It’s Day 30 today, which means we are officially halfway through the 2024 legislative session.
Today, Speaker Arch announced his Speaker priority bills and included LB233 (J. Cavanaugh) among that list! LB233 proposes to end the child support penalty in Nebraska’s Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) program.
Additionally last week, senators and committees finalized and designated their personal priority bills for the session. We will be sure to share updates as the priority bills we are working on move through the legislative process.
Last Week’s Highlights
We testified or submitted comments on several bills last week:
- LB1017 (Bosn) would weaken Nebraska’s workers’ compensation program by reducing the financial support an injured Nebraskan receives after a serious workplace injury. (OPPOSE)
- LB935 (Ibach) would appropriate funds to increase reimbursement rates for Medicaid dental services. (SUPPORT)
- LB1381 (Hansen) would prevent Nebraska from applying for waivers during economic downturns and implement additional work requirements for recipients of SNAP. (OPPOSE)
- LB1211 (Hansen) would reduce Nebraska’s early voting periods, making it harder for Nebraskans with busy work and family schedules to be able to vote. (OPPOSE)
- LB1278 (McKinney) 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. (SUPPORT)
- LB1321 (Arch) 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. (NEUTRAL)
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:
LB920 (McKinney) – Require the Nebraska to establish a SNAP Restaurant Meals Program
- Wednesday, February 21 in the afternoon in Room 1510 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee
- This bill would require DHHS to create a SNAP Restaurant Meals Program that would allow SNAP recipients who are homeless, disabled or elderly, and their spouses, to purchase hot meals at participating restaurants that would provide them at reduced prices.
- Take action: Appleseed SUPPORTS this bill – submit a comment here by tomorrow, Wednesday, February 21 at 8:00 AM CST
LB1324 (Conrad) – Adopt the Child Tax Credit Act
- Wednesday, February 21 in the afternoon in Room 1524 in front of the Revenue Committee
- This bill would help families fight the cost of living by adopting the Child Tax Credit Act (CTC), which would create a fully refundable tax credit of $1,000 per child under age 6 for Nebraska taxpayers in low-income households.
- Take action: Appleseed SUPPORTS this bill – submit a comment here by tomorrow, Wednesday, February 21 at 8:00 AM CST
LB1106 (Day) – Provide for coverage of lactation consultations under the Medical Assistance Act
- Thursday, February 22 in the afternoon in Room 1510 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee
- This bill would improve access to lactation consulting services for Nebraskans with Medicaid so that newborns and their families have the resources they need. Many Nebraskans face barriers to breastfeeding, including a lack of support and access to resources.
- Take action: Appleseed SUPPORTS this bill – submit a comment here by Thursday, February 22 at 8:00 AM CST
LB1107 (Day) – Provide for coverage of breast pumps under the Medical Assistance Act
- Thursday, February 22 in the afternoon in Room 1510 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee
- This bill would improve access to breast pumps for Nebraskans with Medicaid so that newborns and their families have the resources they need. Breastfeeding can provide benefits and improved health outcomes to both babies and moms.
- Take action: Appleseed SUPPORTS this bill – submit a comment here by Thursday, February 22 at 8:00 AM CST
Become a Monthly Sustaining Supporter: $100 bonus
You might not realize it, but giving a monthly sustaining donation of $5 or $10 per month is one of the most impactful ways to financially support Appleseed’s advocacy.
When you give a little each month it adds up to a big impact. It provides flexible, predictable funds to support the full array of advocacy tools — legislative advocacy, grassroots organizing, and impact litigation — that grantmakers can’t always fund.
And, when you become a monthly Sustaining Supporter, a generous supporter will donate a $100 bonus, up to $2,000 in total through March 15!
Become a monthly Sustaining Supporter today.
Thank you for helping build a just, vibrant, and inclusive community where every Nebraskan can thrive!