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LB 58

Eliminate provisions relating to jeweler’s liens

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rita Sanders

LB 58 repeals the jeweler’s lien statute, removing a rarely used process for selling unclaimed repaired items and shifting remedies to other laws.

Approved by Governor on February 25, 2025
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Bill Summary · LB 58

Summary — LB 58 (2025)

Title: Eliminate provisions relating to jeweler’s liens
Introduced by: Sen. Rita Sanders (District 45)
Status: Approved by the Governor — February 25, 2025

Purpose / Intent

LB 58 repeals statutory provisions that created and governed a specific "jeweler’s lien" procedure. The bill’s sponsor and proponents explained these provisions were obsolete, rarely used, and created administrative difficulty for counties that had to process the related transactions.

Key provisions

  • Outright repeal of four statutory sections: Sections 52‑301, 52‑302, 52‑303, and 52‑304, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska.
  • Eliminates the state statute that allowed jewelers, silversmiths, and watch/clock repairers to impose a lien on unclaimed property when work had been performed and no payment received for one year, and to sell such property with surplus proceeds remitted to the county for eventual return to the owner.

Who is affected

  • Jewelers, silversmiths, and watch/clock repairers: the specific, statutory remedy that allowed them to retain and ultimately sell unclaimed items after one year is removed. They will need to rely on other legal remedies (e.g., contractual terms, general lien or collection procedures, or abandoned property laws) if available.
  • County governments and county officials: counties will no longer administer the sale/remittance process set out in the repealed sections, reducing an administrative task described as difficult to navigate.
  • Owners of repaired or altered property: the narrow procedural pathway in state statute for recoveries and remittances tied to jeweler’s liens is eliminated; owners’ rights will be governed by other applicable law.

Legislative and procedural timeline

  • Introduced: January 9, 2025
  • Committee hearing (Government, Military and Veterans Affairs): January 22, 2025 — advanced to General File
  • Placed on Final Reading: February 13, 2025
  • Passed Final Reading: February 21, 2025 (48–0–1)
  • Presented to Governor: February 21, 2025
  • Approved by Governor: February 25, 2025

Context and likely effects

  • The bill removes a narrowly tailored statutory procedure rather than creating new requirements. Its practical effect is to eliminate a rarely used, specialized statutory lien process; affected businesses may resort to other statutory or common‑law remedies to secure payment. Counties lose the specific administrative role tied to the repealed sections.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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