LB 346 — Provide for termination of boards, commissions, committees, councils, funds, groups, panels, and task forces and change and eliminate funds and powers and duties of departments and agencies

Beginning July 1, -13- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 2026, one of such members shall be a city street superintendent licensed pursuant to the County Highway and City Street Superintendents Act, and the remaining representatives of municipalities shall be a city engineer, village engineer, public works director, city manager, city administrator, street commissioner, or city street superintendent licensed pursuant to the County Highway and City Street Superintendents Act;

and (c) One shall be a representative from either a Class 5, Class 6, or Class 7 county.

(5) In making such appointments, the Governor shall consult with the Director-State Engineer and with the appropriate county and municipal officials and may consult with organizations representing such officials -14- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 or representing counties or municipalities as may be appropriate.

(3) County highway superintendent means a person who engages in the -6- LB346 LB346 2025 practice of highway superintending for a county;

(a) Developing and annually updating long-range plans or programs -15- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 based on needs and coordinated with adjacent local governmental units;

(3) In making such appointments, the Governor may give consideration -16- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 to the following lists of persons licensed pursuant to the County Highway and City Street Superintendents Act:

-17- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 43-3401 (1) The Early Childhood Interagency Coordinating Council is created.

(3) Members of the Nebraska Interagency Coordinating Council serving on July 13, 2000, shall constitute the Early Childhood Interagency Coordinating -7- LB346 LB346 2025 Council and shall serve for the remainder of their terms.

The Governor shall set the initial terms of additional appointees to result in staggered terms for -18- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 members of the council.

(3) The chairperson of the Health and Human Services Committee of -19- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 the Legislature or his or her designee shall serve as chairperson of the task force.

43-420343-4203 (1) (1) The Nebraska Children's Commission shall create a committee to examine the Office of Juvenile Services and the Juvenile Services Division of the Office of Probation Administration.

-20- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 (2) The commission shall collaborate with juvenile justice specialists of the Office of Probation Administration and county officials with respect to any county-operated practice model participating in the Crossover Youth Program of the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at Georgetown University.

-8- LB346 LB346 2025 (5) The commission shall work with the office of the State Court Administrator, as appropriate, and entities which coordinate facilitated conferencing as described in section 43-247.03.

(6) The commission shall work with administrators from each of the service areas designated pursuant to section 81-3116, the teams created pursuant to section 28-728, local foster care review boards, child advocacy centers, the teams created pursuant to the Supreme Court's -21- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 Through the Eyes of the Child Initiative, community stakeholders, and advocates for child welfare programs and services to establish networks in each of such service areas.

43-4216 (1)43-4216 (1) The Foster Care Reimbursement Rate Committee is created.

(iii) a representative from an advocacy organization, the singular focus of which is issues impacting -22- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 children;

-23- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 (1) The percentage of children served and the allocation of the child welfare budget, categorized by service area, including:

(c) The number of state wards receiving behavioral health services as of -9- LB346 LB346 2025 September 1 immediately preceding the date of the report;

-24- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 (a) Case manager education, including college degree, major, and level of education beyond a baccalaureate degree;

-25- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 (b) Reasons for placement;

and -26- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 (8) (9) Information on children who are reported or suspected victims of sex trafficking of a minor or labor trafficking of a minor, as defined in section 28-830, including:

(d) The types and costs of services provided to children who are reported or suspected victims of sex trafficking of a minor or labor trafficking of a -10- LB346 LB346 2025 minor;

43-4513 (1)43-4513 (1) The Bridge to Independence Advisory Committee is created within the Nebraska Children's Commission to advise and make recommendations to the Legislature and the Nebraska Children's Commission regarding ongoing implementation of the bridge to independence program, extended guardianship assistance described in section 43-4511, and extended adoption assistance described in section 43-4512.

The Bridge to Independence Advisory Committee shall provide a -27- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 written report regarding ongoing implementation, including participation in the bridge to independence program, extended guardianship assistance described in section 43-4511, and extended adoption assistance described in section 43-4512 and early discharge rates and reasons obtained from the department, to the Nebraska Children's Commission, the Health and Human Services Committee of the Legislature, the department, and the Governor by September 1 of each year.

Section 58-202, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, is amended to read:

58-202 (1) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

(a) The high cost of agricultural loans and the general unavailability of such loans at favorable rates and terms for farmers, particularly beginning farmers, and other agricultural enterprises have resulted in decreased crop, livestock, and business productivity and prevented farmers and other agricultural enterprises from acquiring modern agricultural equipment and processes.

