Nebraska
108th Unicam update: Day 5 bills propose restructuring Nebraska health department, tax credits for rail, workforce projects
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – State senators filed 30 pieces of legislation on Tuesday.
Here’s a quick look at which senators submitted bills on Day 5:
Below is a look at a few bills that caught our attention on Tuesday:
State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont wants to eliminate the eliminate the Department of Health and Human Services and create three departments instead: the Department of Children and Family Services to oversee protections and child welfare services; the Department of Public Health to administrate community health programs and services; and the Department of Healthcare to oversee hospitals and other behavioral services for those with mental illness.
State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln wants to compel school districts to meet specified student-teacher ratios for certain classrooms, particularly special education.
State Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner wants to provide tax credits for shortline railroad projects.
State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington wants to exempt those younger than age 19 from having to pay certain court costs and fees; and change some aspects of the state juvenile code regarding pretrial diversion programs, appointed counsel, and guardians. State Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue also proposed adjusting how juvenile court districts are created and administered.
State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln wants to restrict insurance coverage of epinephrine injectors and inhalers. He also wants to adjust the eligibility requirements outlined in the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act.
State Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams wants to revise state biodiesel tax credits and require that gas stations provide E-15 fuel at half of all pumps.
State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil wants to adopt the Online Age Verification Liability Act, deliniating requirements and restrictions for online businesses regarding material that is harmful to minors.
State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha proposed designating funds to the Department of Labor to provide $2 million in grants for to expand facilities that focus on workforce development and career readiness.
PREVIOUS UNICAMERAL SUMMARIES
SESSION AT A GLANCE
6 News has been tracking the topics of the bills being filed — and who’s been filing — since the start of the 108th Legislature’s second session. The interactive graphics below will give you a quick glimpse of the most popular words showing up in the bill summaries to date, and give you a sense of who’s been the most active filer so far.
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Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said Thursday that he has asked President Donald Trump to issue a major disaster declaration for damage caused by storms that hit the state May 15-18.
The storms spawned tornadoes and flash flooding across Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Thayer and Thurston counties. There were numerous downed power poles and lines as well as extensive damage to schools, building and roadways. Damage just to public infrastructure is estimated at nearly $5 million.
In addition to the disaster declaration request, Pillen said he also has requested access to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides funding to governments to allow them to rebuild in ways that will reduce or mitigate future disaster losses. Approval would allow the state to apply for such grants.
Thursday’s disaster declaration request is the second in two months. Back in May, Pillen requested one for historic wildfires in March that impacted Arthur, Garden, Grant, Lincoln and Morill counties. At the time of the request, it was estimated there was at least $9.7 million in damage from the fires, which were the worst in Nebraska’s history.
Nebraska
Bandits back in the win column with tournament-opening victory in Nebraska – East Idaho News
OMAHA, Neb. – The Bandits opened the Omaha, Nebraska tournament with a 7-4 win over Fremont.
The Bandits, coming off two losses to Billings at last week’s Bandits Invitational, trailed 4-3 in the fifth, but tied it up on a sac fly by Cole Croft.
They scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth for the win.
Carter Bowen finished 3 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Conner Cannon and Taye Lords each knocked in two runs for Idaho Falls (10-2).
Tyson Christenson picked up the win with four innings of relief.
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LOWELL, Neb. (WOWT) – On this day in 1872, the boomtown of Lowell, Nebraska was named the seat of Kearney County.
The Nebraska State Historical Society says the Burlington and Missouri River Railroads chose it as a town site the year before.
For a short time, it became a major shipping point for central Nebraska.
Its status would be short-lived.
Later that year, the railroad expanded to Kearney, which became the center for regional trading.
Lowell’s land office was removed in 1874.
Four years later, the boom town was nothing more than a village.
MORE LOCAL HISTORY
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On July 4, 2026, our country will celebrate its 250th birthday. Every day leading up to it, First Alert 6 will take a look at the people and events that shaped our area.
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Copyright 2026 WOWT. All rights reserved.
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