Health and Human Services Committee
January 22, 2026
Committee Chair: Sen. Brian Hardin | Bills Heard: 4 | Full Transcript (PDF)
LB735: Respiratory Care Interstate Compact
Introduced by: Sen. Victor Rountree | Testimony: 2 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral
Nebraska poised to join respiratory care licensing compact, but fiscal concerns linger. The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on LB735, which would allow Nebraska to join the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact—a five-state agreement that lets licensed respiratory therapists practice across state lines using their existing license.
Why it matters: The compact would accelerate licensing for military families and border-area practitioners who currently must maintain separate licenses in multiple states. It addresses a critical healthcare workforce shortage while preserving Nebraska's regulatory authority.
What they're saying: - Proponents: The compact uses a "compact privilege" model that maintains state control over scope of practice and discipline. Heather Nichols of the Nebraska Society of Respiratory Care noted the current licensing process takes 6-8 weeks; the compact would expedite that. Marcy Wyrens, Board of Respiratory Care chair, highlighted that home care patients and border practitioners currently juggle multiple licenses. - Concerns: Sen. Riepe questioned the $38,000 fiscal note, though testimony clarified costs would be reimbursable through licensing fees. Sen. Hardin warned that Nebraska historically sets such high entry barriers for compacts that other states struggle to join, leaving Nebraska "playing by ourselves."
By the numbers: Nebraska has 1,700 licensed respiratory therapists, mostly concentrated in Lincoln and Omaha. Five states currently participate; seven others are considering it.
What's next: No vote was taken. DHHS requested an amendment delaying implementation to January 1, 2027 to secure FBI approval for background check changes.
LB736: Athletic Trainer Interstate Compact
Introduced by: Sen. Victor Rountree | Testimony: 2 proponents, 0 opponents, 3 neutral
Eight states racing to adopt athletic trainer compact; Nebraska positioned to join early wave. The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on LB736, which would allow Nebraska to join the Athletic Trainer Interstate Compact—a newly finalized agreement that lets licensed athletic trainers practice across state lines.
Why it matters: The compact addresses real workforce challenges in border communities and supports military families. Athletic trainers currently must maintain separate licenses in multiple states; the compact would streamline that process while preserving Nebraska's regulatory authority.
What they're saying: - Proponents: Cassie Metzner of the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers' Association noted that border communities like Council Bluffs require dual licensure for events. Shannon Fleming of the Board of Certification described a practitioner holding 40 state licenses and explained how the compact would simplify multi-state practice, particularly for remote health care and major events like the Olympics. - Key point: States adopting early will shape the compact's governance structure and rules.
By the numbers: Nebraska has over 500 licensed athletic trainers. Eight states have introduced AT Compact legislation; surrounding states South Dakota and Kansas are expected to follow in 2026.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Rountree closed by noting Nebraska's strong athletic programs and expressing confidence the compact will help attract superior athletic trainers to the state.
LB887: Pharmacist licensure and prescription transfer provisions
Introduced by: Sen. Bob Hallstrom | Testimony: 3 proponents, 0 opponents, 1 neutral
Pharmacy bill tackles exam timing, prescription transfers, and outdated reporting—but exam mandate draws skepticism. The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on LB887, which makes four updates to pharmacy practice law, including allowing the pharmacy law exam before graduation and enabling multiple prescription transfers between pharmacies.
Why it matters: The changes modernize pharmacy licensure to reflect how the profession actually operates. Allowing the exam before graduation helps students manage costs and strengthens job applications. Allowing multiple prescription transfers improves patient continuity of care when they relocate or face insurance changes.
What they're saying: - Proponents: Haley Pertzborn of the Nebraska Pharmacists Association explained that current law allows transfers only once, even with refills remaining, creating barriers for patients. Allison Dering-Anderson of UNMC noted that allowing the law exam before graduation addresses a shortage of testing centers and helps students split exam costs. Teri Miller of Creighton testified that five jurisdictions don't require the exam with no adverse effects. - Skeptics: Sen. Hansen questioned why the exam is mandatory when only five states require it and no problems result. He suggested making it voluntary rather than mandatory.
By the numbers: Nebraska has 1,700 licensed respiratory therapists. The pharmacy law exam costs $100 application fee + $85 eligibility check + $170 exam fee. One testifier holds nine state licenses and had to take nine exams.
What's next: No vote was taken. Testifiers requested an emergency clause for immediate effectiveness and noted amendments are pending from DHHS and the Retail Federation.
LB721: Intergenerational Care Facility Incentive Grant Program refinement
Introduced by: Sen. Dan Quick | Testimony: 2 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral
Intergenerational care grant program stalled by red tape; bill aims to fix it—but funding questions loom. The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on LB721, which would fix implementation problems with the Intergenerational Care Facility Incentive Grant Program created in 2024. The program has awarded only $100,000 of a $300,000 appropriation despite five rounds of applications.
Why it matters: Intergenerational care facilities—where nursing homes and assisted living centers co-locate childcare—address dual workforce shortages while providing emotional and cognitive benefits for seniors. The program is stalled by two barriers: the statute limits grants to start-ups, not expansions, and DHHS administratively restricted for-profit facilities despite the statute including them.
What they're saying: - Proponents: Mitchell Clark of First Five Nebraska explained that DHHS restricted for-profit facilities mid-process in February 2025, despite statute explicitly including them. Jalene Carpenter of the Nebraska Health Care Association testified that the start-up-only restriction is the primary barrier—members want to expand existing childcare centers with waitlists. - Funding concerns: Sen. Meyer and Chair Hardin warned that the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund is "more than tapped" and advised against relying on it. Hardin told all bill introducers to use General Fund instead.
By the numbers: $300,000 appropriated in 2024; $100,000 awarded; approximately 13 existing intergenerational facilities would become eligible under the bill.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Hansen suggested adding language to prevent the same facility from receiving grants multiple times. The committee expressed strong support for the concept but serious concern about funding sustainability.
Session Notes
The committee took a 5-minute break between LB736 and LB887 to allow Sen. Hallstrom to arrive. Chair Hardin made procedural announcements about testifier sheets, the 3-minute light system, and written position comment deadlines (8 a.m. day of hearing via legislature.nebraska.gov). Committee members present: Sen. Merv Riepe (District 12), Sen. John Fredrickson (District 20), Sen. Glen Meyer (District 17), Sen. Dan Quick (District 35). Legal counsel: John Duggar. Committee clerk: Barb Dorn. Pages: Sydney Cochran (UNL, history) and Demet Gedik (UNL senior, political science). Chair Hardin expressed concern about Nebraska's historically high entry barriers for interstate compacts, noting the state sometimes 'plays by ourselves on the playground.' He also issued a strong warning to all bill introducers not to bring bills relying on the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund this year, citing a $471 million budget shortfall and noting that six bills from that fund were eliminated and six or seven moved to General Fund last year.
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