November 1998 — The four largest tobacco companies agree to provide yearly payments to 46 states provided the states drop their Medicaid lawsuits against them and exempt the companies from private tort liability regarding harm caused by tobacco use.
2001 — Nebraska Legislative Bill 692 creates the Nebraska Tobacco Settlement Biomedical Research Fund. Initially, about one-third of the annual return was set aside for biomedical research. In 2001, $10 million was set aside for this purpose.
2006 — The legislature increases the amount of tobacco settlement funds distribution to $12 million.
2008 — The legislature increases the amount of tobacco settlement funds distribution to $14 million.