Last November, voters across Nebraska overwhelmingly passed Initiative 436, a citizen-led ballot initiative that will give all workers the ability to earn and use paid sick leave – without retaliation from their employers. This voter-approved law goes into effect on October 1, 2025.
Nearly 75% of Nebraskans approved Initiative 436. That includes voters in 89 of 93 counties and a majority of voters in every single legislative district. More than 200 local Nebraska businesses also supported allowing workers to earn and use paid sick leave.
Now, the will of Nebraska voters is being ignored by ❌ LB698, a bill introduced in the Nebraska Legislature that would harm workers by severely weakening Nebraska’s paid sick leave law.
TAKE ACTION: Tell Your Senator to OPPOSE LB698!
❌ LB698, introduced by Senator Paul Strommen, would exempt several groups of workers from receiving earned sick leave – including agricultural workers, seasonal and temporary employees, and workers under the age of 16. Additionally, LB698 exempts businesses with 10 or fewer employees from having to provide paid sick leave. This bill also removes important protections for workers who face retaliation from their employers for using paid sick leave.
A public hearing for this bill is scheduled for Monday, February 3 in the afternoon in Room 2102 in front of the Business and Labor Committee.
Make your voice heard:
- Attend the hearing at the Capitol on Monday afternoon to express your opposition.
- Need help preparing your testimony? Respond to this email, and we’ll help you get ready! You can also find information about testifying in committee hearings here.
- Contact all members of the Business and Labor Committee and tell them to OPPOSE ❌ LB698:
- Sen. Kathleen Kauth, Chairperson (kkauth@leg.ne.gov)
- Sen. Tony Sorrentino, Vice Chairperson (tsorrentino@leg.ne.gov)
- Sen. Ben Hansen (bhansen@leg.ne.gov)
- Sen. Teresa Ibach (tibach@leg.ne.gov)
- Sen. Dan McKeon (dmckeon@leg.ne.gov)
- Sen. Terrell McKinney (tmckinney@leg.ne.gov)
- Sen. Jane Raybould (jraybould@leg.ne.gov)
- Submit a comment here by Monday, February 3 at 8:00 AM CT expressing your opposition to this bill.
How to submit a comment:
- On the page for the bill you want to comment on, click “Submit Comments Online”
- Read through the pop-up notification and click “I Understand”
- Click “Yes” on the “Include Comment in Public Hearing Record” question, if you want your comment to be part of the public record
- Fill out your personal information and use your email to confirm submission
- Write your comment in the “Written Statement” box
- Complete the reCAPTCHA prompt (“I am not a robot”)
- Click “Submit Comment”
Right now, 250,000 working Nebraskans don’t have access to paid sick days. Even more workers have paid sick days but can’t use them without getting penalized.
Passing Initiative 436 was a HUGE step forward in support of hardworking Nebraskans, families, and communities in our state. We must protect the integrity of this law and the will of the overwhelming majority of Nebraska voters.
Thank you for your advocacy!