Labor & Employment (Unemployment)

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 921: Adopt the Nebraska Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act and the Health Care Staffing Agency Registration Act and change provisions of the Employment Security Law, the In the Line of Duty Compensation Act, the Non-English-Speaking Workers Protection Act, and the State Miscellaneous Claims Act

LB 921 adopts Nebraska's version of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. It requires employers with 25+ employees to provide 60 days' written notice before a business closing or mass layoff affecting 25+ workers, directly impacting Nebraska businesses and their employees. The bill mandates that notices include details like the affected site, expected dates of job losses, and job titles, while keeping employee names confidential with the Department of Labor. Employers must notify both affected workers/their representatives and the Department of Labor before implementing such changes. This replaces Nebraska's previous, less specific requirements with a standardized notice process.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates 60-day notice for mass layoffs/closures, protecting workers' rights to prepare for job loss under Nebraska WARN Act adoption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

died · Nebraska · Legislature Feb 12, 2026

LB 1156: Adopt the Disinvested Community Development Incentive Tax Credit Act

Nebraska's LB 1156 creates a tax credit program to encourage private investment in economically distressed communities. It allows taxpayers to claim a 50% nonrefundable income tax credit for cash contributions to qualifying organizations (like community development banks or innovation hubs) that fund projects in designated distressed areas. These funds support affordable commercial space, workforce training, site preparation, and small developer projects, with annual limits of $26.5 million for tax credits and $20 million for supplemental grants. The program targets small developers and underrepresented businesses in neighborhoods facing high unemployment and poverty, aiming to expand local economic opportunities without direct public funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 50% tax credit for investments in distressed communities, using tax policy to incentivize private capital flow into underserved areas while directing $26.5M annually toward economic development projects.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax credit for private investment in distressed areas, funding affordable commercial space and small developer projects to advance housing affordability.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds workforce training programs in distressed communities, directly supporting employment standards and skills development per bill summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development Unemployment Workforce Development Tags Economic Development

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1015: Redefine a term and change provisions relating to the combined tax and the state unemployment insurance tax rate under the Employment Security Law and change provisions relating to the Business Innovation Act

LB 1015 amends Nebraska's Employment Security Law by redefining "agricultural labor" to clarify which farm-related work qualifies for unemployment insurance coverage. It changes how the combined tax rate for unemployment insurance and state tax is calculated, affecting businesses paying these taxes. The bill also modifies the Business Innovation Act to create a new fund, update legislative findings, and adjust requirements for "qualified action plans." These changes aim to streamline tax administration and align provisions across related statutes.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies agricultural labor definition for unemployment insurance coverage, potentially expanding access to benefits for farm workers under Employment Security Law.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 813: Change provisions relating to marketplace network contractors under the Employment Security Law

LB 813 amends Nebraska's definition of "employment" under the Employment Security Law to clarify how marketplace network contractors are treated for unemployment benefits eligibility. The bill specifically changes provisions related to these contractors, ensuring their services are properly classified under state unemployment law. This affects workers who provide services through digital platforms or on-demand apps, determining whether they qualify for unemployment benefits. The change modifies Section 48-604 of the law to establish clearer criteria for including these workers in the unemployment insurance system.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies unemployment benefits eligibility for marketplace network contractors, expanding access to worker benefits under labor & employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Unemployment

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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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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 265: Adopt the Manufacturing Modernization and Workforce Development Pilot Investment Act, transfer, change, and eliminate funds, change provisions relating to the state unemployment insurance tax rate, and eliminate the Nebraska Worker Training Board

LB 265 establishes a pilot program providing one-time grants to eligible Nebraska manufacturers for technology upgrades that increase productivity. It directly affects manufacturers meeting specific criteria (e.g., operating 3+ years, generating 51% revenue from goods, employing 3+ full-time staff) who must match grant funds 1:1 with private investment. The program allocates up to $250,000 from the Workforce Development Fund, capping individual grants at $50,000 for projects like job training or specialized equipment. The bill also transfers related funding, adjusts unemployment tax rates, and eliminates the Nebraska Worker Training Board.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allocates $250k for manufacturer job training grants, directly advancing workforce development under employment standards, despite eliminating Worker Training Board.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 45: Provide for grants for job programs for historically underserved youth

LB 45 creates a five-year pilot grant program through Nebraska's Department of Labor to fund job training and employment opportunities for historically underserved youth (ages 18 or younger experiencing homelessness, poverty, foster care, or juvenile justice involvement). Eligible organizations must be headquartered in designated high-need census tracts and commit to hiring these youth for training in high-demand fields like IT, healthcare, and skilled trades. The program will launch in specific urban and rural communities for pilot evaluation before potential statewide expansion, with grants prioritized for areas with the highest poverty and unemployment rates. The Department of Labor will report annually on program effectiveness and placement rates in target fields.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds job training for underserved youth in high-demand fields, advancing employment opportunities and workforce development through targeted grants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Unemployment Workforce Development

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 299: Allow eligible aliens and dependents to receive public benefits relating to employment

Nebraska's LB 299 allows eligible immigrants authorized for employment (under federal rules as of January 1, 2025) and their dependents to access public benefits tied to employment. The bill expands eligibility for benefits like retirement programs (including state employee and school employee plans), unemployment assistance, education financial aid, and health-related support. It requires verification of employment authorization using standard documents (such as work permits or resident cards) but does not change existing definitions of public benefits or limit current eligibility. Dependents of eligible immigrant workers gain access to benefits without regard to their own immigration status. The bill amends multiple Nebraska statutes to implement these changes, effective upon passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state funding for public benefits including unemployment, retirement, and health support by increasing eligibility for employed immigrants.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly includes 'education financial aid' in expanded public benefits, increasing educational access for eligible immigrants.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands access to 'health-related support' for eligible immigrants, directly advancing healthcare access for a new population under public benefits.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationExpands public benefits access for authorized immigrants, aligning with support indicators like providing immigrant services and integration.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands unemployment, retirement, and health benefits access for eligible immigrants, directly advancing worker benefit access per Labor & Employment policy indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Driver Licenses & IDs Work Authorization Public Employees Unemployment

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Mar 12, 2025

LB 197: Change provisions relating to disqualification for benefits, claim determinations, and claim redeterminations under the Employment Security Law

This Nebraska bill (LB 197) amends key sections of the Employment Security Law to clarify rules for unemployment benefits. It updates disqualification rules (Section 48-628.09) to better define when workers lose benefits due to labor disputes, requiring proof of non-involvement in the dispute. The bill also streamlines claim processing (Section 48-630) and sets a two-year limit for redetermining benefit amounts (Section 48-631), ensuring timely resolution of eligibility issues. These changes directly affect unemployed workers and employers navigating benefit claims, making the process more transparent and efficient under Nebraska's unemployment system.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies disqualification rules requiring proof of non-involvement in disputes, streamlines claim processing, and sets two-year redetermination limits to ensure timely access to unemployment benefits, strengthening worker protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment