Zach Wendling

Nebraska lawmakers reflect on, look ahead from contentious 2023 legislative session • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska lawmakers in the Legislature were invited to review the 2023 session and offer a preview into what they're looking ahead to in 2024.

This is one of my favorite projects after long sessions, with a near 100% participation rate and more senators responding than when I first did this all-49 response wheel in 2023. Expect at least one more 49-senator review on a different topic later this year. nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/07/12/n...

Nebraska lawmakers reflect on 2025 session, look ahead to 2026 • Nebraska Examiner The Nebraska Examiner invited all 49 lawmakers to review the most recent legislative session, and 43 responded as of the time of publication.

A review of Nebraska's 2025 legislative session with short reflections from 48 of our 49 state senators, including their proudest moments and early focuses heading into 2026. For @nebraskaexaminer.com nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/04/n...

Medical cannabis advocate, targeted notary running for Nebraska governor • Nebraska Examiner A grassroots advocate for medical cannabis at the center of some Nebraska state officials’ efforts against the drug is running for governor.

Jacy Todd, a longtime advocate for medical cannabis, is running for the Republican nomination for governor in 2026 in a challenge to Gov. Jim Pillen. Todd is also among those targeted in legal efforts against Nebraska's medical cannabis laws. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/08/m...

Nebraska K-9s injured in line of duty newly authorized for EMS care, transportation • Nebraska Examiner A new state law authorizes emergency medical services care and transportation for Nebraska K-9s if ever injured in the line of duty.

A new state law that took effect this week authorizes emergency medical care or transportation for Nebraska K-9s injured in the line of duty. @nebraskaexaminer.com

Nebraska’s Pillen among 17 Republican governors to oppose congressional AI moratorium • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and 16 other Republican governors oppose a nationwide moratorium on state-level AI laws or regulations.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is one of 17 Republican governors opposing a federal ban on state-level AI laws or regulations, which could entangle laws that Nebraska lawmakers passed in May. @nebraskaexaminer.com

A spokesperson for the governor just now telling me: "Governor Pillen is carefully reviewing the emergency regulations and will have a decision by July 1.”

If you have any questions, tips or concerns, please keep sending them. I know how personal this is to many families — I’ve gotten more than a dozen emails in the past 24 hours. Please reach me at zwendling@nebraskaexaminer.com. Thank you. (10/10)

Here’s where the previous legal challenge stands that the Supreme Court will be considering. The same district court judge considered both challenges. (9/10) nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/26/d...

Judge dismisses federal preemption case against Nebraska medical cannabis laws • Nebraska Examiner A Lancaster County District Court judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to void Nebraska’s medical cannabis laws for violating federal law.

The attorney general and a former state senator are currently seeking to void the state laws. The Nebraska Supreme Court could hear oral arguments as early as September. Yesterday, a district court judge rejected a second lawsuit. (8/10) nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/26/j...

There will be a FORMAL regulations process moving forward later this summer that will include more public comment, including an in-person hearing, likely in September. Next Medical Cannabis Commission is Aug. 4. (7/10)

Public comment on emergency regs can still be submitted by July 15 to lcc.frontdesk@nebraska.gov. Applications can also officially be submitted as soon as the governor signs off. (6/10)

Also, the medical cannabis emergency regs are NOT in effect. The governor has NOT signed off yet as far as we know (and yes, we're asking). If/when he does, it would be for 90 days. Final regs are planning to be done by Oct. 1 — the latest licensing could begin. (5/10)

Proposal to ban most THC, consumable hemp products in Nebraska delayed until at least 2026 • Nebraska Examiner An effort backed by the Nebraska attorney general to ban most consumable hemp and THC products in the state will wait until at least 2026.

Yes, the Nebraska attorney general is cracking down on delta-8, but no, a regulatory board has not taken over that mantle. Lawmakers passed over such a bill in May, which will more than likely return in 2026, but that’s for the future, not now. (4/10) nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/05/30/p...

I still have not seen a formal copy of the emergency regs online, but here is a quickly put-together copy from me here: nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/u... (3/10)

Patients/caregivers could still possess 5 ounces of medical cannabis, including flower, smoke/vape products, food/drinks infused with cannabis, delta-8, sugar gummies. BUT the emergency regs would NOT allow Nebraska licensed dispensaries to sell those products. (2/10)

Nebraska commission approves emergency medical cannabis regulations • Nebraska Examiner The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission approved emergency regulations to soon begin accepting medical cannabis applications.

Many questions on emergency regs, so I want to uplift a few questions I’m seeing quite often. First: the regulations would NOT outlaw any forms of cannabis. The Legislature could do so, but lawmakers have not yet. 🧵 (1/10) nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/26/n...

Judge dismisses federal preemption case against Nebraska medical cannabis laws • Nebraska Examiner A Lancaster County District Court judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to void Nebraska’s medical cannabis laws for violating federal law.