These problems have made it -28- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 difficult for farmers and other agricultural enterprises to maintain or increase their present number of employees and have decreased the supply of agricultural commodities available to fulfill the needs of the citizens of this state;

and (b) There exists in this state an inadequate supply of and a pressing need for farm credit and agricultural loan financing at interest rates and terms which are consistent with the needs of farmers, particularly beginning farmers, and other agricultural enterprises.

(2) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

(a) From time to time the high rates of interest charged by mortgage lenders seriously restrict existing housing transfers and new housing starts and the resultant reduction in residential construction starts causes a condition of substantial unemployment and underemployment in the construction industry;

(b) Such conditions generally result in and contribute to the creation of slums and blighted areas in the urban and rural areas of this state and a deterioration of the quality of living conditions within this state and necessitate excessive and disproportionate expenditures of public funds for crime prevention and punishment, public health and safety, fire and accident prevention, and other public services and facilities;

and (c) There exists in the urban and rural areas of this state an inadequate supply of and a pressing need for sanitary, safe, and uncrowded housing at prices at which low-income and moderate-income persons, particularly first-time homebuyers, can afford to purchase, construct, or rent and as a result such persons are forced to occupy unsanitary, unsafe, and overcrowded housing.

(3) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

(a) Adequate and reliable energy supplies are a basic necessity of life and sufficient energy supplies are essential to supplying adequate food and shelter;

-29- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 (b) The cost and availability of energy supplies has been and will continue to be a matter of state and national concern;

(c) The increasing cost and decreasing availability of energy supplies for purposes of residential heating will limit the ability of many of Nebraska's citizens to provide the basic necessities of life and will result in a deterioration in living conditions and a threat to the health and welfare of the citizens of this state;

(d) Energy conservation through building modifications including, but not limited to, insulation, weatherization, and the installation of alternative energy devices has been shown to be a prudent means of reducing energy consumption costs and the need for additional costly facilities to produce and supply energy;

(e) Because of the high cost of available capital, the purchase of energy conservation devices is not possible for many Nebraskans.

The prohibitively high interest rates for private capital create a situation in which the necessary capital cannot be obtained solely from private enterprise sources and there is a need for the stimulation of investment of private capital, thereby encouraging the purchase of energy conservation devices and energy conserving building modifications;

(f) The increased cost per capita of supplying adequate life- sustaining energy needs has reduced the amount of funds, both public and private, available for providing other necessities of life, including food, health care, and safe, sanitary housing;

and (g) The continuing purchase of energy supplies results in the transfer of ever-increasing amounts of capital to out-of-state energy suppliers.

(4) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

(a) There exist within this state unemployment and underemployment especially in areas of basic economic activity, caused by economic decline and need for diversification of the economic base, needlessly increasing public expenditures for unemployment compensation and welfare, -30- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 decreasing the tax base, reducing tax revenue, and resulting in economic and social liabilities to the entire state;

(b) Such unemployment and underemployment cause areas of the state to deteriorate and become substandard and blighted and such conditions result in making such areas economic or social liabilities harmful to the economic and social well-being of the entire state and the communities in which they exist, needlessly increasing public expenditures, imposing onerous state and municipal burdens, decreasing the tax base, reducing tax revenue, substantially impairing or arresting the sound growth of the state and the municipalities, depreciating general state and community- wide values, and contributing to the spread of disease and crime which necessitate excessive and disproportionate expenditures of public funds for the preservation of the public health and safety, for crime prevention, correction, prosecution, and punishment, for the treatment of juvenile delinquency, for the maintenance of adequate police, fire, and accident protection, and for other public services and facilities;

(c) There exist within this state conditions resulting from the concentration of population of various counties, cities, and villages which require the construction, maintenance, and operation of adequate hospital and nursing facilities for the care of the public health.

Since these conditions cannot be remedied by the ordinary operations of private enterprises and since provision of adequate hospital, nursing, and medical care is a public use, it is in the public interest that adequate hospital and medical facilities and care be provided in order to care for and protect the public health and welfare;

(d) Creation of basic economic jobs in the private sector and the promotion of health and welfare by the means provided under the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority Act and the resulting reduction of needless public expenditures, expansion of the tax base, provision of hospitals and health care and related facilities, and increase of tax revenue are needed within this state;

and -31- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 (e) Stimulation of economic development throughout the state and the provision of health care at affordable prices are matters of state policy, public interest, and statewide concern and within the powers and authority inherent in and reserved to the state in order that the state and its municipalities shall not continue to be endangered by areas which consume an excessive proportion of their revenue, in order that the economic base of the state may be broadened and stabilized thereby providing jobs and necessary tax base, and in order that adequate health care services be provided to all residents of this state.

