AGP Executive Report

Nebraska Data Center Watch: Gov. Jim Pillen named 17 leaders to a new Data Center Task Force to study how data centers could affect Nebraska’s water, power grid, and local infrastructure, including what zoning and policy tools counties may need. Statehouse Legal Fight: Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers sued Omaha over its minimum wage ordinance, arguing it conflicts with state law and asking a judge to block it before the Oct. 1 start date. Public Health & Accountability: Flatwater Free Press reporter Chris Bowling discussed his investigation into Omaha’s residential lead Superfund site on NPR’s “Here & Now,” focusing on soil testing results and how federal and local leaders responded. Rural Hospital Scrutiny: Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley released a letter alleging improper credit card charges totaling more than $38,000 by a former Friend hospital executive, with the matter referred to law enforcement. Federal Dollars for Refugees: A new federal spending tally lists about $150.2M in refugee-related grant obligations tied to Nebraska recipients, led by DHHS. Local Safety Event: Bennington will host a free “Ride Smart. Ride Safe” event for e-bike and e-scooter riders, with safety experts and law enforcement on hand.

Nebraska Legislature: LB1096 cleared final passage 34-15 despite heavy opposition, creating new biosecurity and “foreign principal” restrictions, expanding penalties, and allowing certain records to be withheld. Local Government vs. State Law: Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers sued Omaha over its minimum wage ordinance, arguing the city can’t override statewide law; Omaha says it’s ready to fight and defend its home-rule authority. Health Policy: DHHS is hiring an independent contractor to evaluate Nebraska’s interRAI developmental disability waiver assessment tool over the next four months, with stakeholder input and recommendations expected at the end. Elections: Nebraska Democrats will vote on whether to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy after candidate Cindy Burbank dropped out, tied to a strategy aimed at Dan Osborn. Public Safety Tech: A Nebraska and metro health coalition criticized Trump’s vaccine executive order changes as departing from evidence-based processes, saying it “should not be a political issue.” Other Nebraska Notes: UNL announced multiple campus construction and renovation projects as students return.

Nebraska Politics & Courts: Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers says he wants to be heard in a lawsuit seeking to force the Nebraska Democratic Party to replace former U.S. Senate candidate Cindy Burbank after she dropped out, setting up a constitutional fight over how ballot vacancies are handled. State Government Budget: After Gov. Jim Pillen’s budget memo and hiring freeze, Nebraska agencies are reportedly proposing staffing cuts and other cost-saving ideas to meet withheld allotments. Medicaid Work Requirements: Nebraska is rolling out new Medicaid work rules early, and patients say they’re still waiting on clear guidance as coverage decisions begin to land. Legislature Watch: Senators advanced multiple bills, including LB986 allowing campaign funds for candidate security, LB852 letting counties recapture certain Convention Center Support Fund money, and LB1022 removing human relations training for substitute teacher certificates. Local Accountability: A rural Nebraska hospital executive resigned after a state audit alleged more than $38,000 in improper credit-card charges.

Nebraska Legislature: Lawmakers advanced a package of final-passage bills, including LB986 to let campaign funds pay for candidate security services and systems, and LB852 to allow counties to recapture Convention Center Support Fund money if recipients move operations out of high-poverty areas. Education & Workforce: LB1022 removes Nebraska’s human relations training requirement for substitute teacher certification, while LB1086 tightens eligibility rules for community college gap assistance. Courts & Public Safety: LB935 overhauls court fees and legal procedures, and LB596 updates requirements for legal publications, notices, and certain record-keeping. Health & Human Services: LB1091 sets new long-term care requirements for special-needs Medicaid clients, keeping skilled nursing services outside managed care. Infrastructure: LB1126 creates an Infrastructure Development Investment Program to provide loans and financing tools for transportation projects. Politics & Elections: A judge is set to decide whether two upstart parties—the America First Party and Nebraska Working People Party—can appear on the November ballot. Local Government & Accountability: Commissioners faced questions about data centers in Lincoln County, and a Broken Bow school board approved a $750,000 settlement tied to an email fraud payment scheme. Justice: Former UN regent Elizabeth O’Connor was sentenced to one year in prison for DUI causing serious bodily injury.

