[{"_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",6253413,"mediaKeyId","3181462-a2fc45fdac7df3abe2d6a3f0b685c922","parentId",3181462,"title","Senate trims and tests juvenile-justice provisions in broader public-safety bill after floor fights","audioSeconds",1465,"startMs",8195000,"endMs",9660000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3181462-a2fc45fdac7df3abe2d6a3f0b685c922&start=8195&end=9660","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3181462-a2fc45fdac7df3abe2d6a3f0b685c922/thumbnail_8195000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6253413/Nebraska/Senate-trims-and-tests-juvenile-justice-provisions-in-broader-public-safety-bill-after-floor-fights","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253413-adf4a36a225782e64f38e9051a8b95dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974371&Signature=bbfVi0ielvFAeUg4KjjIv~o6FrfwE9EssiP83sZRfC2ze2WTB882w84eMsbq0hGT8jmIf60Z9VkdM0nbckIxeuLHT6Sg8-3IzCiewXqujEJNsxZp~dm6ENlaYvX2XegDOs1ud411ApTOs6bSlm8ba~g4un0peI-ExFd2MbijfpD~j1WbzFASNyTKXhtOxusR5S-eorakBf9A4JpUUYTE-dpfOP08MMMD1gdjwHEOT9bHUY9AhNc8UJR1g1JMOkZBh0Qq3lsQk-vzFtvu3CTVZmRmJEedEcYLOj6hb3fX~B7LPgMiX3YFvCK67x7Ud-Hpa~KxFEYZPZ7NU-FsybLzhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Legislature","date","2025-05-01T00:00:00Z","article","Lincoln — A prolonged floor debate on Thursday over juvenile-justice language included in a broader public-safety package ended with lawmakers rejecting a measure that would have created a so-called \"super predator\" category for certain juveniles and adopting a targeted compromise on electronic monitoring penalties.

Senator Julie Kaut, sponsor for the committee package (LB530 and associated provisions), told the Legislature the bill responds to concerns about excessive speeding and vulnerable road-user protections but that it also includes several related public-safety provisions negotiated in committee. The judiciary-led package was divided into multiple parts on the floor; several contested juvenile-justice sections drew extended debate and floor amendments.

What the floor did: Senator Spivey offered a series of floor amendments aimed at removing or narrowing juvenile-justice provisions she and other critics said risked harsher, long-term punishments for youth. The body rejected FA 1-63, which would have struck section 17 (the provision opponents described as creating a \"super predator\" category) on a roll call of 14 ayes, 25 nays. Spivey then proposed FA 1-64 (striking a requirement that probation generate monthly lists of juveniles for law enforcement); that amendment failed on a 12-25 vote. However, Spivey and the committee chair reached a negotiated compromise on electronic-monitor tampering: FA 1-65 replaced language that would have upgraded tampering with monitoring equipment to a felony with a compromise that keeps tampering a misdemeanor in relevant cases; FA 1-65 passed on a roll call of 37-0.

Senator Spivey framed her opposition as concern for rehabilitative outcomes for youth, particularly those from Douglas County neighborhoods she said are disproportionately affected. Speaking for the package, Senator Devanne Boson (chair, Judiciary Committee) said she would continue negotiations and emphasized that the committee would take remaining concerns through select-file work.

Other contested votes and the process: The package contained four divisions; the Senate adopted the first division (AM 12-18) and later the remaining divisions after individual floor votes. A later committee amendment (AM 12-19) concerning enhanced penalties when drug dealing results in death or serious bodily injury (the sponsor’s LB6 component) was adopted. Several proposed floor amendments to remove surveillance language were rejected while the electronic-monitor compromise was accepted as a good-faith adjustment before select-file negotiations.

Outcome: After adopting the divided committee amendments and resolving contested juvenile-justice language by floor votes, the Legislature advanced the larger public-safety bill (LB530) to E & R initial on a recorded vote of 33 ayes, no nays.

