Last week, bill introduction ended with the Nebraska Legislature introducing more than 800 bills and proposed constitutional amendments this session.
Committee hearings began this week on an afternoon-only schedule. During the weeks of January 30 and February 6, committee hearings will be held throughout the day. The Legislature will resume afternoon-only hearings the week of February 13.
Last week’s highlights
All of Appleseed’s priority bills have been introduced, including legislation that would:
- Strengthen worker protections,
- Support young people navigating the child welfare system,
- Expand food and nutrition access,
- Advance housing justice,
- Support families navigating the rising cost of living, and
- Ensure equitable access to healthcare.
Click here to see the legislative priorities that Appleseed is supporting during the 2023 session.
This week’s hearings
LB285 (Walz) – Healthy school meals for kids
- Yesterday, Appleseed testified in front of the Education Committee in support of LB285 to adopt the School Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Maximization Act.
- This bill would ensure that all kids have access to healthy meals by requiring that Nebraska schools or districts who have 50% or more ‘identified students’ participate in the CEP to serve free breakfast and lunch to all students.
- We heard from several proponents of the bill, including Eric Savaiano, Appleseed’s Food and Nutrition Access Program Manager, and Sierra, a member of our food access team’s Community Advocates Cohort.
LB54 (McKinney) – Racial impact statements for all proposed legislation
- Friday, January 27 at 12:00 PM in Room 1525 in front of the Executive Board
- We’ll testify in support of LB54, which would require the office of Legislative Research to prepare racial impact statements for all legislative bills. Like fiscal notes, racial impact statements require an explanation of the expected impact of a legislative proposal on communities of color.
- Take action: Appleseed supports this bill – submit a comment here by noon on Thursday, January 26
Next week: Join us at the Capitol!
Each legislative session presents an opportunity to bring long-lasting, positive change for our communities. Your voice is important in ensuring that we are building a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive Nebraska.
There are four hearings next week that you can attend in person, stream online, or submit comment by Friday at noon:
LB57 (M. Cavanaugh) – Adopts the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act
- Monday, January 30 in the morning in Room 1524 in front of the Business and Labor Committee
- This bill would create a statewide insurance program to provide paid leave to workers.
- Take action: Appleseed supports this bill – submit a comment here
LB15 (Briese): creates a subminimum wage for youth
- Monday, January 30 in the afternoon in Room 1524 in front of the Business and Labor Committee
- This bill would create a subminimum wage for young workers, disregarding the fact that many of them are working hard to support their families or save for their education.
- Take action: Appleseed opposes this bill – submit a comment here
LB626 (Albrecht) – Bans abortion after 6 weeks
- Wednesday, February 1 in the afternoon in Room 1510 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee
- This bill threatens the health and bodily autonomy of Nebraskans by banning abortions after 6 weeks.
- Take action: Appleseed opposes this bill – submit a comment here
LB419 (Wishart) – Extends Medicaid postpartum coverage
- Thursday, February 2 in the afternoon in Room 1510 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee
- This bill would ensure that maternal health is properly covered in Nebraska by extending Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months.
- Take action: Appleseed supports this bill – submit a comment here
Thank you for making your voice heard!