Nebraska 109th Legislature (2025-2026) Status: Enacted

LB 478 — Provide for an auction permit and a wholesalers shipping license and change other provisions of the Nebraska Liquor Control Act

Last action — Approved by Governor on April 7, 2025

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Legislature
  4. ✓
    To Executive
  5. 5
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 21, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Jim Pillen (Republican) on April 08, 2025.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 70% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

578 added · 634 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Bill LB 478 now includes the provision for an auction permit that allows auction houses to sell alcoholic liquor at auction. This means that auctioneers will have a new legal avenue to include liquor sales as part of their auctions, which could increase revenue for auction houses and offer consumers more options at auctions. The modifications also clarify the licensing processes and notification methods for local governing bodies related to liquor control, improving the overall governance of liquor sales in Nebraska.

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LB478 LB478 2025 LEGISLATURE OF NEBRASKA ONE HUNDRED NINTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION LEGISLATIVE BILL 478 FINAL READING   Introduced by GAndersen, 49;
LB478 LB478 2025 LEGISLATIVE BILL 478 Approved by the Governor April 7, 2025   Introduced by General Affairs Committee:
Holdcroft, 36, Chairperson;
Andersen, 49;
Read first time January 21, 2025 Committee:
  A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to the Nebraska Liquor Control Act;
General Affairs A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to the Nebraska Liquor Control Act;
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska, -1- LB478 LB478 2025 Section 1.
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska, Section 1.
Such fee shall be collected by the -2- LB478 LB478 2025 commission and be remitted to the State Treasurer for credit to the General Fund, except that the fee received for a shipping license issued to a beer manufacturer pursuant to this subsection shall be credited to the Nebraska Beer Industry Promotional Fund.
Such fee shall be collected by the commission and be remitted to the State Treasurer for credit to the General Fund, except that the fee received for a shipping license issued to a beer manufacturer pursuant to this subsection shall be credited to the Nebraska Beer Industry Promotional Fund.
Such fee shall be collected by the commission and remitted to the State Treasurer for credit to the Winery -3- LB478 LB478 2025 and Grape Producers Promotional Fund.
Such fee shall be collected by the commission and remitted to the State Treasurer for credit to the Winery and Grape Producers Promotional Fund.
(6) (5) The commission may issue a shipping license to any retailer who is licensed within or outside Nebraska, who is authorized to sell alcoholic liquor at retail in the state of domicile of the retailer, and who is not a manufacturer if such retailer satisfies the requirements of subsections (8) (7) through (10) (9) of this section to ship alcoholic liquor from another state directly to a consumer in this state.
-1- LB478 LB478 2025 (6) (5) The commission may issue a shipping license to any retailer who is licensed within or outside Nebraska, who is authorized to sell alcoholic liquor at retail in the state of domicile of the retailer, and who is not a manufacturer if such retailer satisfies the requirements of subsections (8) (7) through (10) (9) of this section to ship alcoholic liquor from another state directly to a consumer in this state.
and (c) That if the applicant violates any of the provisions of the application or the license, any section of the act, or any of the rules -4- LB478 LB478 2025 and regulations of the commission that apply to manufacturers, the commission may suspend, cancel, or revoke such shipping license for such period of time as it may determine.
and (c) That if the applicant violates any of the provisions of the application or the license, any section of the act, or any of the rules and regulations of the commission that apply to manufacturers, the commission may suspend, cancel, or revoke such shipping license for such period of time as it may determine.
(d) That the applicant agrees to notify the commission of any violations in the state in which he or she is domiciled and any -5- LB478 LB478 2025 violations of the direct shipping laws of any other states.
(d) That the applicant agrees to notify the commission of any violations in the state in which he or she is domiciled and any violations of the direct shipping laws of any other states.
(e) Not ship more than nine liters of alcoholic liquor per month to any person in Nebraska to whom alcoholic beverages may be lawfully sold.
(e) Not ship more than nine liters of alcoholic liquor per month to any -2- LB478 LB478 2025 person in Nebraska to whom alcoholic beverages may be lawfully sold.
and (f) Cause the direct shipment of alcoholic liquor to be by approved -6- LB478 LB478 2025 common carrier only.
and (f) Cause the direct shipment of alcoholic liquor to be by approved common carrier only.
(11) (10) By July 1, 2014, the commission shall report to the -7- LB478 LB478 2025 General Affairs Committee of the Legislature the number of shipping licenses issued for license years 2013-14 and 2014-15.
(11) (10) By July 1, 2014, the commission shall report to the General Affairs Committee of the Legislature the number of shipping licenses issued for license years 2013-14 and 2014-15.
53-124 (1) At the time application is made to the commission for a license of any type, the applicant shall pay the fee provided in section 53-124.01 and, if the applicant is an individual, provide the applicant's social security number.
53-124 (1) At the time application is made to the commission for a license of any type, the applicant shall pay the fee provided in section 53-124.01 and, if the applicant is an individual, provide the applicant's social security number.
-8- LB478 LB478 2025 Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4, and Class 5.
Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4, and Class 5.
