Before we dive into this week’s public hearing schedule, we’ll take a moment to recap Friday’s hearings.

Nebraskans Against Government Overreach Founder & Leader Allie Bush spoke in support of LB89 and LB203.

LB89, also known as the Stand With Women Act, would codify that girls play girls’ sports, boys play boys’ sports, and respectively they use the appropriate bathrooms and locker rooms. The supporting testifiers were clear, respectful, and expressed factual, scientific basis for the commonsense approach of LB89.
The opposition testimony continued late into the evening, ending at 11:57pm.
It was incredulous how many of the opposing individuals wanted to claim equality of rights and avoid the reality we ALL have the same rights – what they really want are special rights.

Ultimately, there were 471 Proponents, 1547 Opponents, and 1 Neutral comment submitted online for LB89. We certainly had higher hopes for the turnout of supporting comments, but this highlights the priorities of Nebraska voters, and that is… a majority HAVE to work, and the majority that showed up DON’T WORK. The good news is that after reviewing nearly a dozen or so articles across various platforms covering LB89, we can confidently say the majority of Nebraskans do in fact suppory LB89 and they think it’s crazy that we even have to clarify this – but we do.

Still…! We need MORE participation. We understand, wholeheartedly, that people can’t skip work, but we ask that you take just a few minutes each day to send a few emails and make a comment online for the record! Each communication matters and gives the senators the support they need to stand strong on controversial issues.

Our focus over the next few days needs to be on the committee members, and each of the registered Republicans, especially Senator Wordekemper, Prokop, and Riepe, need to have their mailboxes filled up.

NAGO also submitted supporting testimony for LB203, also introduced by Senator Kauth, to ensure any future directed health measures would have to be approved by a vote of the elected body of a city or county board. While the testimony was fairly split, some of the opposition was that LB203 doesn’t go far enough – which we fully agree with!

The Health Directive legislation was short, our greatest obstacle there will be Senator Riepe who holds to the idea that there are “emergencies” that cannot afford the time to take a vote and more so overrides our constitutional rights.

We hope to see both of these bills moved to the floor for full debate! We MUST continue to email the Government Military and Veterans Affairs Committee in support of LB89 and the Health and Human Services Committee in support of LB203!

Moving into this upcoming week! Join us in person or submit online comments before 8am the morning of the scheduled hearing. Don’t forget to confirm your email via the link sent to your email.

Sunday February 9, 2025 to Saturday February 15, 2025

Full Week’s Schedule of Public Hearings – https://nebraskalegislature.gov/calendar/hearings_range.php?weekly=next

Monday February 10, 2025

Business and Labor
Room 1524 – 1:30 PM

NEUTRAL: LB75
Introducer: Hunt
Description: Change provisions of the Wage and Hour Act relating to tipped employees and provide for complaints, prohibited actions, and liquidated damages

Statement of Intent: *LB 75 would add clarity, employee protections, and an enforcement mechanism to existing tipped wage statutes. Under current law, the sum of wages and gratuities paid to tipped workers must meet or exceed the standard minimum wage. Nebraska’s minimum wage is currently $13.50/hr, and the tipped wage is $2.13/hr. That is, if a tipped worker’s wages plus tips add up to less than $13.50/hr, the employer is statutorily required to make up the difference. However, current statute is vague and does not provide for enforcement of this part the law, nor does it provide a process or protections for tipped employees who believe that they are not receiving the proper wage.

LB 75:
-Makes explicitly clear it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that tipped employees are being paid an equivalent of the regular minimum wage,
-Establishes a process and protections for employees to submit complaints to the Departmentof Labor if they reasonably believe they aren’t receiving the proper wage; and
-Requires employers to keep records of the amount paid each pay period to tipped employees and their hours worked; and to provide these records to the Commissioner of Labor upon request. The DOL is then authorized to take enforcement actions or to forward credible complaints to the appropriate county attorney.*

Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59212

More Information: At first this seemed like a proposal to eliminate taxes on tips. However, it’s instead a requirement for employers to pay the difference (if there is any) between the wage + tips earned and what would be minimum wage for the hours worked.
While we agree with the adjustments to ensure employers are responsible for tracking this potential gap and the process to submit a formal complaint, we’re generally not supportive of forcing employers to pay more than they feel is an adequate wage (if they don’t pay well, don’t work there kind of thing) and have opposed the raise in minimum wage over the years.

