERROR

OMAHA - Omaha Public Schools announced that updated information from the Nebraska Department of Education reduced the district’s expected shortfall for the 2026-27 school year from an initial $61 million to $50.6 million. The shortfall results from a correction in the state’s TEEOSA funding formula, which overpaid districts in the previous year. OPS officials said they may need to raise the property tax levy to help cover the gap, though the exact amount will depend on final county property valuations later this year. The district emphasized ongoing communication with the public and plans to present its five-year budget at a rescheduled board meeting on February 23.

To address the shortfall, OPS is relying primarily on property taxes and grants, while seeking savings in other areas. The district has already taken steps to reduce costs, including negotiating a lower 2.49% staff raise with the Omaha Education Association and considering program cuts such as removing cellular data plans from student iPads. OPS leaders stressed that they do not plan to reduce staff and are taking a proactive approach to balance the budget, though some non-staff expenditures may need to be reduced to ensure fiscal stability.

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WINNER-TAKE-ALL DEBATE, AS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, LIKELY IN LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN — Senators could soon feel déjà vu as a Republican lawmaker prioritized a constitutional amendment seeking to alter how Nebraska awards Electoral College votes for president.

State Sen. Fred Meyer of St. Paul prioritized the proposal from State Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams that would let voters decide if the state should change from awarding a single electoral vote to the popular vote winner in each of three congressional districts and two to the statewide winner to awarding all five votes to the statewide winner. That proposal was pushed out from the Legislature’s Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee last year. 

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‘GUEST WORKER PERMIT’ BILL DRAWS LABOR UNION SUPPORT, OPPOSITION FROM NEBRASKA’S LABOR COMMISSIONER

LINCOLN — A Nebraska “guest worker permit” bill for undocumented immigrants drew support Monday from the bulk of public testifiers, while the biggest pushback came from Nebraska’s labor commissioner and the proposer’s fellow lawmakers.

State Sen. Dunixi Guereca of Omaha told the Legislature’s Business and Labor Committee that the Guest Worker Permit Act he introduced would set up a legal framework for undocumented immigrants to work in Nebraska — provided the federal government allows it.

He called LB 879 a “trigger law,” meaning that Nebraska would be ready to go if given the green light by the feds, but he said it would not bypass federal authority or grant a legal status. 

State officials estimated Nebraska’s undocumented population at between 50,000 and 60,000 people, based on data from the Migration Policy Institute and the American Immigration Council.

“We need workers. Period. You can not dispute that — it’s stagnating the Nebraska economy,” Guereca said. “If the native population isn’t bringing more workers, we need immigration.”

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NEBRASKANS RAISE ALARM ABOUT PROPOSED $152 MILLION CUT TO DHHS

LINCOLN —Nebraska’s Legislature recently held a public hearing where healthcare workers, advocates, and others raised serious concerns about Gov. Jim Pillen’s proposed $152 million reduction to the Department of Health and Human Services, part of broader efforts to address the state’s budget challenges. Supporters of DHHS services warned that deep cuts could hurt essential programs that support vulnerable populations, including Medicaid and other health services, even as DHHS officials said they could manage the reductions without harming core functions.

Lawmakers and advocates questioned the impact of the reductions during budget planning, emphasizing potential threats to access to care and program effectiveness for Nebraskans who rely on DHHS services. Agency leaders maintained that the cuts could be absorbed through changes in operations and funding strategies, but public testimony highlighted widespread anxiety about the consequences of shrinking support for health and human services across the state.

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JOCELYN BRASHER ENTERS NEBRASKA AG RACE, SQUARES OFF WITH FORMER BOSS

OMAHA —Democrat Jocelyn Brasher, a Nebraska native and former assistant attorney general, has officially launched her campaign for Nebraska attorney general, challenging incumbent Republican Mike Hilgers, whom she once worked under. Brasher framed her campaign as a bid for new leadership and a different approach in the state’s top legal office, highlighting her experience in public service and law. Her announcement sets up a competitive statewide race as she seeks to persuade voters that her vision better reflects Nebraskans’ priorities.

A central focus of Brasher’s campaign is her criticism of Hilgers’ handling of key policy issues, particularly the state’s medical marijuana implementation. She argues that Hilgers has resisted the will of Nebraska voters — who approved medical cannabis legalization by a wide margin — by challenging related legislation and potentially blocking timely guidance for patients and providers. Brasher says that on Day One in office she would move swiftly to clarify rules so patients can access care and healthcare professionals can practice without undue legal risk, contrasting her priorities with those of the incumbent.