Alcoholic liquor, including beer, for consumption off the premises, sales in the original packages only, for a retail licensee whose annual gross revenue from the sale of alcohol does not exceed twenty percent of the licensee's total annual gross revenue from all retail sales.
Alcoholic liquor, including beer, for consumption off the premises, sales in the original packages only, for a retail licensee whose -3- LB478 LB478 2025 annual gross revenue from the sale of alcohol does not exceed twenty percent of the licensee's total annual gross revenue from all retail sales.
(b) All applicable license fees shall be paid by the applicant or licensee directly to the city or village treasurer in the case of premises located inside the corporate limits of a city or village and directly to the county treasurer in the case of premises located outside -9- LB478 LB478 2025 the corporate limits of a city or village.
(b) All applicable license fees shall be paid by the applicant or licensee directly to the city or village treasurer in the case of premises located inside the corporate limits of a city or village and directly to the county treasurer in the case of premises located outside the corporate limits of a city or village.
$100 -10- LB478 LB478 2025 (3) Boat license ...
$100 (3) Boat license ...
Class Fee - In Dollars Craft brewery 250 Farm winery 250 Microdistillery 250 (9) Pedal-pub vehicle license ...
Class Fee - In Dollars Craft brewery 250 Farm winery 250 -4- LB478 LB478 2025 Microdistillery 250 (9) Pedal-pub vehicle license ...
Class Fee - In Dollars -11- LB478 LB478 2025 Class A 100 Class B 100 Class C 300 Class D 200 Class I 250 Class J 50 (12) Shipping license:
Class Fee - In Dollars Class A 100 Class B 100 Class C 300 Class D 200 Class I 250 Class J 50 (12) Shipping license:
-12- LB478 LB478 2025 (2) A notice of such application shall be served upon the manufacturer or manufacturers listed in any application for a beer wholesale license and upon any existing wholesaler licensed to sell the brand or brands in the described sales territory.
(2) A notice of such application shall be served upon the manufacturer or manufacturers listed in any application for a beer wholesale license and upon any existing wholesaler licensed to sell the brand or brands in the described sales territory.
Such forms shall contain (a) the name and residence of the applicant and how long he or she has resided within the State of Nebraska, (b) the particular premises for which a license is desired designating the same by street and number if practicable or, if not, by such other description as definitely locates the premises, (c) the name of the owner of the premises upon which the business licensed is to be carried on, (d) a statement that the applicant is a resident of Nebraska and legally able to work in Nebraska, that the applicant and the spouse of the applicant are not less than twenty-one years of age, and that such applicant has never been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a felony or been adjudged guilty of violating the laws governing the sale of alcoholic liquor or the law for the prevention of gambling in the State of Nebraska, except that a manager for a corporation applying for a license shall qualify with all provisions of this subdivision as though the manager were the applicant, except that the provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to the spouse of a -13- LB478 LB478 2025 manager-applicant, (e) a statement that the applicant intends to carry on the business authorized by the license for himself or herself and not as the agent of any other persons and that if licensed he or she will carry on such business for himself or herself and not as the agent for any other person, (f) a statement that the applicant intends to superintend in person the management of the business licensed and that if so licensed he or she will superintend in person the management of the business, and (g) such other information as the commission may from time to time direct.
Such forms shall contain (a) the name and residence of the applicant and how long he or she has resided within the State of Nebraska, (b) the particular premises for which a license is desired designating the same by street and number if practicable or, if not, by such other description as definitely locates the premises, (c) the name of the owner of the premises upon which the business licensed is to be carried on, (d) a statement that the applicant is a resident of Nebraska and legally able to work in Nebraska, that the applicant and the spouse of the applicant are not less than twenty-one years of age, and that such applicant has never been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a felony or been adjudged guilty of violating the laws governing the sale of alcoholic liquor or the law for the prevention of gambling in the State of Nebraska, except that a manager for a corporation applying for a license shall qualify with all provisions of this subdivision as though the manager were the applicant, except that the provisions of this -5- LB478 LB478 2025 subdivision shall not apply to the spouse of a manager-applicant, (e) a statement that the applicant intends to carry on the business authorized by the license for himself or herself and not as the agent of any other persons and that if licensed he or she will carry on such business for himself or herself and not as the agent for any other person, (f) a statement that the applicant intends to superintend in person the management of the business licensed and that if so licensed he or she will superintend in person the management of the business, and (g) such other information as the commission may from time to time direct.
(2) To enter or to authorize any law enforcement officer to enter at any time upon any premises licensed under the Nebraska Liquor Control Act -14- LB478 LB478 2025 to determine whether any provision of the act, any rule or regulation adopted and promulgated pursuant to the act, or any ordinance, resolution, rule, or regulation adopted by the local governing body has been or is being violated and at such time examine the premises of such licensee in connection with such determination.