ALSO Email the Business and Labor Committee:
Sen. Kathleen Kauth, Chairperson – kkauth@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
Sen. Tony Sorrentino – TSorrentino@leg.ne.gov


Monday in the Education Committee is all about TEEOSA (the formula used for School Funding from the state and our taxes), NAGO fully supports EPIC Option which leaves little room to support any of these options on reformulation of TEEOSA. Do feel free to go through them, but understand they all shift the tax, they don’t reduce it. Anywhere they reduce the direct tax that goes to schools, they increase the funds (which come from… TAXES)  given to schools elsewhere.

Make sure to ALSO Email the Education Committee:
Sen. Dave Murman, Chairperson – dmurman@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Danielle Conrad – dconrad@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jana Hughes – jhughes@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Megan Hunt – mhunt@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Margo Juarez – MJuarez@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dan Lonowski – dlonowski@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Glen Meyer – gmeyer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Rita Sanders – rsanders@leg.ne.gov

Education
Room 1525 – 1:30 PM

NEUTRAL: LB303
Introducer: Hughes
Description: Change provisions relating to foundation aid and certain certification dates and provide for base levy adjustments under the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act and create the School Finance Reform Commission

Statement of Intent: *LB303 makes the following adjustments to the Tax Equity and Education Opportunities Scholarship Act (TEEOSA):
Increases Foundation Aid to schools by 6% for the upcoming school year –  from $1500 per formula student to$1590 per formula student.
Drops the maximum levy for schools from $1.05 to $1.02 per $100 of taxable valuation.
Creates a base levy adjustment. The base levy adjustment is set at $0.30 per $100 of taxable valuation. The base levy adjustment does not restrict a school district from having a levy lower than $0.30. It functions to make an adjustment to the corresponding state aid to a school district if it chooses to drop its general fund levy below the base levy of $0.30. 
Creates the School Finance Reform Commission. The Commission will be tasked with providing the Legislature with annual recommendations to adjust school funding to ensure stable state aid to schools while also reducing property taxes.”

Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58984


NEUTRAL: LB500
Introducer: DeBoer
Description: Create the School Financing Review Commission


Statement of Intent: *LB500 creates the School Financing Review Commission. The commission shall conduct an in-depth review of the financing of public elementary and secondary schools, including methods to offer alternatives to heavy reliance on property taxes and provide equitable education opportunities across the state. The commission shall prepare a preliminary report and present it to the Legislative Council in 2025 and will continue to review the funding of public schools and make recommendations to the Legislature.*

Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59721


NEUTRAL: LB597
Introducer: DeBoer
Description: Change provisions relating to foundation aid, local effort rate yield, adjusted valuations of property, and certification dates under the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act


Statement of Intent: *LB597 makes the following adjustments to the TEEOSA formula for the 2025-26 school fiscal year:
-Foundation Aid shall be the greater of $1,500 per formula student or 7.5% of the basic funding as calculated
-The maximum levy of a school district shall be 95 cents, the Local Effort Rate shall be 90 cents per 100 dollar valuation
-The valuation calculation for agricultural and horticultural land value inside the formula shall value such land at 65% of actual value*

Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59798


NEUTRAL: LB498
Introducer: Murman
Description: Change provisions relating to foundation aid and certification dates under the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act

Statement of Intent: *LB 498 modifies school foundation aid to increases in the Consumer Price Index.*

Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59455


NEUTRAL: LB161
Introducer: Juarez
Description: Redefine formula students under the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act

Statement of Intent: *LB 161 changes the TEEOSA formula to weight early childhood enrollees at 100% of membership instead of 60%.*

Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59290


SUPPORT: LB635
Introducer: Hansen
Description: Authorize the regulation of professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, amateur kickboxing, and slap fighting by the State Athletic Commissioner

Statement of Intent: *LB 635 will authorize the regulation of professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, amateur kickboxing, and slap fighting. This allows the states athletic commissioner to sanction matches and exhibitions within these sports.*

Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58949

More Information: The one bill not focused on TEEOSA and school funding. We have no personal interest in these sports. However, we see no issue with allowing such sports if people want to participate. We’ll also add that it may very well add a good source of revenue to Nebraska without actually adding any new taxes.
We expect opposition to this will be the danger factor, to which we’ll simply say there is different forms of danger every single day, the important part is that there is choice.

