Government Relations & Advocacy
The 2025 Legislative Session began Wednesday, January 8, and concluded June 2. The 2026 Session will begin Wednesday, January 7.
- WATCH: Federal Advocacy Update w/ Reg Leichty - 4/23/25 (43:00)
- READ: Legislative Notes Session Wrap-Up/Sine Die - 6/16/25
- READ: The following letter to Congressman Flood re the USDOE's withholding of $6.9B grant funding was sent to all five Federal Representatives - 7/7/25
- READ: Mandates - Updated 7/16/25
GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FINANCE COMMISSION MEETING
First Meeting: Tuesday, August 12 - 8:00 AM CT
Next Meeting: TBD
LEARN MORE
Your annual NASB Advocacy Handbook is now available.
2025 Advocacy Handbook
Key Interim Hearings currently scheduled:
(see the full list on NASB's Bills Page)
October 3rd - 1:30 PM
LR 192 - investigate public notice requirements in Nebraska, including those mandated under the Open Meetings Act and the Administrative Procedure Act
NASB Bills Page
YOUR 109th NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE LEADERSHIP
- Speaker of the Legislature - John Arch
- Education Chair - Dave Murman
- Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Chair - Rita Sanders
- Nebraska Retirement Systems Chair - Beau Ballard
- Revenue Chair - Brad von Gillern
COMMITTEE MAKE-UP
- Education: Murman, Conrad, Hughes, Hunt, Juarez, Lonowski, Meyer, Sanders
- Government: Sanders, J. Cavanaugh, Clouse, Guereca, Hunt, Lonowski, McKeon, Wordekemper
- Retirement: Ballard, Clements, Conrad, Hardin, Juarez, Sorrentino
- Revenue: von Gillern, Bostar, Dungan, Ibach, Jacobson, Kauth, Murman, Sorrentino
KEY DATES FOR 2026
ADVOCACY 2026 Rack Card (pdf)
- January 7 - Legislative Session Begins (60-Day)
- January 25-26 - Legislative Issues Conference
- TBD - Governor Pillen’s State of the State Address; Last Day of Bill Introduction; Priority Bills Announced; Final Day of Public Hearings; Full Day Floor Debate Begins; Last Day of Session
DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION (EFFECTIVE 1/1/25)
- District Classification: From 3 to 5
- School District Total Population Enrollment
- Class I = Population of fewer than 1,500
- Class II = 1,500 to 5,000
- Class III = 5,000 to 200,000
- Class IV = Lincoln Public Schools
- Class V = Omaha Public Schools
WHAT CAN THE BOARD DO?
- WATCH: Big Issues: What Can The Board Do? (17:16)
- A look at big issues that could come up in future Legislative Sessions like Parent Involvement, Curriculum Changes, Media Material, Transgender Students, Public Comment, & School Safety with Marcia Herring & Colby Coash.
OPEN MEETINGS ACT
Advocacy Handbook / Delegate Handout
Your Advocacy Handbook featuring NASB's
legislative and leadership objectives for the 2025 session and a guide for effective advocacy is now posted! This includes what your role is in the legislative process can be, tips for advocacy and engagement,
your 2025-26 State Senators, your 2025 NASB Legislation Committee, and NASB's Standing Positions. 2025 Advocacy Handbook
Call for Proposals
If there is anything you'd like to see added, amended or removed from the handbook in future years, submit your proposal at https://members.nasbonline.org/government-relations/legislative-proposals
Legislative Links
- NASB Bills Page
- Nebraska Legislature's Home Page
- Legislative Calendar
- Senator List/Contacts
- Glossary of Legislative Terms
What is Your Role?
Engaging in advocacy happens all year long. When the Legislature inserts itself into the boardroom or the classroom, lawmakers need to hear from YOU!
Advocating for LOCAL CONTROL is critical.
Here's what you can do.
STAY INFORMED
- Track the legislation that impacts your district
- Have the data that tells your story (Spending, Student Demographics, School Needs, Community Feedback)
- Attend the Legislative Issues Conference & State Education Conference
- Get updates from NASB’s Advocacy Team
KNOW THE PROCESS
- 60-Day Session Starts Wednesday, January 7, 2026
- Bill introduction is the first 10 days of the Session
- Legislative Issues Conference: January 25-26 - Lincoln
- Committee Hearings take place the first 30 days
- Priority Bills are identified mid-February
- 60-Day Session Ends around mid-April
ENGAGE
- Facilitate regular meetings with your representative
- Engage in the process; Go on Record! (Come testify, Write a letter, Send an email)
- Come to Lincoln for a Day at the Capitol
- Consider becoming one of NASB’s “expert go-to members” in an area where you can engage!
NASB CAN ASSIST YOU ... JUST ASK!
DID YOU KNOW: We LIVE Here
79% of Nebraska’s 1,700 locally elected school board members serve at or within 100 miles of where they graduated ... with over half serving in the district they graduated from. As a school
board member and community leader, you are in an excellent position to educate and influence the legislative process and are seen as a key resource on education policy for your district.
We encourage all boards to include a legislative update at their meetings and to discuss/share key legislative information within your community. Advocacy is year-round, not just during the session.
Your NASB Legislative Team
Colby Coash -
ccoash@NASBonline.org
Associate Executive Director, Director of Government Relations
Matt Belka -
mbelka@NASBonline.org
Director of Marketing, Communications & Advocacy
John Spatz -
jspatz@NASBonline.org
Executive Director
Lindsey Headrick -
lheadrick@NASBonline.org
Administrative Specialist
*NASB does not endorse candidates and does not make recommendations to members, or anyone, on whom to support for election. NASB may, from time to time, provide opportunities for candidates for elected office to meet with or communicate with its membership. Any NASB event allowing candidates for office to meet or communicate with its membership should not be considered a direct or passive endorsement of any candidate.