[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6122049,"mediaKeyId","2696115-0055f08155821dd06dafcd5915013a04","parentId",2696115,"title","Committee hears short bill to permit legislative disapproval of certain claims decisions","audioSeconds",177,"startMs",7719000,"endMs",7896000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2696115-0055f08155821dd06dafcd5915013a04&start=7719&end=7896","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2696115-0055f08155821dd06dafcd5915013a04/thumbnail_7719000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6122049/Nebraska/Committee-hears-short-bill-to-permit-legislative-disapproval-of-certain-claims-decisions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122049-79953892e67f2db0eb97436c09c93b56/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037728&Signature=kX7Pa2BbuzCh4DT3E2vQno97cA~Rc5dXPWzV~Hy3744o2f1rGIHBdDaXNAWtWLawFENCS33zmHD8c5Tz82kjS8Y84F9wcF0lnuhs4nZfPoRQU6EhQLFkX7bHSCGH-2h-XLB5jQ0y5szLNsqHrYHHzFMG39MNdG7OVUhMg8fOjRbjBok39wKaSFzn3bDrxSz~F7-o-uF3TClB-VLlqfkJ3jcu6hw1ZpOKFpmWnx4caVQYUuCKv-CE6g8Qt47LkTudG6RCmzb0GvlSF~gTfbrhSfPxWm8SBHgUNcEADidNmDse5yW5OXDLiAVXmt~A~4QCtARtcJGpQepCHD4zQxIXCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Legislature","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","Legal counsel for the Business and Labor Committee explained LB618 as a procedural bill to permit the Legislature to disapprove certain claims decisions after the State Claims Board acts or if claims arrive after the statutory sixtieth‑day filing deadline.

Thomas Helget told the committee LB618 is a shell bill that creates the process needed to allow later hearings and legislative action on claims that may be submitted to the clerk by the sixtieth day of the session (April 11). He said no disallowances were pending at the time of the hearing but that the statutory calendar requires a vehicle to ensure the Legislature can review and, if appropriate, disapprove claims that the State Claims Board declines to pay.

The committee had no proponents or opponents for LB618 at the hearing and the introducer waived closing comments. No formal action occurred; the bill is positioned as a technical vehicle to enable follow‑up claims work during the session if necessary.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Business and Labor Committee - Room 1510 3/18/2025, 2:30:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","LB618 would create a statutory mechanism allowing the Legislature to disapprove claims disallowed by the State Claims Board after the sixtieth day filing. The measure was presented as a procedural vehicle to handle any future disallowed claims that may arrive by statutory deadline.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NE, Nebraska","taxId",77675,"location","Nebraska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6122054,"Business and Labor Committee hears annual claims bill asking Legislature to approve state settlements and write‑offs",953,5799000,6752000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2696115-0055f08155821dd06dafcd5915013a04&start=5799&end=6752","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2696115-0055f08155821dd06dafcd5915013a04/thumbnail_5799000.jpg","/articles/6122054/Nebraska/Business-and-Labor-Committee-hears-annual-claims-bill-asking-Legislature-to-approve-state-settlements-and-writeoffs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122054-e95931245b94b59984ed7baaee022492/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037728&Signature=QHe78SODe4wKMsD12V315ge4y4QZl75QKjjq6dhYqpzTQjpINLJSPPGg-FtmTlNlENC7U4tmk9gGHt8YY4FFE2j3rML1RX1AhwZB5drX26H71p0gFtIUb-akB~JUoEocRB-wQfFCep7TeCFrs9R4LuMQ6KRsPqny2G99FnoG2fHxLkQIp15urdsGSZi8UUDY1MZfSK~JlNjlwe8LHIIYvEKf1SO2V7ifQZIgcKtYv8YH5tx972BEkCjZmT0dZtgWL4jdOWy2hApc61O9TOam9G6Ts~JSLlcSOE8WpXQh8q1ozaK~P873u9Do8HGC6J9AT6Pa-fwstCbfCQYW7F0l4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Business and Labor Committee heard LB534, the Legislature’s annual claims bill, which requests legislative review and appropriation for several settlements and agency debt write‑offs arising from tort, workers' compensation and miscellaneous claims against the state.