(5) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

(a) There is a need within this state for financing to assist municipalities, as defined in section 81-15,149, in providing wastewater treatment facilities and safe drinking water facilities.

The federal funding provided for wastewater treatment facilities is extremely limited while the need to provide and improve wastewater treatment facilities and safe drinking water facilities is great;

(b) The construction, development, rehabilitation, and improvement of modern and efficient sewer systems and wastewater treatment facilities are essential to protecting and improving the state's water quality, the provision of adequate wastewater treatment facilities and safe drinking water facilities is essential to economic growth and development, and new sources of financing for such projects are needed;

(c) The federal government has acted to end the system of federal construction grants for clean water projects and has instead provided for capitalization grants to capitalize state revolving funds for wastewater treatment projects and will soon expand that to include safe drinking water facilities, and the state has created or is expected to create appropriate funds or accounts for such purpose.

The state is required or expected to be required to provide matching funds for deposit into such funds or accounts, and there is a need for financing in excess of the amount which can be provided by the federal money and the state match;

-32- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 and (d) Additional assistance can be provided to municipalities as defined in section 81-15,149 to alleviate the problems of water pollution or the provision of safe drinking water by providing for the issuance of revenue bonds, the proceeds of which shall be deposited into the Wastewater Treatment Facilities Construction Loan Fund or the comparable state fund to finance safe drinking water facilities.

Nothing in this section shall prohibit the provision of loans , including loans made pursuant to the Conservation Corporation Act, to a municipality as defined in section 81-15,149 for the construction, development, rehabilitation, operation, maintenance, and improvement of wastewater treatment facilities or safe drinking water facilities.

(6) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

(a) There is a need within this state for financing to assist public school boards and school districts and private for-profit or not-for- profit schools in connection with removal of materials determined to be hazardous to the health and well-being of the residents of the state and the reduction or elimination of accessibility barriers and that the federal funding provided for such projects is extremely limited and the need and requirement to remove such materials and to reduce or eliminate accessibility barriers from school buildings is great;

(b) The financing of the removal of such environmental hazards and the reduction or elimination of accessibility barriers is essential to protecting and improving the facilities in the state which provide educational benefits and services;

(c) The federal government has directed schools to remove such hazardous materials and to reduce or eliminate accessibility barriers;

and (d) The problems enumerated in this subsection cannot be remedied through the operation of private enterprise or individual communities or both but may be alleviated through the assistance of the authority to -33- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 encourage the investment of private capital and assist in the financing of the removal of environmental hazards and the reduction or elimination of accessibility barriers in educational facilities in this state in order to provide for a clean, safe, and accessible environment to protect the health and welfare of the citizens and residents of this state.

(7) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

(a) The rapidly rising volume of waste deposited by society threatens the capacity of existing and future landfills.

The nature of waste disposal means that unknown quantities of potentially toxic and hazardous materials are being buried and pose a constant threat to the ground water supply.

In addition, the nature of the waste and the disposal methods utilized allow the waste to remain basically inert for decades, if not centuries, without decomposition;

(b) Wastes filling Nebraska's landfills may at best represent a potential resource, but without proper management wastes are hazards to the environment and to the public health and welfare;

(c) The growing concern with ground water protection and the desire to avoid financial risks inherent in ground water contamination have caused many smaller landfills to close in favor of using higher-volume facilities.

Larger operations allow for better ground water protection at a relatively lower and more manageable cost;

(d) The reduction of solid waste at the source and the recycling of reusable waste materials will reduce the flow of waste to landfills and increase the supply of reusable materials for the use of the public;

(e) There is a need within this state for financing to assist counties, cities, villages, entities created under the Interlocal Cooperation Act and the Joint Public Agency Act, and private persons with the construction and operation of new solid waste disposal areas or facilities and with the closure, monitoring, and remediation of existing solid waste disposal areas and facilities;

(f) Financing the construction and operation of new solid waste -34- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 disposal areas and facilities and financing the closure, monitoring, and remediation of existing and former solid waste disposal areas and facilities in the state is essential to protect the environment and the public health and welfare;

(g) The federal government has directed that effective October 1, 1993, all solid waste disposal areas and facilities shall be upgraded to meet stringent siting, design, construction, operation, closure, monitoring, and remediation requirements;

and (h) The problems enumerated in this subsection cannot be remedied through the operation of private enterprise or individual communities or both but may be alleviated through the assistance of the authority to encourage the investment of private capital and to assist in the financing of solid waste disposal areas and facilities and in the removal of environmental hazards in solid waste disposal areas and facilities in this state in order to provide for a clean environment to protect the health and welfare of the citizens and residents of this state.

