When the Platte Institute set out to tackle regulatory reform in Nebraska, they developed an innovative strategy that would ultimately pass three significant reforms and lay the groundwork for even bigger victories ahead.
The Reform
The GOAT package—standing for Government Oversight, Accountability, and Transparency—was Nebraska’s comprehensive approach to regulatory reform. Deliberately named to distinguish their effort from federal and state Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiatives, it focused specifically on the legislature’s oversight role rather than executive branch reforms.
The package consisted of seven bills addressing different aspects of regulatory reform, four of which passed into law this session:
- Regular Regulatory Reviews – Codifying requirements for periodic review of all state regulations. This reform was passed into law.
- Federal Funds Inventory – requiring the state to catalog all federal funding streams and develop contingency plans in case those funds disappear. This reform was passed into law.
- Venue Freedom – allowing citizens to challenge state regulations in their local district courts rather than forcing them to travel to the state capitol in Lancaster County. This reform was passed into law.
- Office of Regulatory Management – creating a regulatory oversight office to shine a light on bad practices. This reform was tabled for 2026.
- Regulatory Advisories – Providing insight and advice on regulatory impacts. This reform was tabled for 2026.
- Board and Commission Consolidation – streamlining unnecessary state boards and commissions to close loopholes and eliminate waste. This measure was originally introduced as a part of a similar package championed by the Governor and later added to the GOAT package. This reform was passed into law.
- Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) – requiring any regulation that affects the economy by $1 million or more over five years to be reviewed by the Legislature before being rejected or approved. This reform was tabled for 2026.
While not every reform on the table passed this session, the package has set the stage for continued reform. The Platte Institute is working diligently to capitalize on the momentum created by the GOAT package and will continue to fight for change in 2026 and beyond.
The Strategy
The Platte Institute’s approach was both strategic and collaborative. Rather than attempting to pass a single, massive regulatory reform bill, they recognized that breaking reforms into digestible pieces would be more likely to succeed.
The journey began with a regulatory reform workshop held in December 2024. Working with Americans for Prosperity, the Platte Institute brought together new legislators, staff and regulatory reform experts from across the country. The workshop featured experts from SPN’s Center for Practical Federalism, the Cicero Institute, and Pacific Legal Foundation, among other organizations with experience with regulatory reform.
This collaborative approach proved crucial. The workshop didn’t just educate—it generated buy-in from legislators who could see concrete ways to improve Nebraska’s regulatory landscape. By the end of the workshop, different legislators had volunteered to champion specific pieces of the package.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the GOAT package’s success was its bipartisan appeal. Despite Nebraska’s conservative-leaning legislature, the package passed without Democratic opposition. This wasn’t an accident—it was the result of careful coalition building.
The Platte Institute deliberately sought Democratic sponsors for the two bills, and nearly all bills in the package had bipartisan co-sponsorship. This approach recognized that regulatory reform and government accountability can appeal across the political spectrum—it just takes the right framing.
“Those who are Democrats who don’t trust the administration want more accountability and transparency,” explained Laura Ebke, Senior Fellow at the Platte Institute. “And on the right side of things, Republicans want a smaller, more accountable government. It’s a win-win situation.”
SPN was able to provide additional support when Center for Practical Federalism fellow Steve Johnson was invited by the Platte Institute to testify on the merits of a Federal Funds Inventory. A former Michigan legislator, Steve’s testimony spoke to the importance of the Inventory as a tool for transparency and legislative oversight.
Currently, state agencies routinely accept federal grants with strings attached without legislators knowing the full scope of what their state has agreed to. This dynamic allows federal agencies to impose rules that go beyond what federal law requires, creating de facto policy. The strength of the Federal Funds Inventory lies in putting elected officials back in the driver’s seat
“When you don’t have a plan, the federal government can coerce you to do what they want because you’re terrified of losing a single dollar,” explained Steve. “If, instead, you can say ‘we’re prepared’, you’re not as worried when they put strings on these funds.”
Why is Regulatory Reform Important?
The importance of regulatory reform extends far beyond bureaucratic efficiency. Excessive regulations impose costs not just on businesses but on consumers who ultimately pay higher prices.
With a third of Nebraska’s budget coming from federal sources, the state needs to understand its vulnerabilities. As potential federal funding cuts loom, states must be prepared with contingency plans. For a rural state like Nebraska, this is particularly critical for rural hospitals that depend heavily on Medicaid funding.
For states looking to rein in regulatory excess, the GOAT package provides a proven template. It demonstrates that with the power of the right strategy, expert support, and collaborative approach, meaningful regulatory reform is achievable even in today’s polarized political environment. The Platte Institute’s success shows that when state-based organizations create innovative reforms, they can score wins that seemed otherwise impossible.