[{"_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",6242773,"mediaKeyId","3244958-ec6aec5fec65b200e1516286c513da69","parentId",3244958,"title","Senator proposes firefighter occupational-cancer presumption as amendment; chair rules proposal not germane","audioSeconds",587,"startMs",11362000,"endMs",11949000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3244958-ec6aec5fec65b200e1516286c513da69&start=11362&end=11949","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3244958-ec6aec5fec65b200e1516286c513da69/thumbnail_11362000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6242773/Nebraska/Senator-proposes-firefighter-occupational-cancer-presumption-as-amendment-chair-rules-proposal-not-germane","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242773-06014144236f442f443e57da7800ff4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775569822&Signature=iV4yfvrnVbaf125kB1mLbJmQ3YMAvNXIaupg2~6TuD-B~urPjXwEaWns0VmL8q-QFUhcCfaakox~NtsCzmc6Rml~CzUThPLxoHFvlT6yFGnGXolPvVImJK3VsUtm90NpZhD7KTpDwUzWdbgA-L5boEBaLAn5Co97lrHEgbtSlsf8sB8qzT1d7WRFw1GX2nftKBcxc3tvMJJSf-qp2QMl9NeqWOWb5mXlaTtqwjtUZtnIMWMvq-AiJMTbzuQu561drg-8c2bf-kQOPLo--ZyhRECMhAfcim9JFGNTcTe2Pnr-2UgnGsJ13--8WNF48sya9DSOy6XMOnNp6bKJR4K~5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Legislature","date","2025-05-08T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Mike Werticamper introduced AM11:29 to LB608 to create a rebuttable presumption under Nebraska's workers' compensation law that certain cancers diagnosed in firefighters with five or more years of service are occupational diseases tied to line-of-duty exposures.

Werticamper described the proposal as modeled on existing law in other states and aimed at recruitment and retention: the amendment would cover both volunteer and career firefighters, require at least five years of service, allow rebuttal if a cancer resulted from non-occupational causes, and limit the presumption to cancers scientifically linked to known carcinogens firefighters encounter. He cited National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health studies and the International Association of Firefighters' finding that cancer was the leading cause of career line-of-duty deaths from 2002 to 2019.

Senator Hallstrom challenged the germaneness of AM11:29 to LB608. The chair ruled AM11:29 not germane to LB608. Senator Werticamper then moved to overrule the chair and argued the amendment was properly related to recruitment and retention provisions in the underlying bill; he said, \"We can't get people to come do the job\" and framed the change as a balanced workers' compensation approach. Senator Kautz supported the motion to overrule and described cancer risk in firefighting protective gear as a recruitment issue.

The transcript records the motion to overrule and extended debate but does not include the chair-overrule vote result before the chamber recessed. Sponsors and supporters said they would continue to pursue the policy and highlighted the recruitment and public-safety rationale for addressing occupational cancer presumptions.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Legislative Morning Session 5/8/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senator Mike Werticamper introduced AM1129 to create a rebuttable workers'comp presumption for certain cancers among firefighters; the chair ruled the amendment not germane to LB608 and Senator Werticamper moved to overrule the chair, prompting further debate.","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},6242778,"Legislature clears annual state claims bill totaling several million for settlements and write-offs",1249,4433000,5682000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3244958-ec6aec5fec65b200e1516286c513da69&start=4433&end=5682","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3244958-ec6aec5fec65b200e1516286c513da69/thumbnail_4433000.jpg","/articles/6242778/Nebraska/Legislature-clears-annual-state-claims-bill-totaling-several-million-for-settlements-and-write-offs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242778-a9e4a3eeb2e2cf3913e4ee001446c931/orig.mp4?Expires=1775569822&Signature=fkBly0W2LMn88ygAimm8Cj1kmimwkaJNMwlpaKItcRADzuxi6q8Kypz9XQq79mHhccC3lEcR~vw0mXhAZQLhhmZIfrileOuyqbhhbLrV3EoSMexXtwYa25KR7TcryW30kc0J1WxX65oeDTpyReSCXMhDQMoaGeHFEByp23JyM49o4tb4Wwqk19uzdPnV5n9Jqw4TXK-2t7flSuzwTton4BSKSTQzydTIIx2nFJuq~TakL-lvQR1QkKhXlm2pg-x~92Ey0jtImUhlFi3KXtuPC9bX9wtyXoksyx-1OA2RX-YsS3XtDbeyz~OHfn-SSkXJoBzL77b3qvj8P41Xe6XVSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Machaela Kaut presented LB534, the Legislature's annual state claims bill, detailing 18 claims, multiple settlements, and requests to write off uncollectible debts.

Kaut summarized the bill and its committee amendment (AM1243), providing a line-by-line accounting: general fund claims totaling $2,023,191.75; workers' compensation settlements of $1,260,000 to be paid from the Workers' Compensation Claims Revolving Fund; State Insurance Fund payouts of $1,446,454.12 for tort claims; and agency write-offs totaling $1,767,570.24. Kaut described several high-profile items, including a $445,000 settlement related to the 2020 murder of an incarcerated person at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (first $50,000 already paid), a $212,500 settlement for alleged abuse in a placement and earlier $50,000 paid, and a $950,000 claim related to a state trooper's illegal U-turn that caused serious injuries.