Thomas Helget, legal counsel to the committee, and Sarah Skinner, interim state risk manager, explained the claims process: tort and miscellaneous claims follow administrative filing and agency investigation, and settlements above statutory thresholds require state‑level review and, where necessary, legislative appropriation. The bill aggregates claims that exceed the statutory review threshold and includes multiple categories: indemnification settlements (employment discrimination and federal civil suits), workers' compensation settlements already approved by the Workers' Compensation Court, automobile‑related tort settlements to be paid from the State Insurance Fund, and a set of agency debt write‑offs (debts agencies have pursued but determined uncollectible).

Attorney General staff summarized the higher‑value settlements in LB534. Examples included three indemnification settlements for employee‑related claims (total settlements cited as $135,000; $212,500; and $235,000 with portions previously paid and the remaining amounts submitted for appropriation). Several workers' compensation settlements were listed with totals and amounts previously paid; examples included settlements with total amounts of $375,000, $275,000 and $315,000 with remaining balances submitted for legislative review. Tort claims arising from automobile accidents were aggregated; one high‑value motor vehicle tort settlement involving a Nebraska state patrol trooper was reported as $1,000,000 (the state expected $400,000 reimbursement from the state's excess automobile insurance carrier, reducing net state cost to $600,000 after reimbursement). A vehicular‑pursuit claim was settled for $428,000 with $53,500 previously paid and the remaining amount submitted for review.

A number of state agencies requested statutory authority to write off uncollectible debts. Department of Health and Human Services requested write‑off of approximately $1.424 million in debts across multiple programs (largely due to statute‑of‑limitations expirations, bankruptcies and debtors who are deceased or out of business). Department of Motor Vehicles requested write‑off for international registration plan fees totaling $14,296.88 for accounts tied to carriers that ceased operations. Department of Transportation requested write‑off of approximately $120,741.50 for damage claims to state property deemed uncollectible after collection attempts. The Department of Labor sought write‑off of approximately $90,339.82 in unemployment overpayments discharged in bankruptcy; Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Systems sought write‑off of $49,591.34 for retirement overpayments to deceased members or incorrect refunds that could not be collected.

Nebraska Press Advertising Service explained a $348,654.28 claim to cover constitutionally required publication costs for six ballot measures in the prior election cycle; the service compiled tear sheets and affidavits from 141 legal newspapers and delivered the proof of publication to the Secretary of State.

Committee members asked about timing and reimbursement: the Attorney General stated many settlements require legislative approval before final disbursement; the $1,000,000 tort payment included expected reimbursement from an excess carrier after the state paid the settlement. Members asked about statutes of limitation and why older claims (including 1983 civil‑rights claims) appear; counsel answered that limitation periods vary by claim type and some older claims still reach settlement.

No committee vote was held; the hearing compiled the claims for further committee and floor consideration. The chair noted additional claims would be submitted by the statutory sixtieth day (April 11) and the committee anticipated an amendment and a supplemental hearing to include any later settlements.","LB534 (claims bill) compiles settlements and agency write‑offs requiring legislative appropriation or review, including tort settlements, workers' compensation settlements and agency debt write‑offs; the Department of Administrative Services and Attorney General outlined claims, and agencies explained uncollectible debt categories.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6122059,"Task force on supported employment proposed to increase workforce participation for Nebraskans with disabilities",659,3835000,4494000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2696115-0055f08155821dd06dafcd5915013a04&start=3835&end=4494","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2696115-0055f08155821dd06dafcd5915013a04/thumbnail_3835000.jpg","/articles/6122059/Nebraska/Task-force-on-supported-employment-proposed-to-increase-workforce-participation-for-Nebraskans-with-disabilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122059-c1a33307567d0f976be94dc3344aaa8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037728&Signature=ST7T4fYiLA9Lo9b364cEwLbc3JOKQUgwNlInA25PkNL25JRHdzwROuhh5jC7Kc0dFMDxtxLTDbOEWiesEhcfJRC9a6xZnppDFQzqGq85m1EDJfiypqE8vQ8TRUSWhjpAHmp24BCskjsbdO82vLmptB~pTlJtX59kSb5abdkX4zyIMJcXtxUtF6eiZQVWmZMjMg2ybGQPW4StlqE5PTMAtAePVW2lol7I6qV3B9ke8Ka19Rd9CGpmbOgWoUh6rkNpaA37Z5kQW9F92YGMhxJmtYl1Nh47GB3JzF7QnEvV7YAkSAqYIur0fuLB3tty9LWkMzfaDscm-94-BtXXCjjuSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Danielle Conrad introduced LB336 to establish a task force on supported employment aimed at removing barriers that limit workforce participation for Nebraskans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Conrad said the measure revives work started in recent years — including a 2023 report by Dr. Lisa Mills and a 2024 statewide action plan — and would convene stakeholders from business, labor, disability advocacy groups, state agencies and affected families to develop actionable policy recommendations. The task force would focus on competitive, integrated employment (not sheltered workshop or purely congregate day services) and on supports such as job search assistance, job coaching, assistive technology and steps to reduce benefit cliffs that discourage work.