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LA VISTA POLICE OFFICER RUNS FOR NEBRASKA LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 18

BENNINGTON — A La Vista police officer has announced their candidacy for the open seat in Nebraska Legislative District 18, which covers parts of north-central Douglas County. The officer is campaigning on issues important to local families, with a particular emphasis on making life more affordable, including concerns about housing and cost of living for residents.

The race comes as the current District 18 seat will be open in the upcoming election, and the new candidate is positioning themselves as someone with public-safety experience and community ties who wants to bring that background to the Nebraska Legislature.

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NEBRASKA CAPITOL SECURITY PROPOSAL EYEING WEAPONS BAN ADVANCES TO FULL LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN —A legislative proposal in Nebraska is moving forward that would tighten security at the State Capitol by banning most weapons and self-defense items from the building beginning in 2027. The Legislature’s Executive Board unanimously advanced Legislative Bill 1237 to the full Legislature, which would prohibit items such as firearms, pepper spray, explosives, and spray paint unless someone has prior approval. An amendment would allow people with active concealed-carry permits to bring firearms into the Capitol after passing through new metal detectors, and violating the law would be a Class III misdemeanor. The bill’s sponsors argue the changes are necessary for public safety and to align Nebraska’s Capitol with other states that use metal detectors or weapon bans.

The proposal has drawn debate over balancing security with constitutional rights. Supporters point to rising political violence nationally and the need to protect lawmakers, staff, and visitors, while critics, including gun-rights advocates, worry the restrictions could infringe on Second Amendment rights or leave ordinary visitors unable to protect themselves. Law enforcement officials are involved in shaping the measures, and if the bill becomes law, the Nebraska State Patrol would implement screening procedures by January 1, 2027.

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NEBRASKA TURNS OVER SENSITIVE VOTER DATA TO DOJ AS LEGAL BATTLE HEADS TO STATE SUPREME COURT

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s Secretary of State Bob Evnen has begun complying with a U.S. Department of Justice request for detailed voter registration data, providing sensitive information — including names, dates of birth and the last four digits of Social Security numbers or driver’s license numbers on over 1.25 million registered voters — to the federal government amid ongoing legal challenges. The release comes after a lower court and the Nebraska Supreme Court refused to block the transfer, despite arguments from voting advocacy group Common Cause that Nebraska law and privacy protections should prevent handing over such data. The DOJ says the data will be used to help assess compliance with federal voter-list maintenance requirements, but critics warn the sensitive information cannot be “unrung” once shared and raises broader concerns about voter privacy and federal overreach. 

Common Cause’s lawsuit, originally filed to enjoin the data transfer, was dismissed by the district court, and while the state’s high court denied an injunction, it agreed to hear the underlying appeal on March 31. That means Nebraska will provide the voter information before the appeals court weighs in on whether the release complies with state law. Secretary Evnen has insisted the DOJ will follow applicable laws in handling the data, and election officials will not automatically remove voters based on federal recommendations. But privacy advocates continue to challenge both the legal basis for the data request and the potential implications for Nebraska voters’ personal information. 

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FOLEY SAYS CONTRACT PROBE COULD REACH STAFF UNDER GOVERNOR’S DIRECT CONTROL

LINCOLN — Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley says his ongoing investigation into a controversial $2.5 million emergency no-bid bioeconomy contract could extend beyond the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) to include staff directly under Governor Jim Pillen’s control. Foley’s referral to the Nebraska Attorney General raises questions about how the contract was structured and awarded — including whether the Governor’s Office influenced DED’s decisions and whether proper emergency justification was documented as required under state procurement law. Pillen and his team have pushed back, defending the contract and saying they followed the law and acted quickly to secure federal funding opportunities.

Foley’s audit points to shifting explanations from the administration about why competitive bidding was bypassed, and concerns that a required legislative report was filed late and potentially back-dated, which Foley says could have legal implications. The dispute has fueled broader scrutiny over the use of emergency contracting, transparency in state government, and potential accountability reforms. The Governor continues to defend his staff’s actions and emphasizes the benefits the state received from the work done under the contract, even as the probe into top staff’s role evolves.

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NEBRASKANS SHARE CONCERNS ABOUT PROPOSED CONSOLIDATION OF STATE HOUSING FUNDS

LINCOLN —A public hearing on the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s (DED) proposed biennial budget raised significant concerns among lawmakers and housing advocates about Gov. Jim Pillen’s plan to consolidate multiple state housing funds. Under the proposal, the Rural Workforce and Middle Income Housing Investment Funds would be merged into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, moving more than $3 million between programs. Supporters, including DED Director Maureen Larsen, argue the consolidation simplifies administration and helps reallocate resources as pandemic-era programs wind down, but opponents warn that blending funds with different purposes could weaken targeted efforts and harm specific housing needs, such as workforce housing versus affordable housing.