(8) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

(a) During emergencies the resources of political subdivisions must be effectively directed and coordinated to public safety agencies to save lives, to protect property, and to meet the needs of citizens;

(b) There exists a need for public safety communication systems for use by Nebraska's public safety agencies as defined in the Nebraska Public Safety Communication System Act;

(c) Investment in the public safety communication infrastructure is required to ensure the effectiveness of such public safety agencies.

Since the maintenance of public safety is a paramount concern but the cost of purchasing and operating multiple communication infrastructures is prohibitive, it is imperative that political subdivisions cooperate in their efforts to obtain real and personal property to establish, operate, maintain, and manage public safety communication systems;

and (d) There is a need within this state for financing to assist -35- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 political subdivisions and any entities created under the Interlocal Cooperation Act and the Joint Public Agency Act with the acquisition, construction, and operation of real and personal property of public safety communication systems.

(9) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that, as of May 27, 2005, and in connection with the financing of agricultural projects, there is a need to increase both the limit on individual net worth and the limit on the aggregate loan amount that may be provided by the authority.

Such adjustments are necessary to address the inadequate supply of and pressing need for farm credit and agricultural loan financing at interest rates and terms that are consistent with the needs of farmers, particularly beginning farmers, and other agricultural enterprises.

(10) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

(a) The amount of funding and other resources available to remedy the problems identified in this section has been, and continues to be, insufficient.

Accordingly, the authority must be provided with additional powers to adequately address the problems identified in this section with funding derived from public and private sources and state and federal sources;

(b) Carrying out the purposes of the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority Act may necessitate innovative agreements with public agencies and private entities and it is the policy of this state to encourage such public-private and intergovernmental cooperation;

and (c) Better, more broad-based sources of financing must be made available to the authority and by the authority to the private sector of the economy to enable the authority to address the problems identified in this section.

Sec.

30.

66-1605 Council means the Propane Education and Research Council -36- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 established under section sections 66-1617 and 66-1618.

31.30.

(2) Members of the council shall serve terms of four three years,years , except that, of the initial members, three shall be appointed for terms of one year and three shall be appointed for terms of two years.

Members may serve a maximum of two consecutive full terms, except that members filling unexpired terms may serve a maximum of ten seven consecutive years.

32.31.

-37-66-2001 (1) ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 66-2001 (1) The Natural Gas Fuel Board is hereby established to advise the Department of Environment and Energy regarding the promotion of natural gas as a motor vehicle fuel in Nebraska.

-11- LB346 LB346 2025 (c) One member representing the interests of the transportation industry in the state;

(3) All appointments shall be subject to the approval of a majority of the members of the Legislature if the Legislature is in session, and if the Legislature is not in session, any appointment to fill a vacancy shall be temporary until the next session of the Legislature, at which -38- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 time a majority of the members of the Legislature may approve or disapprove such appointment.

33.32.

At least one member -39- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 shall be appointed from the following disciplines:

(a) An obstetrician/obstetrician/gynecologist; gynecologist;

One-third shall serve for one-year terms, one-third shall serve for two-year terms, and one-thirdone- third shall serve for three-year terms including the members designated chairperson and vice-chairperson.

-40- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 (5) The advisory council shall meet quarterly the first two years.

-12- LB346 LB346 2025 Sec.

34.33.

35.34.

71-706 The Department of Health and Human Services shall have all powers necessary to implement the purposes and intent of sections 71-701 -41- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 to 71-707, including applying for, receiving, and administering federal and other public and private funds credited to the Women's Health Initiative Fund prior to July 1, 2026.

36.35.

71-814 (1)71-814 (1) The State Advisory Committee on Mental Health Services is created.

(2) The committee shall be responsible to the division and shall (a) serve as the state's mental health planning council as required by Public Law 102-321, (b) conduct regular meetings, (c) provide advice and assistance to the division relating to the provision of mental health services and, beginning July 1, 2026, substance use disorder services in the State of Nebraska, including, but not limited to, the development, implementation, provision, and funding of organized peer support services, (d) promote the interests of consumers and their families, -42- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 including, but not limited to, their inclusion and involvement in all aspects of services design, planning, implementation, provision, education, evaluation, and research, (e) provide reports as requested by the division, and (f) engage in such other activities as directed or authorized by the division.

37.36.

38.37.

The task force shall conduct a study to develop recommendations of which controlled substances shall be reported by a -43- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 veterinarian to the prescription drug monitoring program created under section 71-2454 when dispensing drugs from a veterinarian’s office or an animal shelter.

