Last week, we wrapped up the first full week of the Legislature’s 2026 session. Today is the last day of bill introduction, and we will know the full list of new legislation for this session by noon today. (Click here for a list of everything introduced so far.)
Hearings started yesterday and will continue through the end of February. Floor debate will happen in the mornings and hearings will take place in the afternoon.
Appleseed Priority Bills Introduced
Several bills were introduced last week and yesterday, including a few more of Appleseed’s 2026 priorities:
✅ LR304, introduced by Senator John Fredrickson, would designate a Legislative Oversight Committee to review, investigate, and assess the effect of child welfare efficacy practices on child safety, quality of Department of Health and Human Services services, and public and private workforce stability.
❌ LB870, introduced by Senator Bob Anderson, would repeal Nebraska’s successful education policy of 20 years that ensures Nebraska youth who grow up in local communities and graduate from Nebraska high schools can continue their education at in-state tuition rates, regardless of immigration status – keeping important talent in Nebraska. Current policy simply ensures youth can pay in-state tuition rates. (It does not create scholarships or grants.)
✅ LB963, introduced by Senator Terrell McKinney, supports public safety and proper use of state resources by requiring public notice and Legislature approval before state agencies or officials enter into agreements related to federal immigration enforcement.
✅ LB1009, introduced by Senator George Dungan, supports Nebraskans injured on the job by reducing Nebraska’s longest-in-the-nation waiting periods for workers’ compensation – the system that helps people recover after workplace injuries.
✅ LB1032, introduced by Senator Wendy DeBoer, recognizes tribal customary adoptions in Nebraska state law. Tribal customary adoptions allow Native children to be adopted without severing their relationship with their biological family, respecting the traditions, values, and laws of their tribes.
✅ LB1034, introduced by Senator George Dungan, keeps Nebraska children and learning environments safe by preventing ICE from entering schools without a judicial warrant.
✅ LB1056, introduced by Senator Danielle Conrad, supports Nebraskans injured on the job through several updates to the workers’ compensation system – adding a much-needed cost of living adjustment, increasing support for the loss of different body parts, covering some interpretation costs, and improving the process for choosing your own doctor.
❌ LB1061, introduced by Senator Dave Murman, would repeal Nebraska’s successful education policy of 20 years that ensures Nebraska youth who grow up in local communities and graduate from Nebraska high schools can continue their education at in-state tuition rates, regardless of immigration status – keeping important talent in Nebraska. Current policy simply ensures youth can pay in-state tuition rates. (It does not create scholarships or grants.)
Stay tuned for an overview of all of our 2026 legislative priorities soon!
Next Week’s Hearings
There are important hearings next week that you can attend in person, stream online, or submit a comment. Appleseed will be showing up for:
✅ LB921 (Senator Teresa Ibach) – Adopt the Nebraska Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act
- Monday, January 26 in the afternoon in Room 2102 on the Second Floor of the Capitol in front of the Business and Labor Committee
- This bill would require additional notice to workers if their place of employment will close or have a mass layoff.
- TAKE ACTION: Appleseed SUPPORTS this bill – submit a comment here by Monday, January 26 at 8:00 AM CT
❌ LB870 ( Senator Bob Anderson) and ❌ LB1061 (Senator Dave Murman) – Change residence requirements relating to tuition and fees at state postsecondary educational institutions
- Monday, January 26 in the afternoon in Room 1525 in front of the Education Committee (Combined hearing for both bills)
- These bills would both repeal Nebraska’s successful education policy of 20 years that ensures Nebraska youth who grow up in local communities and graduate from Nebraska high schools can continue their education at in-state tuition rates, regardless of immigration status – keeping important talent in Nebraska. Current policy simply ensures youth can pay in-state tuition rates. (It does not create scholarships or grants.)
- TAKE ACTION: Appleseed OPPOSES both bills – submit a comment here for LB870 and submit a comment here for LB1061 by Monday, January 26 at 8:00 AM CT
❌ LB730 (Senator Kathleen Kauth) – Require schools and state agencies to designate restrooms and locker rooms based on sex and require state agencies to define an individual’s sex as either male or female for purposes of rules and regulations, the enforcement of administrative actions, and adjudication of disputes
- Wednesday, January 28 in the afternoon in Room 1507 in front of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee
- This bill prohibits schools and state agencies from allowing people to access a restroom or locker room designated for a gender different than their gender assigned at birth. (Learn more from our partners at OutNebraska.)
- TAKE ACTION: Appleseed OPPOSES this bill – submit a comment here by Wednesday, January 28 at 8:00 AM CT
How to submit a comment:
- On the page for the bill you want to comment on, click “Submit Comments Online”
- Read through the pop-up notification and click “I Understand”
- Click “Yes” on the “Include Comment in Public Hearing Record” question, if you want your comment to be part of the public record
- Fill out your personal information and use your email to confirm submission
- Write your comment in the “Written Statement” box
- Complete the reCAPTCHA prompt (“I am not a robot”)
- Click “Submit Comment”
Stay Up to Date
You can keep up with all the happenings at the Legislature by following Appleseed online:
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
- Don’t miss out on our updates on legislative hearings on BlueSky and X.
- Stop by our blog for opinion pieces, informative updates, and news stories.
We’ll let you know how you can take action to get involved and make your voice heard throughout the session! Want to support our work? Become a monthly sustaining supporter and help provide critical flexibility to tackle emerging issues all year long.