Testifiers at the hearing, including community leaders and housing project advocates, stressed that the distinct goals of the current funds serve different groups and should not be merged, noting past successes of the separate programs. Other budget discussions at the hearing touched on staffing changes at DED — which has lost dozens of positions as programs conclude — and efforts to restore funding for state business development initiatives. Lawmakers continue to wrestle with budget shortfalls while weighing the impacts of these proposed changes on housing affordability and economic development across Nebraska.

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LEGISLATURE REPRIMANDS STATE SEN. MACHAELA CAVANAUGH FOR ‘UNBECOMING,’ ‘SELFISH’ BEHAVIOR

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Legislature’s Executive Board unanimously issued a formal reprimand to State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha for what it described as “unbecoming” and “selfish” behavior after she removed parts of a historical display in the Nebraska State Capitol that was part of a PragerU-produced exhibit celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary. The letter, read into the legislative record, criticized her actions as detracting from the session’s work and reflecting poorly on the institution. Although local law enforcement said it would not pursue charges over the incident, the reprimand goes into her official record and represents the lowest level of disciplinary action short of censure or expulsion.

Cavanaugh has maintained she thought the display had not been properly approved and that senators are prohibited from placing items in hallways, and she reiterated her regret for how the situation unfolded. She also said she was surprised by the reprimand’s issuance without formal notice or a hearing. Supporters and critics in the Legislature offered differing views on whether the process was handled appropriately, with some defending the Board’s actions and others emphasizing procedural fairness.

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NEW PILLEN-CHAMPIONED LAW GETS TOUGH ON CHINA, MAY COST NEBRASKA COMPANIES

LINCOLN — A new Nebraska law championed by Jim Pillen aims to crack down on business ties with “foreign adversaries” like China, but it could cost major Nebraska companies valuable state tax incentives. The broadly written measure may apply to firms with subsidiaries in China, putting companies such as Valmont, Lindsay, Fiserv and Werner at risk of losing incentives tied to investment and job creation in the state.

The Nebraska Department of Revenue has notified some companies they may no longer qualify, raising concerns about retroactive impacts and Nebraska’s reliability in honoring incentive agreements. State officials have suggested lawmakers may need to clarify the law to ensure it targets companies owned by foreign governments, not Nebraska-based firms operating globally.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS LIMIT PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTORS’ AUTHORITY

LINCOLN —Nebraska lawmakers gave final approval to LB203, a bill introduced by Omaha Sen. Kathleen Kauth that limits the authority of local public health directors to impose communitywide health measures. The change primarily affects the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, which previously had broader authority than other districts. Under the bill, public health directors must receive approval from a city council or county board before implementing a directed health measure, with Kauth arguing that decisions restricting personal liberties should rest with elected officials accountable to voters.

The measure allows public health directors to make recommendations but leaves final decisions to local governing boards. An amendment permits local health boards to act quickly in emergencies, though any communitywide order must be ratified by an elected body within seven days. The bill passed 35-12 and now heads to the governor’s desk, along with three other measures that clean up outdated appropriation language, adjust health care facility permit timelines, and update notification procedures in abuse and neglect investigations.

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DATA CENTERS AND WINDMILLS: NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS DISCUSS CHANGES TO STATE'S ENERGY RULES

LINCOLN — A panel of Nebraska lawmakers heard three energy-related proposals as the state grapples with rising power demands driven by data centers, artificial intelligence and other large utility users. Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh’s LB1111 would require data centers to cover the full cost of their electricity use, disclose plans to neighbors and shield other ratepayers from higher costs. Lincoln Sen. Eliot Bostar’s LB1064 would give public power districts more pricing flexibility, require impact studies and allow utilities to curb usage during grid emergencies. Meanwhile, Gov. Jim Pillen has backed separate legislation aimed at reducing red tape for major power users that want to generate and sell their own energy.

A third proposal from Kearney Sen. Stan Clouse, LB1204, focused on renewable energy and drew intense opposition. The bill would adjust the nameplate capacity tax on wind and solar projects to send a much larger share of revenue to counties, which Clouse said could incentivize development if local governments opt in. Renewable energy representatives supported the measure, but many rural residents voiced strong resistance to wind turbines and solar farms, citing concerns about disruption to landscapes, wildlife and local control. The committee took no immediate action after lengthy testimony.

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