The task force shall utilize nationally available resources afforded by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards and the Department of State Legislative -13- LB346 LB346 2025 and Regulatory Affairs of the American Veterinary Medical Association in development of the recommendations.

(5) For purposes of this section, animal shelter has the definition -44- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 found in section 54-626.

39.38.

71-5301 For71-5301 For purposes of the Nebraska Safe Drinking Water Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

(8) (9) Water supply system means all sources of water and their -45- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 surroundings under the control of one owner and includes all structures, conduits, and appurtenances by means of which such water is collected, treated, stored, or delivered except service pipes between street mains and buildings and the plumbing within or in connection with the buildings served;

(b) Service connection does not include a connection to a system that delivers water by a constructed conveyance other than a pipe if (i) the water is used exclusively for purposes other than residential uses, consisting of drinking, bathing, cooking, and other similar uses, (ii) the department determines that alternative water to achieve the equivalent level of public health protection provided by the Nebraska Safe Drinking Water Act and rules and regulations under the act is provided for residential or similar uses for drinking and cooking, or (iii) the department determines that the water provided for residential or similar uses for drinking, cooking, and bathing is centrally treated or treated at the point of entry by the provider, a pass-throughpass- through entity, or the user to achieve the equivalent level of protection provided by the Nebraska Safe Drinking Water Act and the rules and regulations under the act.

-46- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 (c) Special irrigation district means an irrigation district in existence prior to May 18, 1994, that provides primarily agricultural service through a piped water system with only incidental residential or similar use if the system or the residential or similar users of the system comply with exclusion -14- LB346 LB346 2025 provisions of subdivision (b)(ii) or (iii) of this subdivision;

(12) (13) Community water system means a public water system that (a) serves at least fifteen service connections used by year-round residents of the area served by the system or (b) regularly serves at least twenty-five year-roundyear- round residents;

40.39.

-47-71-5310 (1) ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 71-5310 (1) The director , with the approval of the council, may authorize variances or exemptions from the drinking water standards issued pursuant to section 71-5302 under conditions and in such manner as deemed they deem necessary and desirable.

41.40.

-48- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 71-5311 (1) There is hereby established the Advisory Council on Public Water Supply which shall advise and assist the department in administering the Nebraska Safe Drinking Water Act.

A majority of -49- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 the members of the council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Every act of the majority of the members of the council -15- LB346 LB346 2025 shall be deemed to be the act of the council.

42.41.

Vacancies in the membership of the committee for any cause shall be filled by appointment by the chief -50- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 executive officer or his or her designee for the unexpired term.

43.42.

-51- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 Sec.

44.43.

71-7107 (1)71-7107 (1) The Department of Health and Human Services shall be the lead agency for the program.

-16- LB346 LB346 2025 (g) Manage planning and budget development for the program;

-52- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 (h) Manage program development and evaluation;

45.44.

(3) The State Fire Marshal shall participate in the council and committee, cooperate in providing transportation for critical incident stress management teams, recruit firefighters to be trained as critical incident stress management peers in each critical incident stress management region, participate in the training and continuing education activities of critical incident stress management peers and mental health professionals, and appoint an individual who is employed by the State -53- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 Fire Marshal to be on each regional management committee.

46.45.

47.46.

71-7110 Each71-7110 Each critical incident stress management region shall have a regional management committee composed of representatives of the Department of Health and Human Services, the State Fire Marshal, and the Nebraska State Patrol and a regional clinical director.

The regional management committee shall be responsible for -54- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 the implementation and coordination of the program in the region according to the specifications developed by the Critical Incident Stress Management Council council and Interagency Management Committee prior to July 1, 2026, and developed by the department on and after July 1, 2026.

48.47.

49.48.

-17- LB346 LB346 2025 72-812 The Vacant Building and Excess Land Committee is hereby created.

When reviewing and considering action to be taken in -55- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 regard to a particular building or piece of land, the committee shall also include a representative of the state agency responsible for the building or land as a nonvoting member.

50.49.

72-2101 The72-2101 The Governor's Residence Advisory Commission is created.

51.50.

The committee shall develop and adopt comprehensive planning guidelines and a process -56- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 of project prioritization.

-57- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 (3) No contract for the planning, design, or construction of a new facility or major modification or repair of an existing facility provided for by any state appropriation may be initiated unless an acceptable program statement has been approved by the Governor, the agency or department has submitted to the division a certificate from the Committee on Building Maintenance that there is no state-owned property which is adequate or which through cost-effective renovation, as determined by the division, could be made adequate to meet the agency's or department's needs, and the conditions of the contracts are approved in writing by the division, except that the provisions of this section shall not apply to projects when the total design and construction cost of the project is less than the limit established by the division.

