[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6304086,"mediaKeyId","2469101-835a73eb8a5c89c5088359a767ac8dde","parentId",2469101,"title","Legislature backs streamlined process for small settlements to minors, raises threshold to $40,000","audioSeconds",1105,"startMs",9629000,"endMs",10734000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2469101-835a73eb8a5c89c5088359a767ac8dde&start=9629&end=10734","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2469101-835a73eb8a5c89c5088359a767ac8dde/thumbnail_9629000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6304086/Nebraska/Legislature-backs-streamlined-process-for-small-settlements-to-minors-raises-threshold-to-40000","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304086-731a0e5e0f46abd95d3bc87adf2ffe79/orig.mp4?Expires=1773679398&Signature=IUy0YoyxUTwhh6foUX8D9kqUZsuHkMs4gJS-WLEnEEDhiNPbWFwmHyizJXQ3BSPdTxPcKWSR7noUiXchnZ3JEn3Yrl2Ypj6NEqvtRM97YgG4JAkgZQDpu~nRLO13tfAn~Hb76oNPnUbjVMxtCOj2QZ9L-olirhJ7V217j~343HkHmK0N-zr40U0nmG7OCkXJT~-n4kAq76DqpimvhJSL9I0UoZsj5DCcFJC43eSL8THoI3zaF6p-UyUzmVrvoFyJoekBHLWRUHD5G1IomEwhpQFKGlsW8pvGSnWV-vuQmibwrUCny61wYAeu00Kc~Yoov36rvQMXpWXw96q~CjAKUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Legislature","date","2025-02-26T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Mervin Hallstrom introduced LB341, seeking to adopt the Nebraska Statutory Thresholds for Settlements Involving Minors Act, a model derived from the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL). The measure would allow a person with legal custody to enter into a settlement on behalf of a minor without district court approval if the settlement amount (excluding medical costs, attorney fees and costs) is at or below a statutory threshold.

The Judiciary Committee amendment (AM176), described by Senator Bosin, increases the threshold from $35,000 to $40,000 to conform with another Nebraska statute (section 30‑2603) and adjusts definitions and procedural language. The amendment also clarifies the minor’s age definition to align with other statutes (defining minor as a person under 19) and preserves an avenue to seek court approval in county court as needed.

Senator Hallstrom said the current court process to obtain a guardianship or conservatorship and court approval for a minor’s settlement is \"needlessly complicated and a waste of valuable judicial resources,\" and argued the bill would provide a faster process while retaining protections for minors. Some floor speakers, including Senator McKinney and Senator Hunt, expressed concern about situations where a minor or custodian might lack legal representation and whether vulnerable minors would receive adequate advocacy; Hallstrom and Bosin noted the bill does not prevent parties from seeking counsel and that different safeguards apply when a minor is a ward of the state.

The committee amendment was adopted on the floor (clerk recorded 35 ayes, 0 nays) and LB341 advanced to E & R initial (clerk recorded 39 ayes, 0 nays). Sponsors said the statutory change will let routine, lower‑value settlements be completed without full court proceedings while retaining protections in other scenarios.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Legislative Morning Session 2/26/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Lawmakers adopted a committee amendment to LB341 to permit custodians to settle claims for minors without court approval when the settlement is $40,000 or less and to clarify other procedural protections; the bill advanced to E & R initial.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NE, Nebraska","taxId",77675,"location","Nebraska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6304091,"Lawmakers expand immunity language and advance measure to broaden access to opioid reversal medications",463,9118000,9581000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2469101-835a73eb8a5c89c5088359a767ac8dde&start=9118&end=9581","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2469101-835a73eb8a5c89c5088359a767ac8dde/thumbnail_9118000.jpg","/articles/6304091/Nebraska/Lawmakers-expand-immunity-language-and-advance-measure-to-broaden-access-to-opioid-reversal-medications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304091-84497af27e78349a70a541e79a14352f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773679398&Signature=DfFN4ClXFySQKUyVtz~x8Qn56-TumxnfVopUqTOA8wPc1-SDvGRgaP0dkUGKYYwZDakELLuiN-dDaqlWPLTCKq4DZDBt5SxdK~js9QzM~0~qX7r0uybbioh2tdM-EvPSE3vS7AE8a9YElDm6rw7PZFWmiKcCQlw1KHFVbJqJ8T1V8OA3sP1UKu1NSZtFrRoCJn8h0FsYetqfyQPrlt7gXADceJgVMdaY8TVq7jiAdooCtneoDhT5njptr6G0cFqNQhFA1HkJs3lVWyq9W-GErJJ-qEpyAyaSOpiUYNhfPk5RuzczeppNkUZupM3Z-f7A6nhryBUBVlLeDwY5qT6a1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Amanda Meyer introduced LB195 to broaden Nebraska’s standing‑order authority for opioid overdose reversal medications, replacing brand‑specific statutory language to allow additional, medically equivalent products to be used in emergency reversal of opioid overdoses.