(2) To enter or to authorize any law enforcement officer to enter at any time upon any premises licensed under the Nebraska Liquor Control Act to determine whether any provision of the act, any rule or regulation adopted and promulgated pursuant to the act, or any ordinance, resolution, rule, or regulation adopted by the local governing body has been or is being violated and at such time examine the premises of such licensee in connection with such determination.
(5) To examine or cause to be examined any applicant or any retail licensee, bottle club licensee, craft brewery licensee, microdistillery licensee, or entertainment district licensee upon whom notice of -15- LB478 LB478 2025 cancellation or revocation has been served as provided in the act, to examine or cause to be examined the books and records of any applicant or licensee except as otherwise provided for bottle club licensees in section 53-123.08, and to hear testimony and to take proof for its information in the performance of its duties.
(5) To examine or cause to be examined any applicant or any retail licensee, bottle club licensee, craft brewery licensee, microdistillery licensee, or entertainment district licensee upon whom notice of cancellation or revocation has been served as provided in the act, to examine or cause to be examined the books and records of any applicant or licensee except as otherwise provided for bottle club licensees in section 53-123.08, and to hear testimony and to take proof for its information in the performance of its duties.
Such hearing shall be held not more than forty-five days after the date of receipt of the notice from the commission, and after such hearing the local governing body shall cause to be recorded in the minute record of their proceedings -16- LB478 LB478 2025 a resolution recommending either issuance or refusal of such license.
Such hearing -6- LB478 LB478 2025 shall be held not more than forty-five days after the date of receipt of the notice from the commission, and after such hearing the local governing body shall cause to be recorded in the minute record of their proceedings a resolution recommending either issuance or refusal of such license.
53-162 For the purpose of raising revenue, a tax is imposed upon persons holding a shipping license issued pursuant to subsection (5) (4) or (6) (5) of section 53-123.15 who ship alcoholic liquor to individuals pursuant to section 53-192 and for which the required taxes in the state -17- LB478 LB478 2025 of purchase or this state have not been paid.
53-162 For the purpose of raising revenue, a tax is imposed upon persons holding a shipping license issued pursuant to subsection (5) (4) or (6) (5) of section 53-123.15 who ship alcoholic liquor to individuals pursuant to section 53-192 and for which the required taxes in the state of purchase or this state have not been paid.
-18- LB478 LB478 2025 (b) If the licensed manufacturer, licensed wholesaler, or holder of a shipping license is not the product manufacturer, such licensee shall also include with such form a separate letter from the product manufacturer designating such licensee as the primary source of supply in the United States or the sole source of supply in Nebraska.
(b) If the licensed manufacturer, licensed wholesaler, or holder of a shipping license is not the product manufacturer, such licensee shall also include with such form a separate letter from the product manufacturer designating such licensee as the primary source of supply in the United States or the sole source of supply in Nebraska.
(4) A retailer who is licensed within or outside Nebraska and who holds a shipping license to ship alcoholic liquor from another state directly to a consumer in this state pursuant to subsection (6) of section 53-123.15 is exempt from filing the report described in this section.
(4) A retailer who is licensed within or outside Nebraska and who holds a shipping license to ship alcoholic liquor from another state directly to a -7- LB478 LB478 2025 consumer in this state pursuant to subsection (6) of section 53-123.15 is exempt from filing the report described in this section.
(5) (3) Nothing in this section shall restrict or prohibit the importation of alcoholic liquor to a Nebraska licensed wholesaler from an affiliated wholesaler if (a) the report required by this section has previously been submitted for the alcoholic liquor product being imported, (b) the report designates the Nebraska licensed wholesaler for -19- LB478 LB478 2025 such product, and (c) the product was obtained by the affiliated wholesaler from the same primary source of supply identified on the report.
(5) (3) Nothing in this section shall restrict or prohibit the importation of alcoholic liquor to a Nebraska licensed wholesaler from an affiliated wholesaler if (a) the report required by this section has previously been submitted for the alcoholic liquor product being imported, (b) the report designates the Nebraska licensed wholesaler for such product, and (c) the product was obtained by the affiliated wholesaler from the same primary source of supply identified on the report.
53-304 Each Nebraska winery shall pay to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission twenty dollars for every one hundred sixty gallons of juice produced or received by its facility.
53-304 Each Nebraska winery shall pay to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission twenty dollars for every one hundred sixty gallons of juice produced or received by its facility.
Such expenditures may include, but are not limited to, all necessary funding for the employment of experts in the fields of viticulture and enology, as deemed necessary by the board, and programs aimed at improving the promotion of all varieties of wines, grapes, -20- LB478 LB478 2025 fruits, berries, honey, and other agricultural products and their byproducts grown and produced in Nebraska for use in the wine industry.
Such expenditures may include, but are not limited to, all necessary funding for the employment of experts in the fields of viticulture and enology, as deemed necessary by the board, and programs aimed at improving the promotion of all varieties of wines, grapes, fruits, berries, honey, and other agricultural products and their byproducts grown and produced in Nebraska for use in the wine industry.
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Action History