Nebraska Legislature, final votes: Lawmakers advanced a major package of bills, including LB966 (Hunger-Free Schools Act) backed by Sen. Tony Sorrentino, LB596 (legal notices/publication rules) approved by Sen. Carolyn Bosn, and LB455 (workers’ compensation injury reporting/confidentiality) approved by Sen. Ben Hansen over opposition from Sen. Dunixi Guereca and others. Election & local governance: LB1075 cleared with emergency language, reshaping election procedures and village governance under Sen. R. Brad von Gillern, while LB1048 under Sen. Jason Prokop streamlined agency reporting and eliminated the Suggestion Award Board/employee suggestion system. Health & Medicaid: LB958 under Sen. Stan Clouse set new rules for Medicaid waiver approval and service eligibility, including legislative sign-off for certain waiver changes. Public safety/health care access: LB955 expanded pharmacist practice agreements with physician assistants (Sen. Eliot Bostar). Energy & infrastructure: LB1261 limiting eminent domain for certain private electric plants failed to win enough support, with Sen. Jason Prokop voting no. Legal/policy fights beyond the Unicameral: A lawsuit challenges Nebraska’s school choice as a First Amendment issue, and a separate national report flags weakening health data protections as the federal government seeks broader access to medical records. Local politics: Lincoln petition fraud fallout continues as city and county officials clash over the investigation and petition leadership.

Legislature Watch: Nebraska lawmakers advanced a packed set of bills on final reading, including youth reentry support (LB962), Medicaid waiver and prenatal/energy changes (LB958), higher modular/manufactured housing penalties (LB888), and adult day service definition updates (LB1057). Housing & Local Government: Affordable housing reporting was streamlined under LB839, while counties gained a new tool to recapture Convention Center Support Fund money if businesses relocate under LB852. Education Policy: Nebraska moved to remove “human relations” training for substitute teacher certification (LB1022). Public Safety & Courts: Court fees and legal procedure changes (LB935) passed with an emergency clause, and the state also updated victims’ rights (LB1181). Health Workforce: Lawmakers created a licensure pathway for internationally trained physicians (LB1212). Government Oversight: Agency reporting consolidation advanced under LB1048. Campaign Finance: Nebraska expanded what campaign funds can cover for candidate security (LB986). Veterans & Defense: Local veterans weighed in as the USS Abraham Lincoln faces a lengthy deployment, with Rep. Don Bacon pushing for recognition of the strain on families.

Election Integrity Fallout: Independent gubernatorial candidate Brett Lindstrom went public after Nebraska officials said more than a third of his petition signatures were fraudulent, leaving him short of the 4,000-signature threshold; he called party politics “weaponized,” said he may consider a write-in run, and noted arrests tied to signature fraud. Legislature—Government Overhaul: Senators advanced LB1048 to streamline and consolidate state agency reporting and budgeting requirements, including eliminating the Suggestion Award Board and winding down a human trafficking task force. Legislature—Elections & Local Governance: LB1075 cleared final passage with an emergency clause, reshaping election law and village governance, including a county/municipal financial database and changes to election procedures and record handling. Legislature—Victims’ Rights: LB1181 updated Nebraska’s victims’ rights law, expanding who qualifies, tightening consultation before plea deals, and strengthening notice and participation in multiple court stages. Legislature—Workplace Protections: LB921 adopted the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, requiring advance notice for certain layoffs and staffing agency registration rules.

