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

LB 966 — Adopt the Hunger-Free Schools Act and provide for an appropriation

Last action — Presented to Governor on April 10, 2026

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

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 12, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Jim Pillen (Republican) on April 17, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 54% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Mixed recorded votes

    2 passed, 2 failed in recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

107 added · 122 removed

Plain-language change summary

The Hunger-Free Schools Act has been introduced to strengthen school meal programs in Nebraska. Key changes include the creation of a dedicated fund to support school breakfasts and lunches, as well as the establishment of new responsibilities for the State Department of Education and the State Board of Education. Additionally, the bill eliminates outdated reimbursement provisions, ensuring that every student can access healthy meals during the school day, which is crucial for their learning and development. This update underscores the commitment to nourish children effectively so they can thrive in their education.

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LB966 LB966 2026 LEGISLATURE OF NEBRASKA ONE HUNDRED NINTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION LEGISLATIVE BILL 966 FINAL READING   Introduced by Cavanaugh, M., 6;
LB966 LB966 2026 LEGISLATIVE BILL 966 Approved by the Governor April 16, 2026   Introduced by Cavanaugh, M., 6;
Read first time January 12, 2026 Committee:
  A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to schools;
Education A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to schools;
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska, -1- LB966 LB966 2026 Section 1.
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska, Section 1.
Sections 1 to 9 of this act shall be known and may be cited as the Hunger-Free Schools Act.
 Sections 1 to 9 of this act shall be known and may be cited as the Hunger-Free Schools Act.
1771 et seq., or the -2- LB966 LB966 2026 federal Richard B.
1771 et seq., or the federal Richard B.
The department shall annually reimburse each participating public school from the Hunger-Free Schools Cash Fund and each participating nonpublic school from the General Fund a portion of the cost of each eligible meal served by such school during the second preceding school fiscal year in an amount equal to the difference between the federal reimbursement rate for a free meal and the federal reimbursement rate for a reduced-price meal for each eligible meal.
 The department shall annually reimburse each participating public school from the Hunger-Free Schools Cash Fund and each participating nonpublic school from the General Fund a portion of the cost of each eligible meal served by such school during the second preceding school fiscal year in an amount equal to the difference between the federal reimbursement rate for a free meal and the federal reimbursement rate for a reduced-price meal for each eligible meal.
(1) The department shall study the efficacy of the Hunger- Free Schools Pilot Program and the impact on academic and behavioral performance of students involved in the program.
(1) The department shall study the efficacy of the Hunger-Free Schools Pilot Program and the impact on academic and behavioral performance of students involved in the program.
(b) Include data beginning with school year 2026-27 and ending with -3- LB966 LB966 2026 school year 2031-32;
(b) Include data beginning with school year 2026-27 and ending with school year 2031-32;
and (c) Be conducted in a manner that protects the identity of students and complies with state and federal privacy laws.
and (c) Be conducted in a manner that protects the identity of students and -1- LB966 LB966 2026 complies with state and federal privacy laws.
 The State Board of Education may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the Hunger-Free Schools Act.
The State Board of Education may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the Hunger-Free Schools Act.
 It is the intent of the Legislature to appropriate funds to the department necessary to administer the Hunger-Free Schools Act for any school that does not receive funds from the Hunger-Free Schools Cash Fund.
It is the intent of the Legislature to appropriate funds to the department necessary to administer the Hunger-Free Schools Act for any school that does not receive funds from the Hunger-Free Schools Cash Fund.
There is included in the appropriation to this program for FY2027-28 $55,638 General Funds and -4- LB966 LB966 2026 $1,151,180 Cash Funds for state aid, which shall only be used for such purpose.
There is included in the appropriation to this program for FY2027-28 $55,638 General Funds and $1,151,180 Cash Funds for state aid, which shall only be used for such purpose.
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Action History

  1. Presented to Governor on April 10, 2026

  2. Approved by Governor on April 16, 2026

  3. Passed on Final Reading 38-11*-0

  4. President/Speaker signed

  5. Kauth FA622 withdrawn

  6. Cavanaugh, M. AM3120 adopted

  7. Passed over

  8. Bosn AM3143 filed

  9. Bosn AM3143 adopted

  10. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

  11. Placed on Final Reading with ST99

  12. Enrollment and Review ST99 filed

  13. Enrollment and Review ST99 recorded

  14. Placed on Select File

  15. Cavanaugh, M. AM3120 filed

  16. Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

  17. Placed on General File

  18. Hunt priority bill

  19. Notice of hearing for February 17, 2026

  20. Referred to Education Committee

  21. Kauth FA622 filed

  22. Date of introduction

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 48 not signed on · 18 voted No

Sponsors (1)

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 38-11*-0

Passed 38 Yea · 11 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 381100
Total 381100
% of votes cast 78%22%0%0%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Ashlei Spivey — Yea
Barry DeKay — Yea
Beau Ballard — Yea
Ben Hansen — Nay
Bob Andersen — Yea
Bob Hallstrom — Yea
Brian Hardin — Yea
Carolyn Bosn — Yea
Christy Armendariz — Nay
Dan Lonowski — Nay
Dan Quick — Yea
Danielle Conrad — Yea
Dave Murman — Nay
Dave Wordekemper — Yea
Dunixi Guereca — Yea
Eliot Bostar — Yea
Fred Meyer — Yea
George Dungan — Yea
Glen Meyer — Yea
Jana Hughes — Yea
Jane Raybould — Yea
Jared Storm — Nay
Jason Prokop — Yea
John Arch — Yea
John Cavanaugh — Yea
John Fredrickson — Yea
Kathleen Kauth — Nay
Loren Lippincott — Nay
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 — Nay
Robert Dover — Yea
Stan Clouse — Nay
Tanya Storer — Nay
Teresa Ibach — Nay
Terrell McKinney — Yea
Tom Brandt — Yea
Tony Sorrentino — Yea
Victor Rountree — Yea
Wendy DeBoer — Yea