Multiple disability advocates and provider organizations testified in support. Kristin Larson of the Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities described prior research and a 2023 report that recommended a statewide action plan; the council co‑hosted a 2023 supported‑employment summit and later funded follow‑up work and recommended a continuing, coordinated effort. Stacy Pfeiffer of the Enable Savings Plan and Brad Meurrens of Disability Rights Nebraska supported the task force and highlighted how coordinated engagement with chambers of commerce and employers would increase buy‑in and real job opportunities. Witnesses said the task force would add accountability and make it easier for agencies to coordinate policy changes and pursue strategies that avoid benefit cliffs for workers with disabilities.

Committee members asked whether a statutory task force was necessary versus an informal, voluntary coalition. Conrad said the statute imposes little to no fiscal cost (the bill carried a $0 fiscal note), would be time‑limited, and could produce a report with specific policy recommendations, including ways to reduce negative impacts on benefit eligibility. Witnesses suggested the task force composition should include business and chamber representation so employer concerns and recruitment strategies are part of the work.

Why it matters: Nebraska faces workforce shortages and lower employment rates among people with disabilities than among the general population. Proponents argued that supported employment expands meaningful work opportunities, offers mental‑health and independence benefits to workers, reduces reliance on public programs, and can increase labor force participation with appropriate supports and legal fixes.

The hearing closed after proponents’ testimony; the bill was positioned as a continuation of multi‑year stakeholder work and a venue for producing concrete, fiscally aware policy options for the Legislature to consider.","Sen. Danielle Conrad introduced LB336 to create a time‑limited task force to study and recommend policy changes to increase supported, competitive employment for Nebraskans with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The bill builds on recent reports and a 2024 action plan and would coordinate agencies, employers and advocates.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6122064,"Nebraska bill would update NIL law so universities can directly participate in athlete compensation",526,2912000,3438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2696115-0055f08155821dd06dafcd5915013a04&start=2912&end=3438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2696115-0055f08155821dd06dafcd5915013a04/thumbnail_2912000.jpg","/articles/6122064/Nebraska/Nebraska-bill-would-update-NIL-law-so-universities-can-directly-participate-in-athlete-compensation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122064-245d324756c9760ae103bb3cd3e5c64d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037728&Signature=Xnz1iaPkwB1s-dGaxc2ERXPkFGgAo3lbDoconvzc25VlXsI6NCyDqRsxcVth6NqBEYowTBzFV-xfQLSeRR5jyKz-JmphD3MdtPwwa21-fIZTSlGblIvIlYsDZbXccPfDJvSi34k1JkGs4ueG5Xmdub0tduLm~1SaF-gToMn1kt0dy9uTU~ddPdTyZwTp~y8HYaG8BRr87GXHXQQ62-KNpe1eU-TyN06cUzpJpWMUkC4iFAts9HKJErs~dMeV4a61Ns6mCRZT0CdPEiz7U3nqoIfiN7GLZMhVRcBTG7hlmGW8p8yl4KPSb9nh6K70G~-gUEigdLBdrHuTBPYsYpma2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Megan Hunt introduced LB370, a bill to update Nebraska's student‑athlete name, image and likeness (NIL) law to give athletes and universities clearer authority to enter into NIL agreements and to protect institutions and athletes from penalties under conference or NCAA policies.

