[{"_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",6083468,"mediaKeyId","2934737-23755e22179f11116aeca4aee6e8151f","parentId",2934737,"title","Nebraska senators debate Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act amid First Amendment and implementation concerns","audioSeconds",351,"startMs",6249000,"endMs",6600000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2934737-23755e22179f11116aeca4aee6e8151f&start=6249&end=6600","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2934737-23755e22179f11116aeca4aee6e8151f/thumbnail_6249000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6083468/Nebraska/Nebraska-senators-debate-Age-Appropriate-Online-Design-Code-Act-amid-First-Amendment-and-implementation-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083468-cf62c5bdc7968e8b75261f60014ba5e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500158&Signature=J6KCiyhh0DLvfmLAQkaqg7lgNExj3i3sjuMSOOCmXrV8nTOLhroGap2-V7dFBcTz8iagI-jEQTiSiaJtIW1CWG~ujab2KCVGfUI88atRoDlchI0~NzsQB2NhRKsKPDpc6Szy621KquWdNEmujmUPUX6OJkgEvsDRSblRo1tXs~NHMSNuxqYUxFaQrEsbl7fzdEUN9K89hKrlffsmPiSXTdNveHG7pi6e6-DJF3mDsS7W~Pq8~SuIHHRFvGsfwImQHZ9zpVqSdg2YUAVpj60K5UPHx8QLLnirZCmjWqggNLcIQ7wKFLDKRhDLmFBmmwrptWDhIk5ryhEHlPrhZyFw8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Legislature","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","Senators debated Legislative Bill 504, the Age‑Appropriate Online Design Code Act, and an amendment (AM 8 56) that substantially revised the bill’s definitions, requirements and enforcement provisions.

The bill’s introducer, Senator Boson, said the measure aims to “put up guardrails that allow for kids to be kids and to dip their toe in the water” of online services while protecting minors from harms she and others described, including bullying, depression and increased screen time. Boson summarized key changes in AM 8 56, saying the amendment removed several provisions that opponents had flagged — including design‑impact reporting requirements — and narrowed the bill to apply to “known minors” using an “actual knowledge” standard rather than to all services “likely to be accessed by minors.”

Why it matters: proponents and several lawmakers described growing evidence that some social platforms can harm young users and said state safeguards are needed because national solutions are slow. Opponents and several senators warned the measure still raises serious First Amendment and vagueness questions and could impose substantive content‑curation or default‑setting obligations on platforms that courts have found constitutionally sensitive.

Major points of debate

- Scope and definitions: Boson said AM 8 56 replaces a broader coverage test with five prerequisites that limit the set of covered services and adds an “actual knowledge” approach for identifying minors. She told colleagues the amendment also adds a definition of “dark patterns” and removes a previously proposed “reasonably likely to be accessed by minors” test.

- Defaults and tools: AM 8 56 requires covered services to provide “accessible and easy to use tools” to limit exposure and to establish default settings for those protections. Boson and supporters said the requirement is to make protective tools available and configurable; Boson argued it does not force platforms to impose the settings on every minor but to make them available as defaults that can be enabled. Senator Dungan and others expressed concern that subsection language about default settings could be read to require platforms to set protective modes by default and thereby dictate content curation.

- First Amendment risk and litigation history: multiple senators cited NetChoice v. Bonta and the litigation over California’s parallel statute as evidence that content‑based restrictions of online services face constitutional scrutiny. Senator Dungan and others noted recent injunctions and a pending trial in federal court related to the California experience and said that history counsels caution.

- Enforcement and penalties: AM 8 56 replaced proposed rulemaking and reporting language with a civil enforcement scheme that gives covered services a cure period. Senators asked whether penalties would create a private right of action and how any civil penalties would be allocated; Senator John Kavanaugh suggested clarifying that fine revenue comply with Nebraska constitutional provisions for fines and penalties.

