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Legislative committee reviews 2025 session outcomes; LB306 passes without items OPS opposed
Summary
The board’s legislative committee summarized the 2025 Nebraska Legislature session: LB89 signed (modified), LB303 creates a school financing commission with OPS representation, LB306 passed but did not include several provisions OPS opposed, and LB653 was not called for debate; the committee is not asking board action at this time.
The Omaha Public Schools legislative committee reported to the board on June 16 regarding recent actions in the Nebraska Legislature and the committee’s positions during the session.
The committee noted LB 89 (Stand with Women Act) has been signed into law; the board was told the bill originally included restroom and interscholastic athletics provisions for transgender students but the restroom portion was removed and the practical impact on the district was expected mainly at the middle-school level. The committee also briefed members on LB 303, which the committee said now creates a school financing commission of 18 members that will include one member from Omaha Public Schools and one from Lincoln Public Schools; the governor will appoint certain members and some appointments are ex officio depending on position, the committee said.
The committee described LB 306 as a heavily amended, wide-ranging education bill that ultimately passed on final reading; the final version did not include bills the district had opposed (including a revised superintendent pay bill and the religious instruction release bill) but it also did not include a special education forgivable loan program the district had supported. LB 653 was not presented for debate, the committee said. Because the final versions did not include the legislation the committee had opposed, the committee is not requesting any further board positions at this time.
The report emphasized the fast pace of the final week of session and thanked lobbyists and staff for their work in Lincoln. The committee did not ask the board to take additional positions after adjournment.