Hunt said the bill responds to an evolving national legal landscape, including the U.S. Supreme Court and federal litigation that changed the NCAA’s regulatory environment and a proposed nationwide settlement (House v. NCAA) that could prompt universities and states to adapt statutes so local institutions remain competitive for recruits. The bill would: adopt standards for athlete agents where no certification body exists; protect athlete speech and NIL compensation; require written NIL agreements that spell out terms and remedies; allow universities to provide education to student athletes about NIL; and prohibit the NCAA or conferences from imposing state‑law‑contrary penalties for activity authorized by Nebraska law.

Hunt told the committee she worked with the National College Players Association and University of Nebraska representatives on the drafting; she said the university was monitoring the bill and had not taken an official position for the hearing. She described the bill as intended to preserve recruiting competitiveness and to ensure Nebraska law is aligned with developments in other states that now explicitly permit athletic programs to directly participate in NIL deals and compensation.

Committee members asked whether the bill applies equally to athletes of all genders and to transgender athletes; Hunt replied the bill does not specify gender and applies to athletes generally. Senators also asked about the reach of the bill across divisions; Hunt said NIL opportunities are available to athletes from many institutions and that the statutory changes aim to remove legal uncertainty so schools and athletes are not disadvantaged in recruiting.

No formal committee action occurred at the hearing. Hunt said the University of Nebraska remains a partner in the discussions but had chosen no official position at this time while it reviewed finer details.

Why it matters: the bill would modernize Nebraska’s NIL statute to reflect recent national court rulings and settlement activity that have enabled greater athlete compensation and could expose universities that do not adapt to competitive disadvantages. Proponents framed LB370 as protecting student athletes’ commercial rights and ensuring universities can legally educate and assist athletes without risking sanctions under conference rules; the university indicated ongoing review.","Sen. Megan Hunt introduced LB370 to amend Nebraska’s student athlete name, image and likeness (NIL) statute so universities and conferences can more clearly support and potentially compensate athletes, aligning state law with recent litigation and settlement activity affecting the NCAA.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6122068,"Senator Cavanaugh introduces voluntary paid family and medical leave plan for Nebraska",1301,201000,1502000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2696115-0055f08155821dd06dafcd5915013a04&start=201&end=1502","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2696115-0055f08155821dd06dafcd5915013a04/thumbnail_201000.jpg","/articles/6122068/Nebraska/Senator-Cavanaugh-introduces-voluntary-paid-family-and-medical-leave-plan-for-Nebraska","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122068-e568b59f3f3c5ef6c684692bbbdc66b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037728&Signature=S6pLrNS4x7bqDIssVL6rzcj4hacq9fgufuJ3HaW~Pba2TE~I7sP7B5j7A-4gozMph95wW~FmtCyw7g6vCNCu5LQLMTOcr14FwvEz6BIQEr1asgWyPD3-wg00Lvs2M0mjIBZtwUjE0Jv0DtO44OwdJTfGcIDbKRkQO6LjStsZmaTCRV5Xr~JUVGw2ztDPz7CA56N10ASWlbgT1GA3XoYU2bCGWNk~4mMOZWDeErT4IB2LCBrxZrFtj3xv0lrbf83Y9w9bq2gylQ4WWQ1XC5BuZBa6HGxYLk4eUSAeg9qO-wPxjZw8iGIOfTdRMlywNpTRUK2nLd4xGpqNkMqvwHELzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Mikaela Cavanaugh introduced LB189 to the Business and Labor Committee, proposing a statewide paid family and medical leave program administered by the Nebraska Department of Labor.

The bill would create a voluntary insurance‑style program funded primarily through employee payroll contributions, with employers allowed (but not required) to contribute. Participating workers could receive partial wage replacement for qualifying events such as their own serious illness, caring for a family member, birth or placement of a child, and certain military exigencies. Cavanaugh told the committee the program would be “100% voluntary” for employers and employees and modeled administratively on state unemployment insurance systems.