- Implementation timeline: Boson said AM 8 56 sets an operative date of Jan. 1, 2026, with a six‑month cure period intended to allow companies time to comply.

What was not decided

Floor debate on AM 8 56 and LB504 continued through the transcript but did not include a recorded final vote on the amendment or the underlying bill in the provided segment. Multiple senators indicated support for the amendment as a compromise step while reserving judgment on the final bill.

Voices and positions

- Senator Boson (bill sponsor) said the amendment narrows the bill and removes the most constitutionally sensitive provisions; she urged colleagues to support AM 8 56 as a child‑safety measure.
- Senator Dungan (Banking, Commerce & Insurance) said he remained “hesitant” because of First Amendment and content‑curation concerns but appreciated changes made in AM 8 56.
- Senator John Kavanaugh said he supported portions of the amendment that removed attorney‑general rulemaking authority and that he had suggested clarifying language about disposition of fines.
- Senator Conrad and others urged careful drafting to avoid content‑based restrictions and flagged NetChoice v. Bonta as a cautionary precedent.

Next steps

Debate continued; the transcript ends without a recorded final vote on AM 8 56 or LB504. Sponsors said they would keep working to refine language and to address allocation and constitutional questions before any final action.

Ending: The bill remained on Select File with debate ongoing in the provided transcript segment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Legislative Morning Session 4/8/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senators debated Legislative Bill 504, the Age‑Appropriate Online Design Code Act, and an amendment (AM 8 56) that substantially revised the bill’s definitions, requirements and enforcement provisions.","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},6083453,"At a glance: committee confirmations and report adoptions recorded on the floor",642,725000,1367000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2934737-23755e22179f11116aeca4aee6e8151f&start=725&end=1367","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2934737-23755e22179f11116aeca4aee6e8151f/thumbnail_725000.jpg","/articles/6083453/Nebraska/At-a-glance-committee-confirmations-and-report-adoptions-recorded-on-the-floor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083453-fe9783ce70acb5b25bdccbd56c85ad78/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500158&Signature=iQoHelJfkyi8bHGity3eEP~IO0qL65HxyHj9l9~RMWBeNW5BiuUxJINxzbtr6knaySgulg81MpUKujaM3xw3OjwwFCYwgiZrj8j-d-oC9mSLV6p9mRsquXfqphdnw9shavBQfawTebfMG4uHSwhMbuAdvrxzJeVFvvGAiNZXH-CcdCqwXBlzcNcqTEimNbHZ~Vh5YgA60uWYIv2wVki5Cc69YwrqR1FiNOfxTUL8oyR3wBwjUjbdt2X8lWwHf1-OqjLK2lXqgbYO-oVKgXi-ge5aOeTUmip9YgWr59DRM39YhSFsgA-kJ7Evdspx~k0dG9-Q0LuZ-SiUF2oYSpAn3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the session the clerk read a series of committee reports on gubernatorial appointments and other business. The Legislature adopted multiple committee reports and confirmed numerous nominees by voice or recorded vote during the floor segment captured in the transcript.

Key recorded committee report adoptions and confirmation tallies (as recorded in the transcript):

- Health & Human Services report on gubernatorial appointments (Rural Health Advisory Commission nominees): adoption recorded as \"33 ayes, no nays.\" (clerk entry at 00:22:27)
- Health & Human Services report on State Board of Health confirmations: adoption recorded as \"30 ayes, no nays.\" (clerk entry at 00:29:19)
- Health & Human Services report (Health Information Technology Board appointment): adoption recorded as \"29 ayes, no nays.\" (clerk entry at 00:31:32)
- Health & Human Services report on Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing appointments: adoption recorded as \"34 ayes, no nays.\" (clerk entry at 00:36:50)
- Business & Labor committee report (Department of Labor commissioner appointment): adoption recorded as \"28 ayes, no nays.\" (clerk entry at 00:40:05)
- Natural Resources committee report (Game and Parks Commission appointment): adoption recorded as \"30 ayes, no nays.\" (clerk entry at 00:47:18)
- Government, Military & Veterans Affairs committee report (Nebraska Tourism Commission): adoption recorded as \"29 ayes, no nays.\" (clerk entry at 00:55:22)
- General Affairs committee report (Nebraska Arts Council appointments): adoption recorded as \"31 ayes, no nays.\" (clerk entry at 01:14:35)

