Labor & Employment (Gig Economy)

This legislative resolution directs the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee to study portable benefits systems for independent contractors and workers in nontraditional employment arrangements. The study will examine how other states have implemented such systems, analyze potential regulatory and administrative challenges for Nebraska, and consider whether current state laws might block voluntary portable benefits programs. The committee will review options for allowing benefits like health coverage and retirement savings to follow workers across multiple jobs or clients, then report findings and recommendations to the Legislature. This is a research and analysis measure rather than a law that immediately changes how workers or businesses operate.

LB 747 amends Nebraska labor laws to remove the requirement for employers to obtain child employment certificates for workers under 16, simplifying compliance for businesses hiring minors. It eliminates a hotline and website for reporting suspected employee misclassification violations and grants the Labor Commissioner expanded authority to enforce wage payment laws. The bill affects all Nebraska employers, particularly those with minor employees or payroll systems, by updating enforcement mechanisms. It also repeals outdated sections of labor law to create more consistent regulations across child labor, wage collection, contractor registration, and employee classification rules.

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.

LB 229 amends Nebraska's Employment Security Law to exclude "marketplace network contractors" (such as delivery drivers or ride-share workers for platforms like Uber) from the law's definition of "employment." This means these workers would no longer qualify for unemployment benefits under Nebraska's system. The bill achieves this by adding a specific exclusion to the law's definition of "employment," clarifying that services performed for marketplace network platforms are not covered. The change directly affects independent contractors working through digital platforms, not the platforms themselves or traditional employees.