Legislative Update

At the Capitol: LB285 Advances to Select File!

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It’s Day 27, and we’re almost halfway through the Nebraska Legislature’s 2024 session! Check out last week’s highlights and this week’s key hearings below: 

LB285 Advances to Select File!

We’re so excited to share that LB285 (Senator Lynne Walz) passed its first round of debate and has been placed on select file! This bill makes sure that more kids have access to healthy meals by requiring Nebraska schools or districts that serve a certain percentage of students in poverty to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

Last Week’s Hearings

Last week, we also testified or submitted comments on several bills:

  • LB1139 (Senator Michaela Cavanaugh) would create a 10-week paid leave program for Nebraskans to care for themselves or a family member experiencing a serious illness or to care for a new child. (SUPPORT)
  • LB857 (Senator George Dungan) would provide additional prenatal services to mothers in the Medicaid program who are at risk of an adverse birth outcome. (SUPPORT)
  • LB918 (Senator Justin Wayne) would ensure that longtime community members with DACA who grew up in Nebraska can pursue careers in law enforcement. (SUPPORT)
  • LB1315 (Senator Lou Linehan) would increase Nebraska’s sales tax to 6.5% by October 2024. (OPPOSE)
  • LB1182 (Senator Eliot Bostar) would increase Nebraska’s Earned Income Tax Credit from 10% of the federal credit to 20%. (SUPPORT)

Click here to see all of the legislative priorities that Appleseed is supporting during the 2024 session. 

This Week’s Hearings

There are hearings this week that you can attend in person, stream online, or submit a comment. Here are a few hearings Appleseed will be showing up for and supporting this week: 

LB1017 (Bosn) – Change the schedule of compensation for certain injuries resulting in disability under the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act

  • State law should ensure fair and strong support systems that help injured Nebraskans heal and return to work – and maintain an incentive for safe workplaces. Yesterday, we testified in OPPOSITION to LB1017, which would weaken Nebraska’s workers’ compensation program by reducing the financial support an injured Nebraskan receives after a serious workplace injury.

LB935 (Ibach) – Appropriate funds to the Department of Health and Human Services for medicaid dental services

  • Tuesday, February 13 in the afternoon in Room 1524 in front of the Appropriations Committee
  • This bill would appropriate funds to increase reimbursement rates for Medicaid dental services. Increased provider rates is linked to increased provider participation in the Medicaid program, and therefore increased enrollee access to dental services.
  • Take action: Appleseed SUPPORTS this bill. Though the deadline to submit comments as part of the official hearing record has passed, you can still submit a comment or email the Appropriations Committee.

LB1381 (Hansen) – Provide work requirements for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

  • Wednesday, February 14 in the afternoon in Room 1510 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee
  • This bill would prevent Nebraska from applying for waivers during economic downturns and implement additional work requirements for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 
  • Take action: Appleseed OPPOSES this bill. Here’s how you can speak up on it:

LB1211 (Hansen) – Change provisions of the Election Act relating to early voting

  • Wednesday, February 14 in the afternoon in Room 1507 in front of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee
  • This bill would reduce Nebraska’s early voting periods, making it harder for Nebraskans with busy work and family schedules to be able to vote.
  • Take action: Appleseed OPPOSES this bill – submit a comment here by tomorrow, Wednesday, February 14 at 8:00 AM CST

LB1278 (McKinney) – Provide for reimbursement of doula and full spectrum doula services under the Medical Assistance Act

  • Wednesday, February 14 in the afternoon in Room 1510 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee
  • This bill would require Medicaid to cover the cost of doulas, who are trained to support families through the labor and birthing process and have been shown to improve health outcomes for both moms and babies.
  • Take action: Appleseed SUPPORTS this bill – submit a comment here by tomorrow, Wednesday, February 14 at 8:00 AM CST

LB1321 (Arch) – Clarify the Inspector General of Child Welfare’s role and authority 

  • Wednesday, February 14 at noon in Room 2101 in front of the Executive Board
  • This bill clarifies the Inspectors General of Child Welfare & Corrections role and authority to investigate the child welfare and corrections systems, including deaths and serious injuries to children and persons within the state’s care. 
  • Take action: Appleseed will testify in the NEUTRAL capacity – submit a comment here by tomorrow, Wednesday, February 14 at 8:00 AM CST.

Thank you for your advocacy!

P.S. In case you missed it: Yesterday, Governor Pillen announced that Nebraska opt into the Summer EBT program for summer 2024! This program will bring in $18 million in benefits to kids to help cover higher food costs families face during the summer months. This win would not have been possible without the many advocates and allies who helped the Governor understand the importance of this program, including YOU!

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