Ballot Fraud Fallout: Nonpartisan Nebraska governor candidate Brett Lindstrom went public after officials invalidated 1,563 of 5,764 signatures as fraudulent; he says the damage traces to two people tied to On the Ballot LLC and says he may still seek a write-in run. Legislature—Workplace & Courts: Senators advanced LB921 (worker layoff notice and staffing agency rules), LB1181 (expanded victims’ rights and required consultation before plea deals), and LB1048 (streamlining and cutting certain state agency reporting plus eliminating the Suggestion Award Board). Legislature—Public Services & Health: Lawmakers passed LB596 to update rules for legal notices and publication, LB878 to create paid parental leave for state employees, and LB762 to require insurance coverage for specific pediatric autoimmune disorders. Legislature—Local Finance: LB852 lets counties recapture Convention Center Support Fund money from certain recipients. Surveillance Oversight: A national push is growing after Flock Safety tightened safeguards on its license plate reader network amid concerns about misuse. Federal Immigration Fight: DOJ sued multiple states over in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, citing federal law.

Legislative Showdown: LB1071 is drawing heavy opposition in the Nebraska Legislature as senators debate appropriations and a K-12 education savings account plan. Health Policy Push: Multiple bills cleared final reading, including LB1212 creating licensure pathways for internationally trained physicians, LB1096 tightening biosecurity and foreign access rules for critical infrastructure, and LB762 requiring insurance coverage for pediatric autoimmune disorders. Medicaid & Care Access: Lawmakers advanced LB929 to let managed care organizations pay Medicaid cost sharing, plus LB1057 updating the definition of adult day service. Public Records & Agency Overhaul: LB1048 streamlines and eliminates various state reporting requirements and changes executive budget contract-copy rules. Energy & Property Rights: LB1261 limits when consumer-owned utilities can use eminent domain against privately owned electric generation facilities. Election Integrity: Nonpartisan gubernatorial candidate Brett Lindstrom failed to qualify after “significant” signature fraud concerns; the Secretary of State says he fell short of the 4,000-valid-signature threshold. Local Governance & Data Centers: Knox County set a public hearing on a possible data center moratorium, while a federal judge upheld Knox County’s wind/solar ban. State Budget Watch: Nebraska’s July tax receipts came slightly under forecasts, with higher-than-expected refunds easing the gap but still feeding a projected deficit.

Ballot Access Fight: Nebraska’s Secretary of State says nonpartisan gubernatorial candidate Brett Lindstrom failed to qualify after only 3,358 of 5,765 petition signatures were validated, with a “significant” number flagged as fraudulent—many tied to Lancaster County circulator fraud allegations now headed to the Attorney General. State Budget Watch: July tax receipts landed just 0.1% below forecast (about $402,000 short), while refunds stayed above expectations—still feeding a projected $208 million deficit. Election Law & Local Governance: LB1075 cleared final passage, reshaping village governance and election procedures, including a new county/municipal finance database and tighter handling of early voting records. Public Safety Tech: Flock Safety says it’s tightening license-plate reader rules—shortening data retention to seven days and adding limits on data sharing as more Nebraska communities question surveillance. Health & Food Safety: FDA/CDC began inspections at Taylor Farms’ Mexican plant tied to a cyclosporiasis outbreak now reported in Nebraska and 16 other states. Energy & Courts: A federal judge upheld Knox County’s ban on industrial wind/solar, rejecting key constitutional challenges. Healthcare Workforce: LB955 passed, allowing pharmacists to enter practice agreements with physician assistants.

