Legislative Bill 35 requires all accredited schools in Nebraska to install secure master key boxes to allow law enforcement emergency access. The responsibility for installation falls on the school board or governing body, which must work with local law enforcement to determine the appropriate location for the boxes. The state school security director will oversee compliance and has expanded duties to assess school security and recommend minimum standards. The bill also modifies existing provisions related to the School Safety and Security Fund and introduces a competitive grant program for security-related infrastructure projects, including funding for the key boxes.

To support these initiatives, the bill appropriates $10 million from the Cash Reserve Fund, with $1 million specifically allocated for the secure master key boxes through a subaccount within the School Safety and Security Fund. The State Treasurer is mandated to transfer this amount as soon as feasible after the bill's effective date. Additionally, the bill expresses the Legislature's intent to transfer $200 million from the Cash Reserve Fund to the General Fund between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027, contingent on maintaining a Cash Reserve Fund balance above 16% for the fiscal year 2026-27. The bill also repeals several original sections of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska to enhance school safety funding while ensuring fiscal responsibility.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 79-3108, 79-3109, 84-612