Why it matters: The votes narrow—but do not eliminate—several new sanctions and information-sharing proposals affecting juveniles on probation. Opponents warned that language creating new categories or expanding data-sharing with law enforcement could increase incarceration and chill rehabilitation; supporters said some provisions improve safety and court supervision mechanisms. Lawmakers signaled more work between general and select files to refine the balance between accountability and rehabilitation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Legislative Morning Session 5/1/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Floor votes removed a proposed \"super predator\" category and defeated several surveillance expansions while lawmakers adopted a compromise that kept tampering with electronic monitors a misdemeanor in some cases; the larger public-safety package advanced after multiple roll-call and floor-amendment votes.","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},6253417,"Senate narrows Medicaid estate-recovery rules, adds physician attestation and caregiver protections in LB641",941,6785000,7726000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3181462-a2fc45fdac7df3abe2d6a3f0b685c922&start=6785&end=7726","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3181462-a2fc45fdac7df3abe2d6a3f0b685c922/thumbnail_6785000.jpg","/articles/6253417/Nebraska/Senate-narrows-Medicaid-estate-recovery-rules-adds-physician-attestation-and-caregiver-protections-in-LB641","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253417-f7ece1aff0d0bffa091b9b2c662446a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974371&Signature=RQnd-Kx4A3ioPmxLu~dKKNKeOxOJqnJh7JbZYgyfnyQKn2Lm-qmmVqV8zVcoDq0BiC96EMmwvv8q3iZrdzr~bc7sS2GM~sFF2yhx2AQXuy5RYMgx7r-2W~jvFXoUP9aQFfPXXIzo~JRh9YUtFF-QUM8UedFsV4xy5Dh1ikfDGFsPcV~vJjfTkjX617VaxEp4AjrWHW6gKVpAngF4hmNEOC2MM~e2VXTFUQ0ehdoemZMQZ3We28JX2rLv1fEM3KpBJQb5Y5A00rEMSm-zhfLEpUw6NzvkNOGP6alQxTSTKmSqzk5OYqD0vNKf0shi-Ful1b0vZIXg9iOnve3lXGZvqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lincoln — Lawmakers on Thursday amended Legislative Bill 641 to clarify Medicaid estate-recovery procedures and add protections for relatives who provide caregiving in the family home.

Senator Fred Bostar, sponsor of LB641, said the bill aims to prevent family caregivers from losing the home they occupy while caring for a relative who later requires Medicaid-paid long-term care. Bostar told the Legislature family caregivers provide substantial unpaid work and financial contributions, and that current law can unintentionally discourage caregiving because of unclear estate-recovery rules.

What changed: The Judiciary Committee amendment AM 05-38 limited a proposed exemption to an adult child or sibling who lived in the home and provided care that delayed institutional admission; the amendment makes a written physician attestation adequate documentation that the caregiving delayed the recipient’s admission. Senator Bostar later offered AM 06-72 to restore a provision about paid or unpaid compensation for caregiving that had been struck from the earlier committee language; the floor adopted the change.

Support and evidence cited: Sponsors cited national and state data on the value of family caregiving and the cost differential between home care and nursing homes. In debate, Bostar quoted data indicating a semi-private nursing home room’s annual cost and Medicaid reimbursement figures (figures were provided in committee testimony and summarized on the floor). Advocates argued the bill would allow family members to continue providing in-home care without the risk that the home will be seized to repay Medicaid costs after the recipient’s death.

Votes and outcome: The committee amendment AM 05-38 was adopted on the floor (recorded as adopted); Senator Bostar’s corrective amendment AM 06-72 (to reinstate caregiving compensation language) was adopted on the floor. LB641 then advanced to E & R initial on a recorded vote (39 ayes, no nays).

Limitations and federal law: Sponsors acknowledged that federal Medicaid rules limit the scope of state exemptions; the committee process initially removed language that exceeded federal permissibility and the subsequent amendments restored only the elements states can allow. The Department of Health and Human Services will have rulemaking and regulatory responsibilities to implement changes if the bill becomes law.

Next steps: The bill moves to engrossing; sponsors expect rulemaking by DHHS and anticipated guidance to counties and estate-recovery administrators to implement the attestation and caregiver documentation process.","The Legislature adopted committee amendments to LB641 clarifying when a deceased Medicaid recipient's home can be foreclosed in estate-recovery actions, narrowed protected relatives, and restored language to allow compensation (paid or unpaid) for family caregivers when properly documented.",{"_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},6253421,"Senate adopts broad elections update including petition and ballot rules, advances LB521",5235,4308000,9543000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3181462-a2fc45fdac7df3abe2d6a3f0b685c922&start=4308&end=9543","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3181462-a2fc45fdac7df3abe2d6a3f0b685c922/thumbnail_4308000.jpg","/articles/6253421/Nebraska/Senate-adopts-broad-elections-update-including-petition-and-ballot-rules-advances-LB521","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253421-6610bd9ab994c46a55dca838bccdddbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974371&Signature=dANXMq6P0bPDy5nK6h77pQHI~~j6ud~IL1EWOFDE8BOL2kCxnOIJ7uSX2o0dLuNnmBApcQUW9SXIcsfOswzD2xa3jZ01HIVSuXLzhAjO-0nNatxojDGP5XJBBBaDvUfQmFKfbob1x2Bg5VUu~W9LTzMvhytN28DRMDDKqRI0CgbOmeGMXSGVbP~o5iZQO0TC~WxUJlVUk6mN~iPNc6xCDg3SQAp0ksJDyBmPl0GlONaNqnywCP78nYgk3mbMK8g75YZxIVa46zdxF0AsyxqMuthoCFxosj0M5SYH~eIt-Ob1CbfAoLNBTZ0KIwY3OLG6SGPNItStTQrudzSYJFcC9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lincoln — The Nebraska Legislature on Thursday adopted a large committee amendment to Legislative Bill 521, a government committee priority that bundles a broad set of updates to the State Elections Act.