  1. Approved by Governor on April 7, 2025

  2. Dispensing of reading at large approved

  3. Passed on Final Reading 47-0-2

  4. President/Speaker signed

  5. Presented to Governor on April 3, 2025

  6. Placed on Final Reading

  7. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

  8. Placed on Select File

  9. Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

  10. Placed on General File

  11. Notice of hearing for February 03, 2025

  12. Referred to General Affairs Committee

  13. Date of introduction

Sponsors

  • General Affairs Committee · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 48 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • General Affairs Committee

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (48)

48 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 48 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Passed on Final Reading 47-0-2

Passed 47 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 47002
Total 47002
% of votes cast 96%0%0%4%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
McKeon — Yea
Meyer — Yea
Ashlei Spivey — Yea
Barry DeKay — Yea
Beau Ballard — Yea
Ben Hansen — Yea
Bob Andersen — Yea
Bob Hallstrom — Yea
Brian Hardin — Yea
Carolyn Bosn — Yea
Christy Armendariz — Yea
Dan Lonowski — Yea
Dan Quick — Yea
Danielle Conrad — Yea
Dave Murman — Yea
Dave Wordekemper — Yea
Dunixi Guereca — Not Voting
Eliot Bostar — Yea
George Dungan — Yea
Jana Hughes — Yea
Jane Raybould — Yea
Jared Storm — Yea
Jason Prokop — Yea
John Arch — Yea
John Cavanaugh — Yea
John Fredrickson — Yea
Kathleen Kauth — Yea
Loren Lippincott — Yea
Machaela Cavanaugh — Yea
Margo Juarez — Yea
Megan Hunt — Yea
Merv Riepe — Yea
Mike Jacobson — Yea
Mike Moser — Yea
Myron Dorn — Yea
Paul Strommen — Yea
R. Brad von Gillern — Yea
Rick Holdcroft — Yea
Rita Sanders — Yea
Robert Clements — Yea
Robert Dover — Yea
Stan Clouse — Yea
Tanya Storer — Yea
Teresa Ibach — Yea
Terrell McKinney — Not Voting
Tom Brandt — Yea
Tony Sorrentino — Yea
Victor Rountree — Yea
Wendy DeBoer — Yea

Official roll call →

Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

Passed 36 Yea · 0 Nay · 13 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 360013
Total 360013
% of votes cast 73%0%0%27%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
McKeon — Yea
Meyer — Not Voting
Ashlei Spivey — Not Voting
Barry DeKay — Yea
Beau Ballard — Not Voting
Ben Hansen — Yea
Bob Andersen — Yea
Bob Hallstrom — Yea
Brian Hardin — Yea
Carolyn Bosn — Yea
Christy Armendariz — Yea
Dan Lonowski — Yea
Dan Quick — Yea
Danielle Conrad — Not Voting
Dave Murman — Yea
Dave Wordekemper — Not Voting
Dunixi Guereca — Not Voting
Eliot Bostar — Yea
George Dungan — Yea
Jana Hughes — Yea
Jane Raybould — Not Voting
Jared Storm — Yea
Jason Prokop — Yea
John Arch — Yea
John Cavanaugh — Yea
John Fredrickson — Yea
Kathleen Kauth — Yea
Loren Lippincott — Yea
Machaela Cavanaugh — Not Voting
Margo Juarez — Yea
Megan Hunt — Not Voting
Merv Riepe — Not Voting
Mike Jacobson — Not Voting
Mike Moser — Yea
Myron Dorn — Yea
Paul Strommen — Yea
R. Brad von Gillern — Yea
Rick Holdcroft — Yea
Rita Sanders — Yea
Robert Clements — Not Voting
Robert Dover — Not Voting
Stan Clouse — Yea
Tanya Storer — Yea
Teresa Ibach — Yea
Terrell McKinney — Yea
Tom Brandt — Yea
Tony Sorrentino — Yea
Victor Rountree — Yea
Wendy DeBoer — Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety agriculture
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors LB 478?
LB 478 is sponsored by General Affairs Committee.
What is the current status of LB 478?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 21, 2025. Enacted.
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