ALSO Email the Education Committee:
Sen. Dave Murman, Chairperson – dmurman@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Danielle Conrad – dconrad@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jana Hughes – jhughes@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Megan Hunt – mhunt@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Margo Juarez – MJuarez@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dan Lonowski – dlonowski@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Glen Meyer – gmeyer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Rita Sanders – rsanders@leg.ne.gov

Tuesday February 11, 2025

Late last week, we posted about LB646 and LB665. NAGO throws our support to LB665. LB646 has been a newer topic for our Admins, but we’ve quickly discovered there is a very real split on the issue. At this time, however, LB646 seems to work against LB665, and therefore, NAGO is taking an opposing position to LB646. We’re always open to additional insight, thoughts, or opinions. Email us at info@nago.group.

Agriculture
Room 1023 – 1:30 PM

OPPOSE: LB646
Introducer: Ibach
Description: Provide for exempt feedlots under the Livestock Brand Act

Statement of Intent: *Cattle feeding is a cornerstone for Nebraska’s economy with the state consistently ranking as one of the top two states for number of cattle on feed. LB646 provides an exemption for feedlots from the Livestock Brand Act, thereby creating uniformity across Nebraska for the feedlot industry in the law.*

Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59031


SUPPORT: LB665
Introducer: Storer
Description: Prohibit the use of certain electronic identification devices under the Animal Health and Disease Control Act

Statement of Intent: *The intent of LB665 is to protect Nebraska’s livestock industry and food supply from potential foreign surveillance through the use of electronic identification devices (EIDs) manufactured by foreign adversaries. The bill seeks to prevent the state from mandating EIDs that could compromise the security and privacy of Nebraska’s agricultural data. LB665 allows producers to voluntarily use EIDs, provided they are not manufactured by foreign adversaries,ensuring the integrity of Nebraska’s livestock management. The bill emphasizes the need to balance accurate disease traceability and livestock management with the protection of the state’s food supply from potential foreign tracking and surveillance, which could pose risks to national security.*

Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59656

ALSO Email the Agriculture Committee:
Sen. Barry DeKay, Chairperson – bdekay@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Teresa Ibach, Vice Chairperson – tibach@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Ben Hansen – bhansen@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Rick Holdcroft – rholdcroft@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Kathleen Kauth – kkauth@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dan McKeon – dmckeon@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jane Raybould – Jraybould@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jared Storm – JStorm@leg.ne.gov

Wednesday February 12, 2025

Government, Military and Veterans Affairs
Room 1507 – 1:30 PM

SUPPORT: LB664
Introducer: Storer
Description: Change the Administrative Procedure Act to require agencies to allow for public comment and submissions on proposed rules and regulations and change permissible venue for civil actions challenging rules and regulations

Statement of Intent: *LB664 proposes to allow for public comment and submissions relating to the proposal or adoption of rules or regulations as well as challenges to rules or regulations in locations outside of Lancaster County*

Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59579

ALSO Email the Government Military and Veterans Affairs Committee:
Sen. Rita Sanders, Chairperson – rsanders@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Bob Andersen – bandersen@leg.ne.gov
Sen. John Cavanaugh – jcavanaugh@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dunixi Guereca – dguereca@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Megan Hunt – mhunt@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dan Lonowski – dlonowski@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dan McKeon – dmckeon@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dave Wordekemper – dwordekemper@leg.ne.gov


SUPPORT: LB472
Introducer: McKeon
Description: Adopt the Regulatory Management Act

Statement of Intent: *This act establishes the Office of Regulatory Management within the Executive Branch. This Office aims to enhance and utilize transparency to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens and ensure that new regulations are evidence-based and cost-effective.*

Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59549

ALSO Email the Government Military and Veterans Affairs Committee:
Sen. Rita Sanders, Chairperson – rsanders@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Bob Andersen – bandersen@leg.ne.gov
Sen. John Cavanaugh – jcavanaugh@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dunixi Guereca – dguereca@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Megan Hunt – mhunt@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dan Lonowski – dlonowski@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dan McKeon – dmckeon@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dave Wordekemper – dwordekemper@leg.ne.gov

Thursday February 13, 2025

Government, Military and Veterans Affairs
Room 2102 – 1:30 PM

SUPPORT: LB346
Introducer: Arch
Description: Change qualifications of the State Capitol Administrator, provide for termination of boards, commissions, committees, councils, funds, panels, task forces, the Conservation Corporation Act, and the Nebraska Potato Development Act, and change and eliminate funds and powers and duties of departments and agencies

Statement of Intent: *LB 346 was brought at the request of the governor and proposes combining or outright repealing several boards and commissions. The proposal is intended to find operational efficiencies and to reduce the complexity of Nebraska government.*

Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58836

More Information: We will need to do more thorough reading on this proposed legislation, but we are inclined to support LB346. There is no doubt that our government is need of slimming and trimming.

ALSO Email the Government Military and Veterans Affairs Committee:
Sen. Rita Sanders, Chairperson – rsanders@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Bob Andersen – bandersen@leg.ne.gov
Sen. John Cavanaugh – jcavanaugh@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dunixi Guereca – dguereca@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Megan Hunt – mhunt@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dan Lonowski – dlonowski@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dan McKeon – dmckeon@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dave Wordekemper – dwordekemper@leg.ne.gov


Health and Human Services
Room 1510 – 1:30 PM

NEUTRAL: LB512
Introducer: Holdcroft
Description: Adopt the Chemical Abortion Safety Protocol Act

Statement of Intent: *LB 512 would enact safety regulations concerning chemical abortions (sometimes referred to as “medication” or “medical” abortions) to protect women from serious adverse health consequences.
These regulations include in-person screening of the woman for ectopic pregnancy and Rh negativity before abortion-inducing drugs are dispensed. The bill also requires follow-up after a chemical abortion to ensure treatment for serious complications and accurate reporting.“

Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59487

More Information: We oppose the use of chemical abortions – to that end, we take a neutral position on LB512 for the integration of safeguards for a woman before and after the use of abortion pills.

ALSO Email the Health and Human Services Committee:
Sen. Brian Hardin, Chairperson – bhardin@leg.ne.gov
Sen. John Fredrickson, Vice Chairperson – jfredrickson@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Beau Ballard – bballard@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Ben Hansen – bhansen@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Glen Meyer – gmeyer@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dan Quick – dquick@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Merv Riepe – mriepe@leg.ne.gov


Revenue
Room 1524 – 1:30 PM

SUPPORT: LB384
Introducer: Storer
Description: Require a majority of the elected members of the governing bodies of participating political subdivisions to attend joint public hearings under the Property Tax Request Act

Statement of Intent: *LB 384 revises Nebraska’s “Truth in Taxation” law by requiring a majority of the governing board members of a property taxing entity exceeding its allowable growth rate to attend the corresponding joint public hearing.*

Download the Bill Introduction and Submit an Online Comment here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59561

More Information: We absolutely support LB384! If only we could also legislate the representatives to listen and have a change of heart!

ALSO Email the Revenue Committee:
Sen. R. Brad von Gillern, Chairperson – bvongillern@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Mike Jacobson, Vice Chairperson – mjacobson@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Eliot Bostar – Ebostar@leg.ne.gov
Sen. George Dungan – Gdungan@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Teresa lbach – tibach@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Kathleen Kauth – kkauth@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dave Murman – dmurman@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Tony Sorrentino – TSorrentino@leg.ne.gov

As always, feel free to contact us with any comments, questions, or concerns. If you haven’t yet, sign up to have our newsletters and announcements delivered directly to your inbox at www.nago.group!