This bill updates funding allocations for Nebraska state agencies for the 2026 fiscal year, specifically adjusting appropriations for the Department of Labor and the Department of Economic Development. It increases budget amounts for workforce development programs, employment services, and business incentive initiatives while maintaining designated funding sources for each purpose. The legislation amends previous appropriation laws to reflect these financial changes and includes provisions for reappropriating any unspent funds from the prior fiscal year.
LB 816 protects the confidentiality of communications between public safety personnel and peer support team members. It makes peer support meetings and related records privileged and confidential, meaning they cannot be disclosed in court, treated as public records, or used in disciplinary proceedings. This law directly affects law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and support staff (like dispatchers) who receive or provide peer support for critical incidents or personal issues. The only exceptions to confidentiality are with the recipient's written consent or if a person's safety is at immediate risk.
LB 847 adopts Nebraska's Registered Apprenticeship Act, creating a state framework for structured training programs that require at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning plus related instruction. It establishes definitions for apprentices, sponsors, and programs, mandating written agreements between apprentices and employers and requiring registration with the Nebraska Office of Registered Apprenticeship. The bill also modifies tax rate provisions under the Employment Security Law, though specific changes aren't detailed in the text. This directly affects apprentices, employers offering training, and the Nebraska Department of Labor, standardizing oversight of apprenticeships statewide.
LB 1205 requires Nebraska's Department of Economic Development to award grants under the Small Business Investment Program to support small businesses. The bill directs funding to microloan organizations, technical assistance groups, and innovation hubs that provide loans and business support to small businesses, with a focus on job creation and helping low-income communities. Key requirements include a $3 million annual funding limit, a 35% nonstate matching fund requirement for recipients, and mandating that at least 50% of funds support business technical assistance. This bill directly affects small business support organizations and microenterprises across Nebraska, particularly in rural and economically distressed areas.
This bill requires Nebraska state employers to provide paid maternity leave to employees who give birth or adopt a child. Full-time state employees would receive six weeks of paid leave, while part-time employees would receive leave proportional to their regular work schedule. The leave must be taken within six months of the child's birth or adoption, and employees must return to their original position or an equivalent role after leave. The bill also prohibits retaliation against employees who use this leave and ensures continued benefits during the leave period.
LB 1165 amends Nebraska's Key Employer and Jobs Retention Act to adjust the wage retention credit to 5% of wages paid to retained employees earning at least the state average wage, with annual and total spending caps. It creates a new Department of Labor grant program to help employers retain or attract workers after a change in ownership and control, particularly for businesses meeting key employer criteria. The bill also modifies credit percentages under the ImagiNE Nebraska Act and adds capital improvement grants for eligible employers under the Site and Building Development Act. These changes apply to key employers with at least 1,000 equivalent employees in Nebraska during a base year, including those facing ownership transitions.
LB 429 requires Nebraska school boards to provide equal access to school employees' mailboxes, meetings, and posting spaces for all professional employees' organizations (like teacher unions or professional development groups). It mandates that if one organization is allowed to recruit at employee events, display information, or post materials in school spaces, all similar organizations must receive the same access. The bill also prohibits school boards from naming school calendar days or breaks after any professional employees' organization. This applies to all school employees, including teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals, and aims to ensure fair treatment among competing professional groups.
Nebraska's LB 13 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendment to align with federal child care subsidy program rules. It updates income eligibility thresholds for child care assistance: families with incomes up to 185% of the federal poverty level before October 1, 2026, and 130% afterward. The bill also establishes transitional assistance for families who exceed income limits, allowing continued support until their income drops below 85% of state median income or they reach new income caps. This directly affects low-income families seeking child care subsidies and providers participating in the federal program, with cost-sharing based on a sliding scale.
LB 463 requires Nebraska school districts to develop cardiac emergency response plans for sudden cardiac arrests during school activities. These plans must include specific elements like a response team, automated defibrillator placement, staff training (including CPR and AED use), annual drills, and coordination with emergency services, based on American Heart Association standards. The bill directs the State Department of Education to provide grants from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund to cover costs for these plans. It amends school safety laws to integrate cardiac response planning into existing safety reporting requirements, affecting all public school districts in Nebraska. The funding mechanism ensures grants are available without diverting other Medicaid resources.
LB 397 repeals Nebraska's requirements for employers to establish workplace safety committees and implement safety programs (sections 48-443 to 48-445). It also terminates a related fund and removes related eligibility criteria from workers' compensation rules. Employers previously required to maintain safety committees or comply with safety program standards will no longer face these mandates. The bill eliminates these specific provisions without creating new requirements or changing other workers' compensation rules.
