Education package that includes lottery allocations approved

A bill distributing state lottery funds to education programs received final approval from lawmakers May 30.

LB705, introduced by Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, allocates lottery funds to a number of new and existing education programs for fiscal year 2024-25 through FY2028-29, including behavioral awareness training for school personnel and grants for teachers seeking qualification to teach dual-credit courses.

The bill was amended to include provisions of more than 20 other education-related measures, including a grant program intended to recruit and retain teachers and another to fund security-related infrastructure projects for school buildings.

LB705 also prohibits Nebraska elementary schools from suspending students in kindergarten through second grade, creates a program intended to help small schools cover large, unexpected special education expenses and requires school districts to adopt specific capacity standards for acceptance and rejection of option enrollment applications.

LB705 passed on a vote of 47-0 and takes effect immediately.