The proposal includes a one‑week waiting period and would allow up to 12 weeks of leave for full‑time or intermittent qualifying events. Benefits are calculated as a percentage of a worker’s average weekly wage compared with the state average weekly wage: wages at or below the state average (cited by the introducer as $671) would be reimbursed at roughly 90%; wages above that threshold would receive a smaller percentage (discussed as approximately 50% in committee exchange). Cavanaugh said erroneously paid benefits could be reclaimed or offset from future payments and that a covered individual who presents false statements would be disqualified for one year.

Administration and costs: the Department of Labor would administer the program and the Commissioner of Labor would promulgate rules, forms and complaint processes. The bill proposes a one‑time transfer of $5.5 million from the health care cash fund to seed the paid leave fund; that cash advance would be repaid by the fund if and when reserves permit. The department’s fiscal assumptions included an estimate that 10% of the covered workforce would apply for benefits in the early years (approximately 99,706 applicants and 84,750 approved under that assumption), producing estimated annual benefit payments of about $385 million and requiring an initial operations staffing level the department estimated at 32 FTEs. Cavanaugh and committee members discussed that the Department of Labor’s cost and staffing estimates assume the fund will be self‑sustaining once premiums are collected.

Supporters who testified said the bill would reduce economic hardship for families and improve workforce retention. Justin Hubley of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees (AFSCME Local 61) said state employees frequently contact the union about family leave struggles and endorsed the state‑run approach as one that would serve employees who have not banked paid time off. Anahi Salazar of Voices for Children emphasized child and maternal health benefits, and Erin Feichtinger of Women’s Fund of Omaha highlighted evidence linking paid leave to improved employment retention and lower reliance on public assistance. Ken Smith of Nebraska Appleseed and other proponents stressed that most Nebraska workers currently lack paid family leave and that the payroll‑deduction financing model is commonly used in other states.

Committee questions focused on eligibility and scope. Members pressed whether the bill copies federal FMLA eligibility rules (12 months’ employment and 1,250 hours in the prior 12 months) and whether the federal employer‑size threshold (50 employees in a 75‑mile radius) would affect participation; Cavanaugh said she intended to align definitions with the federal law but acknowledged the bill could be clarified by amendment. Senators also asked why employers would voluntarily contribute if employees could draw benefits funded by employee contributions; proponents replied employers view paid leave as a recruitment and retention tool and some Nebraska employers already offer paid leave voluntarily.

Several senators asked about program risk if claims exceeded fund reserves. Cavanaugh said the proposal follows a FIFO claims payment model and that, if the fund were exhausted, there would be no automatic additional state general fund obligation; the startup loan is intended to bridge early costs and be repaid by the fund. Committee members asked for a list of other states with paid‑leave laws and distinctions between mandatory programs and this voluntary design; the committee was told a number of states and D.C. have enacted paid leave programs (later enumerated by a witness as California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and D.C.).

The hearing record included 29 proponents, 12 opponents and one neutral position filed online for LB189, according to the introducer’s statement to the committee. No formal committee vote on LB189 occurred at the hearing; the bill advanced to a public hearing and question period.

Why it matters: supporters told the committee the bill would help workers avoid choosing between wages and caregiving at times of serious health or family need, reduce turnover costs for employers, and improve child and maternal health outcomes. Opponents and skeptical senators raised questions about employer incentives under a voluntary model, the scope of state exposure if claims rise quickly, and whether the bill should instead require or allow different eligibility rules than federal FMLA.

The committee did not adopt amendments during the hearing. The bill remains under committee consideration for future amendment and potential subsequent fiscal analysis.","Sen. Cavanaugh introduced LB189 to create a voluntary Paid Family and Medical Leave program administered by the Department of Labor. The bill would let employees opt in via payroll contributions, allow employers to opt in voluntarily, seed start‑up costs from the health care cash fund and provide partial wage replacement for qualifying events.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears short bill to permit legislative disapproval of certain claims decisions

Business and Labor Committee hears annual claims bill asking Legislature to approve state settlements and write‑offs

Task force on supported employment proposed to increase workforce participation for Nebraskans with disabilities

Nebraska bill would update NIL law so universities can directly participate in athlete compensation

Senator Cavanaugh introduces voluntary paid family and medical leave plan for Nebraska