Unicameral Action: Sen. John Cavanaugh backed LB852, letting counties recapture Convention Center Support Fund money if recipients move operations out of high-poverty areas within three years. Economic Development: Sen. Dan Quick voted for LB1165 (Grow the Good Life Act), expanding tax credits and creating new grants aimed at employer retention and helping cities hit by private closures or downsizing. Infrastructure & Roads: Multiple senators supported LB1126, creating an Infrastructure Development Investment Program Act to finance transportation projects through a revolving fund and revenue bonds, with the State Highway Commission setting credit policies. Workers’ Comp: Sen. Jana Hughes supported LB455, tightening injury-report rules for workers’ compensation and keeping reports confidential with limited access. Health & Care: Sen. Merv Riepe voted to remove the sunset on Nebraska’s expanded child care subsidy eligibility, while Sen. Carolyn Bosn advanced LB958, including changes to Medicaid waiver approvals and doula reimbursement. Campaign & Public Records: Sen. Tanya Storer backed LB986 to allow campaign funds for candidate security, and Sen. Victor Rountree supported LB596 updating legal notice and public-record publication rules. Education Policy: Sen. Bob Andersen voted for LB1022 to eliminate human relations training for substitute teacher certificates; Sen. Megan Hunt voted no. Agriculture Data: Sen. George Dungan backed LB525, creating agricultural data privacy and AI safety rules. Politics & Integrity: A Lancaster County petition-fraud case continues to draw scrutiny after signature fraud allegations and arrests tied to a Lincoln-focused petition effort.

Petition Fraud Fallout in Lincoln: Lincoln City Council Chair Brodey Weber is demanding answers after alleged fraudulent ballot signatures tied to the Good Government Lincoln Project, saying the “public trust” is damaged as the group restarts its push for three city ballot measures. Unicameral Oversight Cleanup: Sen. Mike Moser backed LB905, a sweeping bill that removes obsolete boards and consolidates oversight into existing agencies. Workers’ Comp Reporting Changes: Sen. Dave Murman voted yes on LB455, tightening how “reportable injuries” are defined and requiring injury reports to be filed within 10 days, with confidentiality protections. Campaign Security Allowed: Sen. John Cavanaugh supported LB986, letting campaign funds be used for candidate security services and systems. Motor Vehicle & Housing Enforcement: Sen. Rita Sanders backed LB781 to update motor vehicle/motor carrier law and penalties; Sen. Tony Sorrentino backed LB888 to change enforcement and raise modular/manufactured housing violation penalties. Victims’ Rights Update: Sen. Dunixi Guereca voted yes on LB1181, expanding victims’ rights and requiring consultation before plea deals. Adult Day Service Definition: Sen. Victor Rountree supported LB1057, redefining adult day service under the Health Care Facility Licensure Act. Energy Storage & Data Centers: Sen. Terrell McKinney backed LB1010, expanding Nebraska’s electric laws to cover energy storage and large load customers. Foreign Funding Reporting: Sen. Danielle Conrad voted yes on LB1029, expanding what counts as reportable adversarial foreign funding at colleges and requiring public posting. Victims’ Rights & Court Procedure: Sen. Carolyn Bosn backed LB1181; Sen. Wendy DeBoer opposed LB935, a broad court-fee and legal-procedure package. Gas Prices Watch: Diesel and premium gas prices in parts of Nebraska eased in the week ending Aug. 8, with Adams County’s lowest diesel reported at $4.59/gal.

Unicameral Watch: State Sen. Dan Lonowski backed LB852, letting counties recapture Convention Center Support Fund money if recipients move operations out of high-poverty areas within three years. Government Oversight: State Sen. Beau Ballard and Sen. Rick Holdcroft both voted Yes on LB1048, streamlining and cutting back a range of state agency reporting requirements and eliminating the Suggestion Award Board/employee suggestion system. Education Policy: Sen. Dave Wordekemper voted Yes on LB1022, removing “human relations” training from Nebraska substitute teacher certification. Courts & Public Safety: Sen. Myron Dorn voted Yes on LB935, reshaping court fees and procedures and adding new rules around no-contact periods and certain offenses. Workers’ Comp: Sen. Beau Ballard voted Yes on LB455, tightening injury-reporting timelines and making workers’ compensation injury reports confidential with limited exceptions. Housing Enforcement: Sen. Terrell McKinney voted Yes on LB888, increasing and restructuring penalties for modular and manufactured housing violations. Medicaid: Sen. Dunixi Guereca voted Yes on LB929, allowing managed care organizations to cover Medicaid cost-sharing. Election Law: A judge dismissed an RNC challenge to Nebraska’s overseas-voting law, leaving it in place. Federal Pressure: DOJ sued New York, Connecticut and Vermont over in-state tuition for certain immigrants, continuing a broader push that has already hit Nebraska in court.