Meyer told colleagues that expanding the statutory language is intended to increase access to less expensive, federally approved generic opioid reversal medications, noting that newer products such as Narcan (generic naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray) have FDA approvals that post‑date older statutes. \"By including the generic prescription of naloxone in our state standing order, more lives will be saved,\" Meyer said.

The Judiciary Committee’s amendment package was considered on the floor. Senator Bosin described two technical amendments: AM02:40 broadened an immunity provision so it would include opioid reversal medications obtained over‑the‑counter as well as those obtained via prescription; AM0135 incorporated committee edits into the bill. The clerk recorded adoption of the committee amendment(s) and a floor vote advancing LB195 to E & R initial (recorded: 44 ayes, 0 nays).

Supporters framed the measure as a straightforward statutory modernization to allow Nebraska to incorporate medically equivalent, widely available reversal medications under the state standing order and to expand liability protections consistently for those distributing or administering the medications. The bill moves forward for further refinement.","LB195, which updates state statute to allow a broader set of opioid overdose reversal medications (including generics) under the state standing order, advanced after committee amendments; sponsors said the change will increase access to life‑saving drugs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6304096,"Legislature confirms natural resources and power board appointments; Transportation committee forwards underground‑excavation nominees",661,886000,1547000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2469101-835a73eb8a5c89c5088359a767ac8dde&start=886&end=1547","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2469101-835a73eb8a5c89c5088359a767ac8dde/thumbnail_886000.jpg","/articles/6304096/Nebraska/Legislature-confirms-natural-resources-and-power-board-appointments-Transportation-committee-forwards-undergroundexcavation-nominees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304096-f728cedded610179e7681b74c3ed2dde/orig.mp4?Expires=1773679398&Signature=MZXH1er0kPdHN8OKHRsLaiKmSDNbr80D~DmWxMThcL1tEvfY5N-LB5C87UuD~XCiKpwB7oVrxg3d4QKra2mfUuYKiFk8SIzJjQ75roo3O1XDTUY6oHpajAy0dnB7bFfwl4CAZfxiG53yyaNon1KJJRvue6xSojRz215bVfNoaacyttBFwN0ZWg3PDIOUdxDrwZsflj7e4xrAcY7Fpq3C0mJpulm2qrTM8XypmbxN2Vp~Nrj8XGrMtkm9tb15RIRtrLW8590b25DmrZjk5CCgf17NkQIGbc3vIzZ-bo6dv0edR7k9pbuYp2l52n-pwFC8jmFVgc9wWnJA3a4NiyrfXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Legislature adopted committee reports that advanced several gubernatorial appointments Thursday, including reappointments and a new member to the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission and a reappointment to the Nebraska Power Review Board.

Senator Brandt, speaking for the Natural Resources Committee, presented three nominees consolidated for a single vote: the reappointment of Matt (Brad) Dunbar to the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission (four‑year term), the reappointment of Craig Hutchison to the Nebraska Power Review Board, and the appointment of Matt Smallcomb to the Natural Resources Commission to fill a vacated term. Brandt summarized each nominee’s background: Dunbar as a regional manager at Lindsay Corporation representing manufacturing interests, Hutchison as a retired Navy engineer and current Power Review Board chair, and Smallcomb as city administrator of Gibbon representing municipal water users.

Senator Klaus offered floor support for the three nominations, saying of Dunbar: \"Brad is very competent\" and that Smallcomb \"understands natural resources not only, water assistance for the municipality but also, flood control and, wastewater treatment.\" The clerk recorded the adoption of the committee report (recorded: 39 ayes, 0 nays). The committee report was adopted and the nominations were advanced.

Separately, Senator Moser reported that the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee advanced five nominees to the Underground Excavation Safety Committee: Brandon Jones, James Seville, Jeffrey Grady, Aaron Krebs and Trevor Roth. Moser described the committee’s role in reviewing complaints under Nebraska’s 1‑call notification system and summarized each nominee’s background in utilities and construction. The Transportation and Telecommunications Committee report was adopted on the floor (recorded: 42 ayes, 0 nays).