CASE DISMISSED: A Lancaster County District Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to void Nebraska’s medical cannabis laws on the grounds that they violate federal laws against marijuana.

From Zach Wendling:

buff.ly/41FXcyI

Nebraska commission approves emergency medical cannabis regulations • Nebraska Examiner The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission approved emergency regulations to soon begin accepting medical cannabis applications.

MED CANNABIS REGS: The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission on Thursday approved emergency regulations to begin accepting medical cannabis applications after Gov. Jim Pillen gives a green light.

From Zach Wendling:

buff.ly/RBMGcBh

Meeting has also now been moved to the Otoe Conference Room (West) of the State Office Building. Still nothing for review.

Agenda is available at das.nebraska.gov/about/docs/N... and states "Discussion of, or Approval of, Draft Regulations." Public comment isn't scheduled until after that agenda item.

Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission could partner with DHHS ahead of July 1 deadline • Nebraska Examiner It’s unclear what requirements the commission to regulate medical cannabis in Nebraska might enact to license such operations by this fall.

It is 1.5 hours before the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission is set to meet at the Nebraska State Office Building in Lincoln and there is still no public copy of draft regulations set to be considered, either in person or online. @nebraskaexaminer.com nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/24/n...

Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission could partner with DHHS ahead of July 1 deadline • Nebraska Examiner It’s unclear what requirements the commission to regulate medical cannabis in Nebraska might enact to license such operations by this fall.

Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission will consider a legal partnership Thursday with the governor's Policy Research Office and DHHS, the latter of which has said "cannabis is not a medication." That's part of why advocates tried to work around the health agency. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/24/n...

By the numbers: Nebraska’s 2025 legislative session • Nebraska Examiner Two years after a motion-filled and filibuster-riddled session, lawmakers in 2025 settled into a new rhythm as stall tactics again dominated.

Among insights into the 89-day 2025 legislative session: 715 bills/18 constitutional amendments introduced. 347 motions. 204 bills passed (177 laws, 27 appropriations).24 bills forced to maximum debate. 2 bills vetoed. 1 constitutional amendment sent to voters. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/23/b...

Pillen confident in Nebraska budget, won’t ‘speculate’ on projected out-year hole • Nebraska Examiner Gov. Jim Pillen remains confident he can grow Nebraska and cut costs, even as the state budget could prove the “biggest challenge" of 2026.

Nebraska is projected to end its next budget (by June 2027) with $4.15 million to spare but a $129.1 million hole in the following years (by June 2029). Gov. Pillen won't "speculate" other than: "I think it will be made up." nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/23/p...

Correctional Services says new Nebraska prison bids would stay within proposed budget • Nebraska Examiner The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services says all three bids to build a new state prison would stay within its budget parameters.

Correctional Services says new Nebraska prison bids would stay within proposed $350M budget. One lawmaker’s response: “I’ll believe it when I see it.” @nebraskaexaminer.com

Pillen supports locking Nebraska clocks at permanent standard time • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has endorsed which way the state should lock the clocks, putting his weight behind permanent standard time.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has taken a position in which way Nebraska should lock its clocks if the twice-annual tradition ends: permanent standard time. @nebraskaexaminer.com

Nebraska property taxes remain Pillen’s top focus, with few strategy changes after recent defeats • Nebraska Examiner Gov. Jim Pillen continues to seek more property tax relief, but he’s not significantly modifying his strategy after past efforts stalled.

Property taxes remain a focus for many Nebraskans, especially as valuations have been going out. For Gov. Jim Pillen, they’re top of mind, too, but he’s not shifting from his sales tax mindset to fund property tax relief. @nebraskaexaminer.com nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/16/n...

‘We made a mistake': Pillen accepts responsibility for failed vetoes to Nebraska budget • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen accepted responsibility for mishandled line-item vetoes to the state’s two-year budget for 2025-27.

We’ve worked for some more answers on what happened the night that Nebraska Gov Jim Pillen tried to line-item veto the state’s next budget but lawmakers said didn’t follow the constitution. Here’s what we know now. @nebraskaexaminer.com nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/07/w...

Pillen's desire for ‘cannabis experience’ on board led to Nebraska Liquor Commission vacancy • Nebraska Examiner A new vacancy on the three-member Nebraska Liquor Control Commission came at the governor's request for more “cannabis experience."

EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Jim Pillen’s desire for more “cannabis experience” in drafting new regulatory and dispensary licensing criteria led to a vacancy on the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. First in @nebraskaexaminer.com nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/05/p...

Nebraska judges again likely to receive pay raises, consistent since 2005 • Nebraska Examiner The state’s 148 judges are again likely to receive salary bumps over the next two fiscal years, as they’ve had for 31 of the past 36 years.

Nebraska judges appear likely to be getting another pay raise as the salaries for constitutional officers (executive branch) and state lawmakers (legislative branch) continue to lag behind. @nebraskaexaminer.com nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/05/27/n...