Labor & Employment

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 95: Provide for a pilot program under the federal Child Care Subsidy program

LB 95 creates a three-year pilot program (2025-2028) to provide child care assistance specifically for Nebraska child care workers. It directly affects households where a member works in licensed child care (including self-employed providers, Head Start, or Early Head Start programs), with income at or below 85% of the state median. Eligible households receive 12 months of no-cost child care assistance if they maintain qualifying employment, and the program requires annual reports tracking participation, employment duration, and costs. The bill modifies existing child care subsidy rules to establish this targeted pilot while maintaining standard federal eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides no-cost child care assistance to low-income child care workers, reducing employment barriers and supporting workforce retention in a critical labor sector.90% confidence

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 174: Change provisions relating to garnishment of wages for medical debt

LB 174 reduces the maximum amount of wages that can be garnished for medical debt from 15% to 10% of an individual's disposable earnings (after taxes and mandatory deductions). It directly affects Nebraska residents with medical debt being collected by medical debt buyers (entities that purchase and collect unpaid medical bills) and medical creditors (hospitals or providers). The bill establishes a new 10% cap for most cases, with a higher 20% limit possible only if the person is not a head of household (verified through a sworn affidavit). It also defines key terms like "medical debt," "medical debt buyer," and "head of household" to clarify eligibility for protections. This change aims to limit wage garnishment specifically for medical debt while maintaining existing rules for other debts like child support or taxes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReduces wage garnishment cap for medical debt from 15% to 10%, protecting patients from excessive debt collection and improving financial access to healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentReduces wage garnishment cap from 15% to 10% for medical debt, protecting workers' disposable earnings from excessive deductions.95% confidence

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 710: Increase the earned income tax credit

LB 710 increases Nebraska's earned income tax credit (EITC) for low- and moderate-income residents who qualify for the federal EITC. It raises the state refundable credit rate from 10% to 20% of the federal EITC amount for tax years beginning January 1, 2025, and adjusts income thresholds. The credit phases out for individuals with federal adjusted gross income above $22,000, reducing by 10% for each $1,000 earned over that amount. This change directly benefits eligible Nebraska residents who currently receive the federal EITC, providing them with additional state tax relief.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state EITC rate from 10% to 20% for low/moderate-income residents, providing direct tax relief through enhanced refundable credit.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases EITC for low-income residents, boosting disposable income to improve housing affordability and stability for eligible households.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases Nebraska EITC rate from 10% to 20% for low-income workers, directly expanding financial benefits and raising disposable income for eligible residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 233: Require coverage for in vitro fertilization for state employees under the Nebraska State Insurance Program

Nebraska's LB 233 requires the Nebraska State Insurance Program to cover in vitro fertilization (IVF) for state employees starting July 1, 2025. The bill mandates that IVF treatment be included as a special coverage option, available uniformly to all eligible state employees who choose to enroll. Key limitations include capping coverage at four completed egg retrievals per individual, requiring employees to attempt less expensive infertility treatments first (with physician exceptions), and restricting care to facilities meeting specific medical standards. This policy change directly affects state employees enrolled in the Nebraska State Insurance Program, adding IVF as a covered benefit under existing special coverage rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates IVF coverage expansion under state insurance, increasing access to reproductive healthcare services for state employees.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates IVF coverage as an employment benefit for state employees, expanding health benefits under employment standards per bill's coverage requirements.90% confidence

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 678: State intent regarding appropriations to the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges

LB 678 allocates specific funds from Nebraska's General Fund for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to cover mandated costs for Nebraska State Colleges employees. It directly affects employees covered by the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, the State College Education Association, and the Nebraska State College System Professional Association. The bill provides funding for required salary increases from union agreements, minimum wage adjustments under the Wage and Hour Act, and rising health insurance premiums. This is a funding measure, not a new policy, ensuring colleges can meet existing financial obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state General Fund dollars for mandated employee costs including salary increases and healthcare, directly funding essential budget obligations for public colleges.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates funds for mandated salary increases and employee costs at Nebraska State Colleges, directly supporting higher education funding and staff compensation.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds mandated salary increases from union agreements and minimum wage adjustments under Wage and Hour Act, directly supporting worker compensation and collective bargaining agreements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 164: Adopt the Urban Development Incentive Act

