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Nebraska - Adjournment Graphic

Nebraska adjourned its 2018 legislative session sine die on April 18, and Governor Pete Ricketts (R) finished acting on the bills sent to his desk on April 23. Although senators agreed to take an additional $100 million from the state’s cash reserve fund after passing the state’s budget (NE LB 944, NE LB 945 and NE LB 946), little was done to address the issue of property tax relief. Additionally, the unicameral legislature passed the Occupational Board Reform Act (NE LB 299), which aims to loosen occupational licensing regulations in the state.

Legislative Highlights

  • Governor Ricketts approved Nebraska’s budget on April 4, which included a 1-percent cut to the University of Nebraska and a provision establishing pro-life restrictions on the usage of Title X funds.
  • The legislature was unable to come to an agreement on a property tax relief plan but succeeded in adjusting income tax brackets and personal exemption credits.
  • Occupational licensing reform proponents saw much success this legislative session as bills that aimed to eliminate licensing requirements for occupations, such as abstracters, bus drivers, and animal massage practices, were signed into law.
  • The governor’s licensing reform efforts saw its culmination with the signing of the Occupational Board Reform Act, which will require legislative standing committees to perform annual reviews of the state’s occupational regulations.

Election Preview

Nebraska voters go to the polls on May 15 for top-two primaries and again on November 6 for the general election. After completing his first term, Governor Ricketts will be seeking reelection, facing one Republican in the primary and one of the three Democrats who are vying for the right to challenge him in the general election. Democrats have failed to win a gubernatorial race in Nebraska since 1994 and pundits continue to see Nebraska as a safe election for Republicans. November statewide elections will also be held for the attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, board of education, and the public service commission.

November 6 will also see 24 of 49 seats up for election in Nebraska’s unicameral legislature. To break up the Republicans supermajority, Democrats would need to gain three additional seats in November. Additionally, those elected this November will serve through 2022, giving them a key role in redistricting after the 2020 census.