What this means: The floor actions recorded in the transcript show a string of routine committee reports and confirmations advanced and adopted, largely by unanimous or lopsided margins. Several individual nominees were named on the floor during roll calls or committee reports; the transcript provides lists of nominees and brief biographical summaries presented by committee chairs.

Record and provenance: The clerk’s roll entries recorded the tallies above at the times noted. The transcript text names nominees being reported to the floor (for example, appointments to the Nebraska Rural Health Advisory Commission, State Board of Health, Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Game and Parks Commission, Nebraska Tourism Commission, Nebraska Arts Council and others).","Floor minutes record multiple committee reports and gubernatorial appointment confirmations adopted by voice or roll call; several votes were recorded for committee report adoptions during the session.",{"_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},6083458,"Senators advance school cell‑phone policy bill after committee work and student testimony",532,4378000,4910000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2934737-23755e22179f11116aeca4aee6e8151f&start=4378&end=4910","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2934737-23755e22179f11116aeca4aee6e8151f/thumbnail_4378000.jpg","/articles/6083458/Nebraska/Senators-advance-school-cellphone-policy-bill-after-committee-work-and-student-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083458-63ceee6ac95febce0abcd73d377dd1c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500158&Signature=UyIdYpH1cvzE3Wu-aWAQOYnShG2ty9tQDqdfvLashDxmIgg3qw~FKZJfJnpoKmMmvu5SKLnJynFJ95pC2GcrHEsKeP3ROQEUTcaSoyfT-g2526be172IDTRaBQf4vHlOuIgT5HFlloMeeLncoBZ-HVbBmtBuO411kVFbiOq88v6OIXrBeN20NmGanGt9ncy1J9jlZjPYR0PiiKfqRxGZKxnZx2IgIjrEDRNyem0G7ZzSY1YOXzkVcRlPwPk~K8Pe5Sjg0WFbjxuGvII5IxYoVIMizVe4wSTxualpbY6cp-Is51sBGHQYvYTfu9SCQ-Q6hSB9PW0QnP0Jj~WAYWwtNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Legislators voted to advance Legislative Bill 140 to engrossing after floor debate that highlighted committee hearings, student testimony and district experience with cell‑phone policies.

Sponsor and committee process: The motion to advance LB 140 to E & R was made on the floor by Senator Grama and supported by Senator Conrad, who described the education committee’s hearing and local polling of districts. Conrad said committee work gathered testimony from school leaders, the attorney general and students, and produced a committee amendment clarifying exceptions and implementation details.

Why sponsors support it: Conrad said the committee learned that “the statistic that was brought forward at the committee level was something north of 80% of our schools had some sort of cell phone restriction or cell phone policy in place, already.” Supporters described the bill as an effort to codify common practices so that instructional time is protected while allowing exceptions for students with medical needs or other accommodations.

Floor action: After debate the motion to advance LB 140 for engrossing carried by voice vote; the clerk recorded the bill as advanced.

Implementation notes: Senators emphasized that the bill was shaped by local feedback and committee amendments that consider special‑needs exceptions, emergency access and teacher discretion. School districts will be responsible for aligning local policy with any state standard adopted later.