LB 164, the Urban Development Incentive Act, creates a state grant program to support small and emerging developers in economically distressed areas of Nebraska. The bill provides funding for affordable commercial space development, rehabilitation, and sustainability features, with grants covering up to 20% of project costs (max $3.5 million per project) and specific categories for financing help, job training, and green building certification. It directly affects small developers (under 50 employees, <$5M revenue) working in areas meeting federal census criteria for high unemployment (≥150% state average) and poverty (≥20%). The program requires community engagement documentation and annual reporting to the Legislature on grant usage and job creation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state grant program allocating $3.5M max per project for affordable commercial development, directly increasing state spending on economic development in distressed areas.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes sustainability features and green building certification, advancing energy efficiency in development projects.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingDirectly funds affordable commercial space development and rehabilitation in distressed areas through state grants, targeting affordability goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly includes 'job training' as a funded category under its grant program, directly supporting workforce development and employment standards within the urban development initiative.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Property Development Professional Licensing Unemployment Workforce Development

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 486: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to implement standards for reimbursement for certain service providers

This bill requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to set a standard reimbursement rate for personal care service providers serving elderly and disabled Nebraskans under the "aged and disabled personal care services waiver" program. The rate must match the findings of a 2022 CBIZ Optumas study report and be adjusted at least every two years. It directly affects service providers who currently receive reimbursement through this waiver program, ensuring their payments align with the study's recommendations. The policy change aims to standardize payments without specifying new funding levels or eligibility changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires standardized reimbursement rates for elderly/disabled care providers, aligning with study findings to ensure adequate funding and service continuity under healthcare waiver program.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates reimbursement rate for personal care providers matching a 2022 study and requiring biennial adjustments, ensuring fair compensation for workers in this sector.85% confidence

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 254: State legislative intent to transfer funds for workforce housing

LB 254 directs Nebraska's legislature to transfer $25 million from the General Fund for fiscal year 2025-26 and an additional $25 million for 2026-27 to the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Fund. This funding is intended to provide grants for workforce housing projects under the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act. The bill directly affects rural communities and workers by supporting affordable housing initiatives through state funding. It establishes a legislative intent to allocate these specific sums, though the actual disbursement would require subsequent implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTransfers $50M from General Fund to housing fund, increasing state funding for public service (workforce housing) via budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $50M ($25M/year) for workforce housing grants under Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act, directly funding affordable housing initiatives in rural communities.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllocates $50M for rural workforce housing grants, directly supporting worker housing needs and employment stability through state funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 699: Change provisions relating to certain sales and use tax incentives under the ImagiNE Nebraska Act

LB 699 amends Nebraska's ImagiNE Act to adjust eligibility requirements for sales and use tax incentives. It sets three investment thresholds for businesses: $5 million with 30 new hires, $250 million with 250 new hires, or $50 million with no specific hire requirement. To qualify, businesses must pay wages at least 150% of Nebraska's statewide average hourly wage and offer health insurance coverage to full-time employees. The bill provides tax refunds on qualifying property purchases and exemptions from future sales/use taxes during the program period, subject to these new conditions. It directly affects businesses seeking to expand in Nebraska under the ImagiNE program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax refunds for qualifying businesses under revised incentive program, advancing fiscal policy for economic development95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires businesses to offer health insurance to full-time employees to qualify for tax incentives, expanding employee coverage under ImagiNE Act.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires 150% wage threshold and health insurance for tax incentive eligibility, advancing worker compensation standards85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Minimum Wage

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 617: Change provisions of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act

This bill amends Nebraska's Workers' Compensation Act by removing three specific defenses employers could previously use to avoid paying claims. It abolishes defenses based on (1) employee negligence (unless willful or due to intoxication), (2) negligence by a fellow employee, or (3) an employee assumed risks related to unsafe workplace conditions. The change directly affects workers filing compensation claims and employers defending against those claims. As written, the bill ensures these defenses are no longer legally valid in workers' compensation cases under Nebraska law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves employer defenses in workers' comp claims, strengthening worker access to compensation and protections under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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