Senator Machaela Sanders, chair of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, said AM 11-52 is a “Christmas tree” amendment that folded in four other bills the committee had already approved unanimously and made modest additional changes to streamline petitions, identify verification and vote-counting procedures.

Why it matters: LB521 updates long-standing procedures that election officials and the secretary of state recommended, standardizes forms and clarifies how petitions, signature verification and candidate objections are handled statewide. Proponents said the changes strengthen ballot integrity and reduce administrative confusion; critics warned that some provisions could chill First Amendment activity if not adjusted.

Key provisions: The adopted amendment standardizes petition forms, sets procedures for verifying petition signatures and identification envelopes, clarifies candidate filing and withdrawal processes, adjusts timing rules for special elections near legal holidays, and prescribes rules for counting-watchers and the vote-counting environment. It also adds four other committee bills into the package: LB19 (allowing cities of metropolitan and primary class to place city elections on even-year presidential/general election calendars by city charter amendment), LB238 (a narrow Open Meetings Act exemption for the Foster Care Review Advisory Committee), LB243 (correcting sunset and notice language in the Open Meetings Act) and LB659 (reforms to vote-counting-device testing and watcher/observer procedures).

Public comment and floor debate: Senator Conrad raised a specific concern about a provision that would bar petition circulation within 200 feet of a secure ballot drop box and would make violations a class 5 misdemeanor. Conrad warned the measure could “chill protected First Amendment activity” for petition circulators and noted differing drop-box locations and practices across counties. Chair Sanders and committee staff indicated they would work with colleagues on the concern going forward; the committee amendment was adopted without floor changes.

Votes and procedure: The committee amendment AM 11-52 was adopted on a recorded vote (41 ayes, no nays), and LB521 advanced to E & R initial (42 ayes, no nays). The committee reported unanimous support for the bills included in the package at their hearings.

Specific items called out on the floor: Senator John Kavanaugh explained LB19, which gives Omaha and Lincoln the option to move city elections to coincide with statewide presidential and general elections by charter amendment; Douglas County election officials told the Legislature the move could save Omaha up to $1 million in election costs. Senator Anderson described LB659’s vote-counting testing reforms, which require party representatives and technicians to participate in pre-election machine tests and require local certification to the secretary of state.

Limits and next steps: Although the committee amendment includes criminal sanctions tied to petition-distance rules, several senators asked for follow-up work to ensure enforcement won’t unintentionally penalize lawful petition circulators. Sponsors said the committee would work with election officials and the secretary of state if further technical fixes are needed as the bill proceeds to select file and final reading.","The Legislature adopted a multi-bill committee amendment to LB521 that updates Nebraska election procedures — standardizing petition forms, changing voter ID rules, clarifying counting and recount processes and adding several bills into the package — and advanced the measure to E & R initial.",{"_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},6253427,"Senate adopts package to tighten pharmacy benefit manager rules, advances LB198",1243,3026000,4269000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3181462-a2fc45fdac7df3abe2d6a3f0b685c922&start=3026&end=4269","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3181462-a2fc45fdac7df3abe2d6a3f0b685c922/thumbnail_3026000.jpg","/articles/6253427/Nebraska/Senate-adopts-package-to-tighten-pharmacy-benefit-manager-rules-advances-LB198","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253427-fa70f20302d2e37e3f187d16b40fa7c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974371&Signature=gQ3KF50vQzJneJRNxSJB8oANYcS6OXcwb4bf3NrJWgfLeVuSZ15U0jslo3P-JS04~r0ippb8a799SMhFyGir~PEhZTKJR7S-O06W2Env~BQd70TMBpCWuG-Vj0wyI55X0tz2GelBr7MrL-an56gttXxNOsF~wqTbNRWrh9gW-GWSiEqTwUkXDW3H2PlNWtRG23~Dpo9LM0e6DfNzPf9fSVR7~nPbPcLZkBJB7qsICO0R3AyjFM2nn0e-XoTvPbJORPJIbdr2MFczTWDpuDNhQZvcdPfdEhP16to42eS1D2GdImpMgqzota9Ru8xuibjoiN0R7KAEarB44-jMpZj2vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lincoln — The Nebraska Legislature on Thursday adopted a committee amendment to Legislative Bill 198 that tightens state oversight of pharmacy benefit managers and advances the bill to E & R initial.