Official roll call →

Bosn AM3143 adopted

Failed 37 Yea · 4 Nay · 8 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 37408
Total 37408
% of votes cast 76%8%0%16%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Ashlei Spivey — Yea
Barry DeKay — Yea
Beau Ballard — Yea
Bob Andersen — Yea
Bob Hallstrom — Yea
Brian Hardin — Yea
Carolyn Bosn — Yea
Cavanaugh, J. — Not Voting
Cavanaugh, M. — Yea
Christy Armendariz — Not Voting
Dan Lonowski — Yea
Dan Quick — Yea
Danielle Conrad — Yea
Dave Murman — Yea
Dave Wordekemper — Yea
Dunixi Guereca — Nay
Eliot Bostar — Not Voting
George Dungan — Yea
Hansen, B. — Not Voting
Jana Hughes — Yea
Jane Raybould — Not Voting
Jared Storm — Yea
Jason Prokop — Yea
John Arch — Yea
John Fredrickson — Yea
Kathleen Kauth — Nay
Loren Lippincott — Not Voting
Margo Juarez — Yea
Megan Hunt — Yea
Merv Riepe — Yea
Meyer, F. — Yea
Meyer, G. — Yea
Mike Jacobson — Yea
Mike Moser — Yea
Myron Dorn — Yea
Paul Strommen — Yea
Rick Holdcroft — Yea
Rita Sanders — Yea
Robert Clements — Nay
Robert Dover — Not Voting
Stan Clouse — Nay
Tanya Storer — Yea
Teresa Ibach — Yea
Terrell McKinney — Yea
Tom Brandt — Yea
Tony Sorrentino — Yea
Victor Rountree — Yea
Wendy DeBoer — Not Voting
von Gillern — Yea

Official roll call →

Cavanaugh, M. AM3120 adopted

Failed 36 Yea · 12 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 361201
Total 361201
% of votes cast 73%24%0%2%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Ashlei Spivey — Yea
Barry DeKay — Yea
Beau Ballard — Yea
Ben Hansen — Nay
Bob Andersen — Nay
Bob Hallstrom — Yea
Brian Hardin — Nay
Carolyn Bosn — Yea
Christy Armendariz — Nay
Dan Lonowski — Yea
Dan Quick — Yea
Danielle Conrad — Yea
Dave Murman — Nay
Dave Wordekemper — Yea
Dunixi Guereca — Yea
Eliot Bostar — Yea
Fred Meyer — Yea
George Dungan — Yea
Glen Meyer — Not Voting
Jana Hughes — Yea
Jane Raybould — Yea
Jared Storm — Nay
Jason Prokop — Yea
John Arch — Yea
John Cavanaugh — Yea
John Fredrickson — Yea
Kathleen Kauth — Nay
Loren Lippincott — Nay
Machaela Cavanaugh — Yea
Margo Juarez — Yea
Megan Hunt — Yea
Merv Riepe — Yea
Mike Jacobson — Nay
Mike Moser — Yea
Myron Dorn — Yea
Paul Strommen — Yea
R. Brad von Gillern — Nay
Rick Holdcroft — Yea
Rita Sanders — Yea
Robert Clements — Nay
Robert Dover — Nay
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 →

Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

Passed 32 Yea · 7 Nay · 10 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 327010
Total 327010
% of votes cast 65%14%0%20%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Ashlei Spivey — Yea
Barry DeKay — Not Voting
Beau Ballard — Yea
Ben Hansen — Not Voting
Bob Andersen — Nay
Bob Hallstrom — Yea
Brian Hardin — Not Voting
Carolyn Bosn — Yea
Christy Armendariz — Not Voting
Dan Lonowski — Not Voting
Dan Quick — Yea
Danielle Conrad — Yea
Dave Murman — Nay
Dave Wordekemper — Yea
Dunixi Guereca — Yea
Eliot Bostar — Yea
Fred Meyer — Yea
George Dungan — Yea
Glen Meyer — Yea
Jana Hughes — Yea
Jane Raybould — Yea
Jared Storm — Nay
Jason Prokop — Yea
John Arch — Yea
John Cavanaugh — Yea
John Fredrickson — Yea
Kathleen Kauth — Nay
Loren Lippincott — Not Voting
Machaela Cavanaugh — Yea
Margo Juarez — Yea
Megan Hunt — Yea
Merv Riepe — Yea
Mike Jacobson — Nay
Mike Moser — Nay
Myron Dorn — Yea
Paul Strommen — Yea
R. Brad von Gillern — Not Voting
Rick Holdcroft — Yea
Rita Sanders — Yea
Robert Clements — Nay
Robert Dover — Yea
Stan Clouse — Yea
Tanya Storer — Not Voting
Teresa Ibach — Not Voting
Terrell McKinney — Yea
Tom Brandt — Yea
Tony Sorrentino — Not Voting
Victor Rountree — Yea
Wendy DeBoer — Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

healthcare education 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 966?
LB 966 is sponsored by Machaela Cavanaugh.
What is the current status of LB 966?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 12, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track LB 966?
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