Ending: LB 140 was advanced to E & R for engrossing on Select File; further amendments or a final vote could follow future floor sessions.","LB140, a bill addressing cell‑phone use during instructional time, was advanced to engrossing after supporters said committee hearings and student testimony shaped a committee amendment; sponsors and committee members noted most Nebraska districts already have policies but that the bill clarifies state standards and exceptions.",{"_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},6083463,"Senate adopts amendment requiring parental notice, opt‑out for certain student surveys",1276,4930000,6206000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2934737-23755e22179f11116aeca4aee6e8151f&start=4930&end=6206","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2934737-23755e22179f11116aeca4aee6e8151f/thumbnail_4930000.jpg","/articles/6083463/Nebraska/Senate-adopts-amendment-requiring-parental-notice-optout-for-certain-student-surveys","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083463-ef71bd38cfe0fa19978f3073bfad03ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500158&Signature=XB1OaoxpbxL~fNJzemyehhGutok9x7qRqKIW6VR~o0M8FFlf7Fs3w5JuWmo0g4bMEjo3aixo4Vv7zl5qMx8dq2j0s6btU09iwUiz1QGT7RcLWw9U1wGNz1j4oyKuIBVqkU5wwl5sR4VZ5CunGHregd7dmV-XIXpgeYa79-tqn4i7c7BcMk0XEWUxeBkqBC2-F4BEZCChx8DuGZn4ecpND5XV-M7PPJL3q~PTKco38gVX8hR6qngNMXcbUB0xGFSjJxpbb11dLMan7FxHaxkWlVCTuD1KmHxbK3tIt5u-HhTKsEWaX364JfDRzfXqOJTTz2POXO1DIRpsirPPKLbzlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Legislature adopted an amendment to Legislative Bill 428 that requires schools to notify parents before certain surveys asking students about sensitive personal topics and gives parents an opportunity to opt their child out.

Sponsor and amendment: Senator Merman introduced AM 8 0 3 to clarify that schools must notify parents at least 15 days before a survey covering sensitive topics is administered to minors and must provide information about who is conducting the survey, how the data will be used and how it will be protected. Merman said the change aligns the bill with the federal Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment and preserves schools’ ability to use anonymous surveys for population‑level questions such as vaping or alcohol use without extra steps.

Floor debate and examples: Senator Conrad supported the amendment and the underlying bill, saying the education committee had heard from students and school leaders and that “the statistic that was brought forward at the committee level was something north of 80% of our schools had some sort of cell phone restriction or cell phone policy in place, already,” as part of a wider conversation about technology and schools. Senators asked sponsors to ensure the bill did not unduly burden districts or prevent useful anonymous public‑health polling.

Votes and action: The body voted to adopt AM 8 0 3; the clerk recorded 36 ayes, no nays on the amendment. Later in the session Senators moved and the body advanced LB 428 for engrossing at E & R.

What the amendment does and does not do

- Requires a 15‑day parental notice and an opt‑out option for surveys that ask minors about sexual behavior, mental health, religion, political affiliation or similarly sensitive matters.
- Exempts anonymous surveys used for public‑health monitoring (for example vaping/tobacco or substance‑use questionnaires) from extra notice requirements, per the amendment text.
- Clarifies alignment with federal student‑privacy protections but does not change federal law.

Speakers and attributions

Direct quotes in the debate included Senator Merman explaining mechanics: “By the school, the parents would have to be notified... we amended it to 15 days in advance.” Senator Conrad supported the amendment and cited committee testimony from students and school officials.

Next steps: With AM 8 0 3 adopted on the floor, sponsors moved LB 428 to E & R for engrossing; further implementation details will depend on rulemaking and local district procedures for notices and record‑keeping.","Senators adopted AM 803 to LB428 to require schools to notify parents at least 15 days before surveys on sensitive topics are given to students and to allow opt‑out; anonymous public‑health surveys such as vaping or substance use were exempted.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Nebraska senators debate Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act amid First Amendment and implementation concerns

At a glance: committee confirmations and report adoptions recorded on the floor

Senators advance school cell‑phone policy bill after committee work and student testimony

Senate adopts amendment requiring parental notice, opt‑out for certain student surveys