Senator Terrell Sorrentino, sponsor of LB198, said the amended bill addresses multiple PBM business practices and “should allow substantial savings” for state Medicaid and employer-sponsored plans. The measure was amended by the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee and the floor adopted additional technical fixes before voting to advance the bill.

Why it matters: PBMs act as middlemen between insurers and pharmacies; proponents say greater transparency, prohibitions on certain contracting practices and protections for independent specialty and community pharmacies can improve patient access and lower program costs. Opponents had been concerned about unintended preemption under federal law, but sponsors said the amendment was drafted to fit within the U.S. Supreme Court’s guidance in Rutledge v. PCMA.

Most important points: The adopted committee amendment (AM 12-01 with a small clarifying change in AM 12-29) contains multiple provisions negotiated with stakeholders. Among the changes the Legislature adopted are: restrictions on mandatory direct-to-patient shipping and “white-bagging” practices for certain specialty medications; protections preventing PBMs or carriers from steering patients exclusively to affiliated pharmacies; provisions easing excessive data-reporting burdens on small specialty pharmacies; a prohibition on spread pricing in new PBM contracts beginning in 2026 and a full ban by Jan. 1, 2029; and language allowing pharmacists to decline dispensing when reimbursement is below the pharmacy’s acquisition cost without retaliation.

Senator John Jacobson, chairing the Banking and Insurance Committee during the floor debate, described the package as “the beginning of a fairly long journey” and called the amendment “the low-hanging fruit” that stakeholders had negotiated in good faith. Jacobson also filed AM 12-29, a short technical tweak clarifying the standard for “substantially similar costs,” which the floor adopted without opposition.

Supporters and process: Senator Sorrentino said the committee amendment is the product of more than a dozen stakeholder meetings, including the Nebraska Pharmacists Association, the Nebraska Hospital Association, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska and PBM trade groups. He told colleagues that the three largest PBMs—Caremark, Optum and Express Scripts—manage benefits for the majority of U.S. patients and that the bill’s changes apply to Nebraska’s Medicaid program as well.

Senator Machaela Duncan, a member of the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee, voiced support on the floor, calling the package “a really good faith step forward.” Senator Doug Hallstrom, who also spoke in favor, urged further study and noted the size of potential PBM “spreads” documented in other states’ audits.

Votes and next steps: The Legislature adopted the technical amendment AM 12-29 (moved by Senator Jacobson) by voice and later formally recorded the committee amendment AM 12-01 as adopted (roll call recorded as 37 ayes, no nays on the adoption of the committee amendment). The bill then advanced to E & R initial on a recorded vote of 39 ayes, no nays.

Context and limitations: The bill’s sponsors repeatedly referenced the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Rutledge v. PCMA as legal precedent allowing states more leeway to regulate PBMs without being preempted under ERISA. The bill’s text and committee amendment avoid prescription of plan benefits and instead regulate pricing practices, patient access and reporting. Sponsors said the bill is designed to withstand legal challenge based on current federal case law, but it does not guarantee immunity from future litigation.

What the bill does not do: The legislation does not set specific reimbursement rates for drugs, does not itself order statewide audits, nor does it mandate that PBMs adopt any particular commercial contract terms beyond the prohibitions and transparency requirements written into the amendment.

Outlook: LB198 now goes to the next legislative steps (E & R engrossing). Sponsors said they expect continued work in an interim study to examine additional PBM practices and implementation details.","The Nebraska Legislature adopted committee amendments to LB198 to expand regulation of pharmacy benefit managers, bar certain shipping mandates and phase out spread pricing; the bill passed to E & R initial after unanimous floor votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate trims and tests juvenile-justice provisions in broader public-safety bill after floor fights

Senate narrows Medicaid estate-recovery rules, adds physician attestation and caregiver protections in LB641

Senate adopts broad elections update including petition and ballot rules, advances LB521

Senate adopts package to tighten pharmacy benefit manager rules, advances LB198