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Nebraska senators advance bill requiring school cardiac plans and AED access amid funding debate
Summary
The Legislature advanced LB463, which would require schools to adopt cardiac emergency response plans, train certain staff on AED use and ensure AED access. Supporters called it a child-safety measure; opponents said the measure risks creating an unfunded mandate without a secure funding source.
LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Legislature advanced LB463 on a roll-call vote after senators debated whether the measure would impose an unfunded mandate on smaller school districts.
Senator Mike Ballard introduced the bill, saying it requires three core elements: a cardiac emergency response plan for each school, additional AED training for teachers, supervisors or coaches, and accessible automated external defibrillators at school venues. Ballard told colleagues stakeholders including the American Heart Association and Project ADAM had been consulted and said the bill aims to prevent deaths from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest among people under 18.
“Approximately 23,000 students under the age of 18 experience cardiac arrest outside the hospital,” Ballard said in opening remarks. He also cited high-profile instances of on-field cardiac arrest and a local constituent whose life was saved by an AED.
Supporters praised the bill’s life‑saving potential but acknowledged concerns about paying for implementation. Senator Duncan said he supported the policy goals but pressed for clarity on the proposed funding source, the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund, noting public statements and reports gave conflicting indications about whether any dollars would be available and expressing concern that the fund had been described both as empty and as being able to support a $3 million distribution for other programs.
Opponents, including Senator Clements and Senator Jacobson, argued the bill as written could saddle small or rural school districts with costs they cannot absorb. Clements read a local school-board letter that characterized the bill as addressing a problem “that does not exist across the board” and urged a red vote without a reliable funding mechanism.
Ballard said he was working on amendments to reduce the risk of an unfunded mandate and that he had a select-file amendment to revise the funding language and to allow private grants and other sources to help pay costs. After extended floor debate and a roll‑call vote, senators approved advancement to E & R initial, 25 ayes to 15 nays. The bill will be eligible for amendment on select file.
The clerk recorded a formal roll-call after the body was placed under call to ensure a quorum for the vote. Next steps: LB463 moves to select file where the sponsor said he expects to offer language altering funding mechanics and addressing the three‑minute AED retrieval concern raised by colleagues.
The session also produced related administrative notices on committee hearings and bill drafting deadlines, and the Legislature adjourned at the end of the day.
