We’re almost a third of the way through the 2025 Nebraska Legislative Session!
Bill hearings will continue in the afternoons through the end of March, and floor debate on the bills that advance out of committees are being heard on the floor each morning.
Last Week’s Highlights
Last week, we testified on two important bills:
✅ LB181, introduced by Senator Machaela Cavanaugh, would expand the Bridge to Independence (B2I) program to all young people aging out of foster care, regardless of their immigration status.
✅ LB299, introduced by Senator Teresa Ibach, ensures that all work-authorized Nebraskans can access the unemployment insurance they have earned and their employers have already paid for by fixing a gap in state law.
This Week’s Hearings
There are more hearings this week that you can attend in person, stream online, or submit a comment:
✅ LB710 (Senator Eliot Bostar) – Increase the earned income tax credit
- Wednesday, February 19 in the afternoon in Room 1524 in front of the Revenue Committee
- This bill helps Nebraska families meet their basic needs by increasing Nebraska’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), from 10% to 20% of the federal EITC.
- TAKE ACTION: Appleseed SUPPORTS this bill – submit a comment here by Wednesday, February 19 at 8:00 AM CT
✅ LB17 (Senator John Cavanaugh) – Prohibit certain fees by residential landlords and require notices and disclosures of consumer reports
- Thursday, February 20 in the afternoon in Room 1525 in front of the Judiciary Committee
- This bill protects Nebraska renters by prohibiting landlords from charging predatory fees, ensuring reasonable late fees, and refunding screening fees for prospective tenants who are not offered a rental.
- TAKE ACTION: Appleseed SUPPORTS this bill – submit a comment here by Thursday, February 20 at 8:00 AM CT
Tell the HHS Committee to Advance LB102!
On Thursday, February 6, the Health and Human Services Committee heard from advocates in support of several of Appleseed’s Economic Justice Program priority bills. Thanks to your advocacy, the Committee received 104 comments in support of LB102!
✅ LB102, introduced by Senator Ashlei Spivey, would put money in the pockets of families who need it by adjusting the eligibility and benefit level calculation for Nebraska’s ADC program.
TAKE ACTION: Contact members of the Health and Human Services Committee and tell them that they need to take action NOW to make sure that ADC benefits help meet the basic needs of Nebraska’s lowest income families with children.
Thank you for your ongoing advocacy!