The nominees advanced from committee will be considered for final confirmation in subsequent floor action. Sponsors described unanimous committee support in each case and noted there were no online comments or testifiers in opposition at the committee hearings.","The Legislature approved gubernatorial nominees to the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission and the Nebraska Power Review Board and the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee reported five nominees to the Underground Excavation Safety Committee; committee reports were adopted on the floor.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6304101,"Nebraska Legislature advances bill aiming to curb online design features targeting children after extended debate",7436,1551000,8987000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2469101-835a73eb8a5c89c5088359a767ac8dde&start=1551&end=8987","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2469101-835a73eb8a5c89c5088359a767ac8dde/thumbnail_1551000.jpg","/articles/6304101/Nebraska/Nebraska-Legislature-advances-bill-aiming-to-curb-online-design-features-targeting-children-after-extended-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304101-fcdfdfeb31a122f2ded2998e6ebbd42e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773679398&Signature=c3uQlwtJRKc9jcBPFIneZdCgGX2PYWMs73x3c1EiHKy6K-YHWMv7ahob6f8PzBs4R8NaRyKRs22yY7D32IwK2QrKUBQ7dRaFwjoSuwF7qNDVz6Te-xbzD~2blYzry2I65JgSqRrZTQUvdz5asa5GiD8HSFdqrRG7CjR-8w1Rkta9g8s5heD4HnrOqyL5U7Y1cQgaiNSAiLRS9vYSvirbYg-D2Azo~Pl3V9RnX2ThYZO~ivxc37lm2YUFunwDyLjORem9PhQwWj0eiLmOybMQHE3Nh31C-J5DCEgD8YsQ2Jm3wLeRyR3sRzhDnNtXZ6DxC3~890weg4cvjcz~HeoNMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Megan Bosin's Age‑Appropriate Online Design Code Act (LB504) advanced from general file Thursday after extensive floor debate about enforcement, rulemaking authority and technical definitions tied to online platforms and children.

Proponents said the bill addresses “algorithms for kids” and addictive design features on social media that harm young users. Opponents repeatedly raised concerns that the measure grants too much power to the attorney general, may raise First Amendment and interstate commerce issues, and leaves open how key terms will be defined and enforced.

The bill would, among other things, prohibit covered online services from using certain design features that “substantially subvert or impair user autonomy, decision making, or choice,” and imposes enforcement mechanisms that the bill assigns to the Nebraska attorney general. Senator Bosin described the measure as bipartisan and intended to present parents with the ability to control age‑appropriate defaults and protections for children.

Floor debate focused most heavily on two technical areas: (1) delegation of rulemaking to the attorney general and whether the attorney general should both create rules and later approve and enforce them; and (2) unclear or varying age thresholds in the bill’s text. Senator John Kavanaugh explained his concern about giving the attorney general rulemaking authority while that office also reviews rules under the state Administrative Procedure Act, saying that would allow the attorney general “to be the investigator, the enforcer and the judge in the process.” Several senators, including Mikaela Kavanaugh, Conrad and Fredericksen, asked whether rulemaking could be placed with another agency or be made permissive so the public retains the opportunity for hearings.

Members also probed the bill’s technical definitions. Kavanaugh asked for the bill’s definition of “dark patterns.” Bosin pointed to state statute 87‑1102 (cited in debate) and to the Federal Trade Commission’s work; she said the bill incorporates a concept of dark patterns that aligns with FTC determinations as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Other lawmakers raised enforcement and policy‑coherence questions. Senator Hunt and others flagged potential tensions with other legislation discussed in the session, including bills that affect corporate liability for data breaches; Hunt warned that expanding required data collection (for age verification, for example) while limiting consumers’ remedies could leave Nebraskans more vulnerable. Senator Conrad asked for clearer limits on a broad government exemption contained in the bill; Bosin said she was open to negotiating language on that point.

Senator John Kavanaugh filed a floor amendment (FA22) to remove the attorney general’s rulemaking authority; he later withdrew that amendment after conversations with the bill’s sponsor intending to find an alternative placement for rulemaking if it proved necessary. Kavanaugh said he had consulted the Administrative Procedure Act while preparing his amendment and remained concerned about separations of roles.

After debate and several procedural motions, the Legislature advanced LB504 to E&R initial. The record shows a voice/roll vote in favor; the clerk recorded 38 ayes and no nays on advancement. A motion to reconsider had been offered earlier and failed by a recorded nays majority (clerk recorded 29 nays, 0 ayes). Bosin closed by committing to continue working with colleagues on technical issues.

The bill now goes to the bill refinement stage; sponsors signaled openness to further amendment on rulemaking, age thresholds and certain exemptions as the measure moves toward select file.

Votes and key next steps are procedural: the Legislature advanced LB504 to E&R initial; sponsors and opponents said negotiations will continue before select file.","After hours of floor debate focused on enforcement and rulemaking, the Legislature advanced LB504, the Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act, which would restrict certain online design practices for minors; supporters and opponents clashed chiefly over rulemaking authority for the attorney general and definitions such as \"dark patterns.\"","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Legislature backs streamlined process for small settlements to minors, raises threshold to $40,000

Lawmakers expand immunity language and advance measure to broaden access to opioid reversal medications

Legislature confirms natural resources and power board appointments; Transportation committee forwards underground‑excavation nominees

Nebraska Legislature advances bill aiming to curb online design features targeting children after extended debate