We’ve reached the final week of bill hearings! After hearings are done, the Legislature will move into all-day debate until the 2024 session ends. Debate will focus exclusively on priority bills.
Last Week’s Highlights
We testified or submitted comments on the following bills last week:
- LB920 (McKinney) 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. (SUPPORT)
- LB1324 (Conrad) 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. (SUPPORT)
- LB1106 (Day) 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. (SUPPORT)
- LB1107 (Day) 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. (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:
LB1237 (M. Cavanaugh) – Require a report regarding the medical assistance program
- Wednesday, February 28 in the afternoon in Room 1510 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee
- This bill specifies data Nebraska DHHS must provide in its annual Medicaid report to ensure transparency and availability of critical information regarding Nebraskans’ access to Medicaid health coverage.
- Take action: Appleseed SUPPORTS this bill – submit a comment here by tomorrow, Wednesday, February 28 at 8:00 AM CST
LB871 (M. Cavanaugh) – Require a report by the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program
- Wednesday, February 28 in the afternoon in Room 1510 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee
- This bill would provide transparency and accountability when it comes to our state’s use of TANF money and allow Nebraska to make the best use of funds available. (Check out our blog post about why this is critical!)
- Take action: Appleseed SUPPORTS this bill – submit a comment here by tomorrow, Wednesday, February 28 at 8:00 AM CST
LB1417 (Brewer) – Create, eliminate, terminate, and provide, change, eliminate, and transfer powers, duties, and membership of boards, commissions, committees, councils, task forces, panels, authorities, and departments and change and eliminate funds
- Thursday, February 29 in the afternoon in Room 1113 in front of the Judiciary Committee
- This bill would terminate the Nebraska Children’s Commission’s Alternative Response and Bridge to Independence Advisory Committees.
- Take action: Appleseed OPPOSES this bill – submit a comment here by Thursday, February 29 at 8:00 AM CST
LB1357 (McDonnell) – Prohibit camping on certain property owned by political subdivisions
- Thursday, February 29 in the afternoon in Room 1507 in front of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee
- This bill would criminalize sleeping on public lands unless the property has been designated as a campsite.
- Take action: Appleseed OPPOSES this bill – submit a comment here by Thursday, February 29 at 8:00 AM CST
Become a Monthly Sustaining Supporter: $100 Bonus
This month, Nebraska Appleseed is working to grow our grassroots supporter base. And one of the best ways that folks like you and me can support advocacy all year long is by giving a bit each month with a monthly donation.
By being a monthly Sustaining Supporter, you provide flexible, predictable funds that Appleseed can count on.
You ensure every advocacy tool is available when needed: legislative advocacy, grassroots community organizing, and impact litigation — strategies that grantmakers can’t always fund.
It’s also easier to budget for and adds up to a bigger impact. ($10/month is easier to give than $100, and it becomes $120 across the year!)
Thank you for your support!