This bill amends sections of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska related to the Education Future Fund and the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act. It establishes new priorities for the Education Future Fund, including funding for a grant program related to the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act, which is aimed at enhancing classroom libraries and parent engagement materials. The bill specifies that the State Department of Education will develop and administer this grant program in collaboration with a qualified nonprofit organization, with a focus on supporting school districts that are underperforming or have a high percentage of students from low-income backgrounds.

Additionally, the bill outlines the requirements for the grant program, including tracking book circulation and student engagement, and mandates a report to be submitted by the State Department of Education by December 1, 2028. The bill also includes a provision for the appropriation of up to one million dollars from the Education Future Fund for the fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28 to support the program's implementation. The original sections of the statutes being amended are repealed, and the act is declared to take effect immediately due to the existence of an emergency.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 79-1021, 79-2601