A subsequent review and report upon completion of the planning or design phase of the project shall indicate the compatibility of the project with the agency or departmental comprehensive capital facilities plan, compare the probable cost of the project with accepted -18- LB346 LB346 2025 cost standards for similar construction projects, and review the relationship of the project to other state agency or departmental capital facilities in the same complex.

52.51.

53.52.

Section 81-1348, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, is -58- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 amended to read:

81-134881-1348 There There is hereby created the Suggestion Award Board.

(1) The first term from the bargaining units listed in subdivisions (1)(a),(1) (a), (b), and (l) of such section;

(2) The second term from the bargaining units listed in subdivisions (1)(c),(1) (c), (d), and (g) of such section;

(3) The third term from the bargaining units listed in subdivisions (1)(e),(1) (e), (f), and (h) of such section;

and (4) The fourth term from the bargaining units listed in subdivisions (1)(i),(1) (i), (j), and (k) of such section.

54.53.

Section 81-1430, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, is -59- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 amended to read:

The department task force shall work with local businesses and nonprofit entities associated with the prevention of human trafficking to voluntarily place additional signs in high schools, postsecondary -60- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 educational institutions, gas stations, hotels, hospitals, health care clinics, urgent care centers, airports, train stations, bus stations, and other locations around the state deemed appropriate by the department task force.

-19- LB346 LB346 2025 (f) The chief of police or director of public safety of a city of less than two hundred thousand inhabitants as determined by the most recent federal decennial census or the most recent revised certified count by the United States Bureau of the Census;

and -61- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 (o) Six members, at least three of whom shall be women, from the public at large.

Thereafter, all members shall serve six-six-year year terms.

The chairperson shall be the chief executive officer of the task force but may delegate such of his or her duties to other members of the task force as may be authorized -62- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 by the task force.

55.54.

81-1431 (1)81-1431 (1) It is the intent of the Legislature that law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, public defenders, judges, juvenile detention center staff, and others involved in the juvenile justice system and the criminal justice system and other relevant officials be provided mandatory training regarding issues in human trafficking.

-63- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 (b) Methods used in identifying victims of human trafficking who are United States citizens and foreign nationals, including preliminary interview techniques and appropriate questioning methods;

(f) The necessity of treating victims of human trafficking as crime -20- LB346 LB346 2025 victims rather than as criminals;

56.55.

(c) methods to partner with -64- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 political subdivisions, private industry, and private, nonprofit organizations to most successfully address waste management issues in the state;

57.56.

Beginning July 1, 2026, the duties of the commission under the Nebraska Emergency Planning -65- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 and Community Right to Know Act shall be carried out by the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.

58.57.

81-15,238 For purposes of the Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Contractors Certification and System Registration Act, the -66- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 definitions in sections 81-15,240 81-15,239 to 81-15,244 shall be used.

59.58.

-21- LB346 LB346 2025 (1) Seven members appointed by the director as follows:

60.59.

(2) Advise the department on proposed rules and regulations relating -67- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 to the Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Contractors Certification and System Registration Act;

61.60.

and -68- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 (vii) Any other expenses that the committee determines are necessary to incur.

62.61.

(v) The temporary placement of the new statue in the Rotunda of the United -22- LB346 LB346 2025 States Capitol for the unveiling ceremony;

-69- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 (vi) The unveiling ceremony;

63.62.

-70- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 (s) One person representing fire safety;

64.63.

65.64.

85-164385-1643 (1) (1) The Private Postsecondary Career Schools Cash Fund is -71- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 created.

(3) Fees for out-of-state schools may include, but shall not exceed the -23- LB346 LB346 2025 following:

(4)(a) Prior to July 1, 2026, the The board shall consult with the advisory council established pursuant to section 85-1607 regarding any -72- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 increase in fees under the act.

66.65.

67.66.

(3) Review and adopt policies to provide incentives for investments -73- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 in information technology infrastructure services;

(5) Adopt guidelines regarding project planning and management and administrative and technical review procedures involving state-owned or state-supportedstate- supported technology and infrastructure.

-74- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 (10) Adopt schedules and procedures for reporting needs, priorities, and recommended projects;

68.67.

(2) The technical panel shall review any technology project presented to -24- LB346 LB346 2025 the Nebraska Information Technology Commission including any recommendations by working groups established under sections 86-512 to 86-524.

69.68.

-75- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 (1) The availability, quality, and affordability of broadband telecommunications service is important to the residents of Nebraska;

70.69.

