Capitol Updates

Thursday, April 16, 2026

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Nebraska Legislature Prepares for Final Day as 60th Legislative Day Arrives

Nebraska lawmakers will convene on Friday, April 17, for the 60th and final day of the 2026 Legislative Session. Originally expected to possibly adjourn earlier on Day 59 last Friday, the session extended through its full allotted time after a late-week surge of bill passages sent dozens of measures to the governor for signature or veto. Senators will return tomorrow to address any necessary veto override votes before officially adjourning Sine Die. 

The decision to schedule the final day stemmed from the volume of legislation advanced late in the session and the absence of guarantees from the governor that none would be vetoed. On Friday, lawmakers will handle any override attempts and take time to bid farewell to term-limited colleagues and those not returning for the next session. This marks the conclusion of a productive, yet condensed, short session filled with significant debates on key state priorities. 

Among the notable measures that passed and were sent to the governor is the state budget (LB1071), which ultimately did not include the originally proposed private school voucher program after considerable discussion. Lawmakers also approved the Hunger-Free Schools Act (LB966), which will provide free school meals to students from families at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. Additionally, LB304 passed, eliminating a sunset date for the federal Child Care Subsidy program for qualifying families at the same income threshold. 

Not all priorities advanced, however. Governor Pillen’s priority bill LB1050, which sought to retain third-grade students unable to pass certain literacy tests, failed to move forward following extended debate. In its place at the recommendation of the NSEA Government Relations Team, Senator Hughes plans to study literacy screeners and student retention issues over the summer through LR440. LB1034, which would have restricted school staff from allowing federal immigration enforcement officers access to schools without a judicial warrant, also failed to advance out of committee. 

120-Day Break in Service Gives Retired Educators Clear Path to Return to Nebraska Classrooms

The NSEA is pleased to announce the successful enactment of LB824, a bill introduced by Sen. Dan Lonowski that modernizes return-to-work rules for school retirees under the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Systems (NPERS). NSEA worked closely with Sen. Lonowski throughout the process—from introduction through committee hearings and final passage—to address longstanding challenges faced by retiring educators who wished to continue serving Nebraska students. The bill was signed into law by the governor on April 7. 

Prior to LB824, school employees retiring from the School Employees Retirement Act or Class V plan faced a strict 180-day break in service requirement before they could provide regular substitute service or return to full- or part-time work in the same retirement system without jeopardizing their monthly retirement benefits. Federal rules required a bona fide separation, but an exception allowing up to eight days per month of substitute or volunteer work proved confusing and difficult to administer. In too many cases, retirees who inadvertently exceeded that limit received notices from NPERS requiring repayment of benefits already received and temporary suspension of their monthly payments—a heartbreaking outcome for dedicated educators who simply wanted to stay involved in their schools. 

LB824 replaces the previous 180-day period and its problematic eight-day exception with a clear, uniform 120-day break in service requirement. This straightforward change eliminates ambiguity and provides every retiree with a precise return-to-work date, whether they choose full-time employment, part-time roles, substitute teaching, or volunteer service in the districts they know and love. The new timeline aligns the school plans with the 120-day standard already in place for other NPERS-administered systems, including state employees, county, judges, and state patrol. 

NSEA members and retirees can now plan their post-retirement service with greater confidence and security. The legislation removes unnecessary barriers while fully complying with federal requirements, allowing experienced educators to continue supporting students and schools during their retirement years if they choose. This common-sense reform reflects NSEA’s ongoing commitment to advocating for fair and workable retirement policies that honor the contributions of Nebraska’s public-school employees.  

For more information on LB824 and how it may affect your individual situation, members are encouraged to contact NPERS at (402) 471-2053 or (800) 245-5712 (toll-free). 

Review of Education Related Priority Bills

Approved by Governor 

LB653 (Murman) Change acceptance of students under the enrollment option 
NSEA Position: Support 

LB824 (Lonowski) Change provisions to termination of employment under the School Employees Retirement Act and the Class V School Employees Retirement Act 
NSEA Position: Support 

LB956 (Cavanaugh, J.) Provide collection of postsecondary institution compensation data 
NSEA Position: Support 

LB1071 (Arch) Provide, change, and eliminate provisions related to appropriations for the expenses of Nebraska State Government for the biennium ending June 30, 2027 
NSEA Position: Monitor 

Presented to Governor 

LB304 (DeBoer) Eliminate a sunset date for the federal Child Care Subsidy program  
NSEA Position: Support 

LB429 (Murman) Provide requirements and restrictions for school boards relating to professional employees’ organizations 
NSEA Position: Monitor 

LB745 (Juarez) Change provisions to requirements for a diploma of high school equivalency 
NSEA Position: Support 

LB748 (Sorrentino) Change provisions to Nebraska educational savings plan trust 
NSEA Position: Monitor 

LB820 (Retirement) Change contributions by school districts, computation of tax withholdings, retirement allowances, and cost-of-living adjustments 
NSEA Position: Support (includes LB1102 and LB1166) 

LB924 (Andersen) Change powers of learning community councils and levies 
NSEA Position: Monitor 

LB937 (Education) Adopt the Prior Learning Act and change provisions relating to student transfers, school absences, option enrollment, extracurricular activities, and the College Pathway Program Act 
NSEA Position: Monitor (includes LB1146, LB1164, LB1224, LB1241 and LB1243) 

LB940 (Murman) Prohibit certain color additives in school meals 
NSEA Position: Monitor 

LB966 (Cavanaugh, M.) Adopt the Hunger-Free Schools Act 
NSEA Position: Support 

LB1029 (Conrad) Redefine terms to reportable funding from a foreign adversarial source for colleges and universities 
NSEA Position: Support 

LB1086 (Dover) Change eligibility requirements for community college gap assistance 
NSEA Position: Support 

Select File 

LB1050 (Murman) Provide requirements for dyslexia screening and limit advancement to grade four under the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act 
NSEA Position: Oppose 

General File 

LB730 (Kauth) Require schools designate restrooms and locker rooms based on sex 
NSEA Position: Oppose 

LB1219 (Brandt) Limit amount of property taxes that may be levied by a political subdivision 
NSEA Position: Oppose 

In Committee 

LB1034 (Dungan) Prohibit school staff from allowing federal immigration enforcement officers to access schools without a judicial warrant 
NSEA Position: Support 

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