It’s the final countdown as today marks Day 83 of the 90-day legislative session. Now that the budget is passed and bills are moving into the final rounds of debate, there have been several updates these past two weeks. Because this is the first of a two-session biennium, if there are bills you still care about that haven’t passed or failed this year, those bills will still be active next session.
RECENT BILLS THAT PASSED
✅ One of our key priority bills, LB 78, passed Final Reading unanimously. This bill, introduced by Senator Elliot Bostar and prioritized by the State-Tribal Relations Committee, would provide approximately $1 million in necessary funding to create a Domestic Violence and Trafficking Victim Housing Assistance Fund.
✅ LB 267, as amended to LB 80, also passed on Final Reading last week. Introduced by Senator Victor Rountree, this bill is a critical part of our Freedom From Violence and Economic Security work this session. LB 267, increases housing stability for domestic violence survivors and their families in rental housing by allowing for the removal of an occupant who commits domestic violence and requiring landlords to change locks for safety
✅ An amended LB 348, introduced by Senator Jason Prokop, was included in the budget package and will provide critical funding for domestic violence services and programs. With ongoing cuts to domestic violence funding at the federal level, we will continue to encourage the Legislature to maintain adequate funding levels for this life-saving work locally.
OTHER BILLS STILL IN PROGRESS
✅ LB 192 would maintain our current level of eligibility for SNAP, helping 10,000 Nebraskans feed their families. On Final Reading, the bill was pulled back Select File to attach an amendment from Senator Bob Andersen that includes unnecessary and costly work requirements. Despite this new requirement, the fact that so many Nebraskans will be able to access SNAP means we will continue to support the bill’s passage. Contact your senator today to support LB 192.
❌ LB 89 advanced to Final Reading after being amended to now only focus on excluding trans youth in sports. While this narrowing of the extremely discriminatory bill as introduced is better, it’s still an awful bill that uses the law to ban trans youth from fully participating in sports with their peers. Additionally, the introducer of the bill, Senator Kathleen Kauth, has made promises to return in future sessions with more restrictions on trans lives. We reject any effort to use legislation to target already marginalized groups as excluding women and girls who are trans hurts all women and girls. Join the chorus of others advocating for inclusive policies by contacting senators now to oppose LB 89.
❌ In case you missed it, LB 258, a bill to roll back the voter-approved increase in minimum wage, failed on Final Reading with one senator checked out when the vote was called. However, we anticipate that Senators will attempt to amend LB 258 onto another bill, so stay alert!
❌ LB 415 advanced to Final Reading with the amendment of LB 698 fully intact that exempts several groups of workers from receiving the voter-approved paid sick leave, including seasonal and temporary agricultural workers; workers under the age of 16; and workers at businesses with 10 of fewer employees. The bill would also remove important protections for workers who face retaliation from their employers for using paid sick leave. To ensure all workers are able to earn and use paid sick leave as supported overwhelming by Nebraska voters, contact your senator today to oppose LB 415.
IN THE NEWS
Bill to pare back minimum wage fails in Nebraska Legislature – KETV Channel 7
Nebraska lawmakers narrow ban on transgender athletes – Lincoln Journal Star
Nebraska bill targeting transgender athletes advances, bathroom provision removed – Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska lawmakers reach final 10-day stretch of 2025 session – Nebraska Examiner
Watered-down paid sick leave bill advances, again – Nebraska Public Media