Election Security: A top election-rights attorney warns Democrats not to assume poll workers can stop a federal takeover attempt, arguing it’s too much to ask under aggressive scenarios. Unicameral Action: Senators advanced a packed final-reading slate: LB1057 (adult day service definition), LB929 (Medicaid managed care cost-sharing), LB1022 (drop human relations training for substitute teacher certificates), LB781 (motor vehicle/motor carrier updates), LB826 (late homestead exemption eligibility), LB1212 (licensure for internationally trained physicians), and LB986 (campaign funds for candidate security). Courts & Voting: A Nebraska court dismissed an RNC lawsuit targeting overseas voters, saying the party failed to show the law is unconstitutional in all cases. Public Records/Notices: LB596 updated legal notice and public records publication rules, including allowing certain notices via qualifying digital platforms. Health Policy: LB762 requires insurance coverage for pediatric autoimmune disorders. Energy & Economy: Gas prices stayed volatile, with Seward County’s lowest premium at $4.92 (week ending Aug. 1).

Election & Local Governance: State Sen. Dave Wordekemper and Sen. Myron Dorn backed LB1075, a sweeping package that updates Nebraska election law and village governance, including new rules for special elections, candidate filings, ballot notices, recounts, and how vacant village boards handle required expenses. Child Care: Sen. Terrell McKinney voted Yes on LB304 to remove the sunset date for the federal Child Care Subsidy program, keeping eligibility expansions in place. Behavioral Health: Sen. Dan Quick advanced LB722, expanding the Behavioral Health Services Fund’s use for people with substance use disorder, including housing-related assistance for very low-income adults. Courts & Legal Practice: Sen. Dunixi Guereca voted No on LB935, which would change court fees and procedures and add new rules tied to protection orders, civil claims, and certain offenses. Government Restructuring: Sen. Stan Clouse voted Yes on LB905 to consolidate and eliminate a range of state boards, commissions, committees, task forces, and funds. Health Care Licensing: Sen. Rick Holdcroft voted Yes on LB1057 to redefine “adult day service” under the Health Care Facility Licensure Act. Foreign Threats: Sen. Eliot Bostar voted Yes on LB1096, creating biosecurity and foreign-contract restrictions tied to critical infrastructure. Public Safety/Policy: Sen. Rick Holdcroft’s LB1057 and Clouse’s LB905 are part of a broader push to tighten definitions and streamline oversight.

Nebraska Legislature Wrap: Lawmakers advanced a broad slate of bills on April 10, including LB596 over legal notices and records rules, LB781 aligning motor vehicle and carrier law with federal updates, and LB455 tightening workers’ compensation injury-report procedures while keeping those reports confidential. Housing & Local Policy: LB839 changes how cities report affordable housing under the Municipal Density and Missing Middle Housing Act, and LB1165 (Grow the Good Life Act) expands employer retention and job-incentive tax credits and grants. Health & Licensing: LB912 adopts new health workforce compacts and updates child care and health profession rules; LB1212 creates a pathway for internationally trained physicians to get licensed. Courts & Accountability: LB935 updates court fees and adds fee-shifting for frivolous civil claims, while LB852 lets counties recapture certain convention center support funds if recipients move operations. Public Safety & Privacy: LB888 increases and restructures penalties for modular and manufactured housing violations. Local Government Flashpoint: Valley County residents pushed back on Flock cameras, arguing lack of input and raising Fourth Amendment concerns, while the sheriff said courts haven’t struck them down. Campaign Trail: U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts held a Kearney stop ahead of his reelection fight with Independent Dan Osborn, teeing up a Sept. 1 State Fair debate.