A representative of the agribusiness community, a representative of the -76- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 Nebraska business community, a representative of the regulated wireline telecommunications industry, a representative of the wireless telecommunications industry, a representative of the public power industry, a representative of health care providers, a representative of Nebraska postsecondary educational institutions, and a representative of rural schools offering kindergarten through grade twelve.

The advisory groups may be composed of representatives of stakeholder groups which may include, but not necessarily be limited to, representatives from small and large wireline companies, wireless companies, public power districts, electric cooperative corporations, cable television companies, Internet service providers, low-incomelow- income telecommunications and electric utility customers, health care providers, and representatives of educational sectors.

(b) Examine the role of the Nebraska Telecommunications Universal Service Fund in bringing comparable and affordable broadband services to rural residents and any effect of the fund in deterring or delaying -77- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 capital formation, broadband competition, and broadband deployment;

-25- LB346 LB346 2025 (f) Make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature as to the most effective and efficient ways that federal broadband rural infrastructure funds received after July 1, 2018, should be expended if such funds become available;

(6) For purposes of this section, broadband services means high-high-speed speed telecommunications capability at a minimum download speed of one hundred megabits per second and a minimum upload speed of one hundred megabits per second, and that enables users to originate and receive -78- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 high-quality voice, data, and video telecommunications using any technology.

71.70.

72.71.

Section 7574 of this act becomes operative on July 1, 2026.

72.

Original sections 2-1801, 2-1803, 2-1826, 2-4901, 2-5001, 2-5003, 38-204, 38-205, 38-308, 38-310, 38-605, 38-703, 38-904, 38-2213, 38-2214, 38-2306, 66-1605, 66-1618, 71-705, 71-706, 71-814, 71-815, 71-2454.01, 71-5311, 71-7102, 71-7107, 71-7108, 71-7109, 71-7110, 72-811, 72-812, 72-2101, 81-1108.41, 81-1348, 81-1430, 81-1431, 81-15,159.01, 81-15,210, 81-15,238, 81-15,245, 81-15,246, 82-703, 82-706, 85-1008, 85-1607, 85-1643, 86-511, 86-516, 86-521, 86-1101, 86-1102, and 86-1103, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, and sections 38-167, 38-2120, 38-2216, 39-2106, 39-2301.01, 39-2304, 43-3401, 43-4001, 43-4203, 43-4216, 43-4406, 43-4513, 66-2001, 71-702, 71-5301, 71-5310, and 71-7012, Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024, are repealed.

Sec.

OriginalThe sectionsfollowing 2-1801, 2-1803, 2-1826, 2-4901, 2-5001, 2-5003, 38-204, 38-205, 38-308, 38-310, 38-605, 38-703, 38-904, 38-2213, 38-2214, 38-2306, 58-202, 66-1605, 66-1618, 71-705, 71-706, 71-814, 71-815, 71-2454.01, 71-5311, 71-7102, 71-7107, 71-7108, 71-7109, 71-7110, 72-811, 72-812, 72-2101, 81-1108.41, 81-1348, 81-1430, 81-1431, 81-15,159.01, 81-15,210, 81-15,238, 81-15,245, 81-15,246, 82-703, 82-706, 85-1008, 85-1607, 85-1643, 86-511, 86-516, 86-521, 86-1101, 86-1102, and 86-1103, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, and sections 38-167, 38-2120, 38-2216, 39-2106, 39-2301.01, 39-2304, 43-3401, 43-4001, 43-4203, 43-4216, 43-4406, 43-4513, 66-2001, 71-702, 71-5301, 71-5310, and 71-7012, Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024, are repealed.outright repealed:

Sections 38-2307, 43-4003, 50-601, 50-602, 50-603, 66-1617, 71-4501, 71-4502, 71-4503, and 81-15,239, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, and section 71-4504, Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024.

Sections -79- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 2-4201, 2-4202, 2-4203, 2-4204, 2-4205, 2-4206, 2-4207, 2-4208, 2-4209, 2-4210, 2-4211, 2-4212, 2-4213, 2-4214, 2-4215, 2-4216, 2-4217, 2-4218, 2-4219, 2-4220, 2-4221, 2-4222, 2-4223, 2-4224, 2-4225, 2-4226, 2-4227, 2-4228, 2-4229, 2-4230, 2-4231, 2-4232, 2-4233, 2-4234, 2-4235, 2-4236, 2-4237, 2-4238, 2-4239, 2-4240, 2-4241, 2-4242, 2-4243, 2-4244, 2-4245, 2-4246, 38-2307, 43-4003, 50-601, 50-602, 50-603, 66-1617, 71-4501, 71-4502, 71-4503, and 81-15,239, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, and sections 43-1306 and 71-4504, Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024.

Sec.

75.

The following sections are outright repealed:

2.-26-

Strike beginning with "government" on page 1, line 1, through page 3, line 20, and insert "government;

to amend sections 2-1801, 2-1803, 2-1826, 2-4901, 2-5001, 2-5003, 38-204, 38-205, 38-308, 38-310, 38-605, 38-703, 38-904, 38-2213, 38-2214, 38-2306, 58-202, 66-1605, 66-1618, 71-705, 71-706, 71-814, 71-815, 71-2454.01, 71-5311, 71-7102, 71-7107, 71-7108, 71-7109, 71-7110, 72-811, 72-812, 72-2101, 81-1108.41, 81-1348, 81-1430, 81-1431, 81-15,159.01, 81-15,210, 81-15,238, 81-15,245, 81-15,246, 82-703, 82-706, 85-1008, 85-1607, 85-1643, 86-511, 86-516, 86-521, 86-1101, 86-1102, and 86-1103, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, and sections 38-167, 38-2120, 38-2216, 39-2106, 39-2301.01, 39-2304, 43-3401, 43-4001, 43-4203, 43-4216, 43-4406, 43-4513, 66-2001, 71-702, 71-5301, 71-5310, and 71-7012, Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024;

to provide, change, eliminate, and transfer powers, duties, and membership of boards, commissions, committees, councils, task forces, panels, and departments as prescribed;

to provide for termination of the advisory council for the Private Postsecondary Career School Act, the Advisory Council on Public Water Supply, the Board of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, the Board of Alcohol and Drug Counseling, the Board of Examiners for County Highway and City Street Superintendents, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Advisory Committee, the Bridge to -80- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 Independence Advisory Committee, the Chief Standing Bear National Statuary Hall Selection Committee, the Children's Behavioral Health Task Force, the Climate Assessment Response Committee, the Critical Incident Stress Management Council, the Foster Care Reimbursement Rate Committee, the Governor's Residence Advisory Commission, the Interagency Management Committee, the Natural Gas Fuel Board, the Nebraska Aquaculture Board, the Nebraska Potato Development Act, the Nebraska Potato Development Committee, the Nebraska Safety Center Advisory Council, the Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Advisory Committee, the Rural Broadband Task Force, the solid waste management advisory committee, the State Advisory Committee on Substance Abuse Services, the State Comprehensive Capital Facilities Planning Committee, the State Emergency Response Commission, the Suggestion Award Board, the task force on human trafficking, the technical panel for the Nebraska Information Technology Commission, the Vacant Building and Excess Land Committee, the Veterinary Prescription Monitoring Program Task Force, the Willa Cather National Statuary Hall Selection Committee, the Women's Health Initiative Advisory Council, and the Women's Health Initiative Fund;

to change provisions relating to the Board of Mental Health Practice, the Board of Nursing, the Board of Public Roads Classifications and Standards, the Critical Incident Stress Management Act, the Department of Administrative Services, the Department of Environment and Energy, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, the Early Childhood Interagency Coordinating Council, the Nebraska Children's Commission, the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, the Nebraska Information Technology Commission, the Propane Education and Research Council, the State Advisory Committee on Mental Health Services, and the State Board of Education;

to change and eliminate funds;

to eliminate the Children and Juveniles Data Feasibility Study Advisory Group, the Conservation Corporation Act, the Nebraska Conservation Corporation, the Palliative Care and Quality of Life Act, the Whiteclay Public Health Emergency Task -81- ER61 ER61 LB346 LB346 JNH - 05/05/2025 JNH - 05/05/2025 Force;

to eliminate obsolete provisions;

to harmonize provisions;

to provide operative dates;

to repeal the original sections;

and to outright repeal sections 2-4201, 2-4202, 2-4203, 2-4204, 2-4205, 2-4206, 2-4207, 2-4208, 2-4209, 2-4210, 2-4211, 2-4212, 2-4213, 2-4214, 2-4215, 2-4216, 2-4217, 2-4218, 2-4219, 2-4220, 2-4221, 2-4222, 2-4223, 2-4224, 2-4225, 2-4226, 2-4227, 2-4228, 2-4229, 2-4230, 2-4231, 2-4232, 2-4233, 2-4234, 2-4235, 2-4236, 2-4237, 2-4238, 2-4239, 2-4240, 2-4241, 2-4242, 2-4243, 2-4244, 2-4245, 2-4246, 38-206, 38-2307, 43-4003, 50-601, 50-602, 50-603, 66-1617, 71-4501, 71-4502, 71-4503, 71-7105, 71-7106, and 81-15,239, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, and sections 43-1306 and 71-4504, Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024.".

-82-