Senator Spivey emphasized that many of these payouts stem from institutional practices and urged upstream reforms, noting the human and taxpayer costs of avoidable harm. Senator Conrad also urged that the settlements underscore the legislature's need to restore oversight and inspector-general access to troubled agencies.

The committee amendment AM1243, which consolidated and updated the list of claims, was adopted 36-0, and the bill was advanced to E & R initial on a 37-0 recorded vote. Kaut urged the body to \"please vote green on AM1243 and LB534.\"

","Senator Machaela Kaut presented LB534, the annual state claims bill, which includes payments to accident victims, line-of-duty and wrongful-death settlements, workers' compensation settlements, and agency write-offs totaling several million dollars; the committee amendment AM1243 was adopted and the bill advanced.",{"_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},6242786,"Legislature amends LB521 after debates over foster-care board meetings and municipal election timing",1107,6780000,7887000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3244958-ec6aec5fec65b200e1516286c513da69&start=6780&end=7887","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3244958-ec6aec5fec65b200e1516286c513da69/thumbnail_6780000.jpg","/articles/6242786/Nebraska/Legislature-amends-LB521-after-debates-over-foster-care-board-meetings-and-municipal-election-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242786-68dbce3c6bf7710a7c8027d61a3dc4b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775569822&Signature=RE0ltwvbFAwP9izyUayPsciJwZlPaVJlkL4~R-bAp0sECzN3J2fmtUbLw1Vn~suCorGpZeRj-BHCjfRc7LWoVTwi6JJ6rk6seBLjx0D7J7fK-Rqy-OJX3W2sTdPnk4-BsGI7LcG09rqzV0Ljr~9HrGoQ9ZisOsnYlRdRWgx1kosUZuoPljB2OeyIFpG1xi~56-KexE8TiP7fIGdnZkKHftmZvNUs8Wc7XhnoYCuAjgRFOYiupfox0GVwdO5JYfp5RnevmPTEDlbmokQz15roziFOaCQkYT7-jJ9xcz89QIukYZu~hWgHUZsSJs3tpyG65XjGz7goN36pPmJ~Ucg6dw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Legislature adopted several floor amendments to LB521 addressing multiple local-government procedures, including clarifying petition circulation rules, adjusting vacancy procedures for metropolitan cities and taking up contested changes on the timing of municipal elections.

Senator Lynne Sanders' AM1333 removed a provision that would have limited petition circulation within 200 feet of secure ballot drop boxes and added language harmonizing vacancy procedures for metropolitan city council and mayor vacancies. Senator Sanders said the amendment \"was to remove section 77\" and to align vacancy language for the city of Omaha.

A contentious portion of LB521 would permit municipal elections to be moved in certain cities; Senator John Kavanaugh's language would allow the city of a metropolitan class and, as amended, cities of the primary class to optionally move municipal election timing. Floor debate focused on the city-of-the-primary-class (Lincoln) inclusion. Senator Dungan offered FA191 to remove cities of the primary class (Lincoln) from that portion, saying Lincoln's charter and local offices (school board, airport authority) have nuances that require separate consideration. Senator John Kavanaugh said his original intent was to address Omaha and he was willing to have Lincoln considered separately as a stand-alone bill; he supported Dungan's amendment. The motion to reconsider the vote on FA191 failed on a later roll call (motion to reconsider: 18 ayes, 26 nays), so Lincoln remained excluded by the adopted change.

The bill also included foster-care-related language. Senator Boston offered FA190 regarding local foster care review boards and confidentiality for sensitive case discussions. Senator Boston said local boards are already \"allowed to be exempt from the Open Meetings Act whenever discussing things like confidential protected nature of child specific and family specific information.\" Senator Mikaela Kavanaugh described why her office and boards had sought clarity: during the COVID-19 pandemic local boards met by Zoom and an assistant attorney general later advised they were public bodies subject to the Open Meetings Act. FA190 was adopted 31-0.

Sponsor and floor managers said they will work during the interim on technical language and consider further study where stakeholders request more time to craft permanent changes.

","On LB521, senators adopted amendments that affect local foster care review boards' meeting methods and clarify municipal vacancy procedures; a proposed change to move city elections for primary-class cities drew extended floor debate and a failed reconsideration vote.",{"_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},6242793,"Senators approve 1.5% judicial pay increase after floor debate on timing and budget tradeoffs",3285,1086000,4371000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3244958-ec6aec5fec65b200e1516286c513da69&start=1086&end=4371","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3244958-ec6aec5fec65b200e1516286c513da69/thumbnail_1086000.jpg","/articles/6242793/Nebraska/Senators-approve-15-judicial-pay-increase-after-floor-debate-on-timing-and-budget-tradeoffs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242793-15b01fc22e4cd8761fa2b5ffcc8f9565/orig.mp4?Expires=1775569822&Signature=ll2RXETyamYf61IUYIh~vTd9VbfdWotO44qcBQ1neIlQ6e0CSgkKKQbxeQ~LMOKuM08oTvJKXOyN7aQj~QVmZVjfmfOHQvC58opePCGHtrRgcsfnCZsqR1423xNwLDI-E9WxXS0yD3AyqCsZuPhzF9A6FqGdL-4QJdfGJdd-HeHPWdMF-KDyKpC41MTkYTdk3UaBJXyyx9F1Pke6~GsURQTsI6vx6X6EeAJcTcq~RsfoZADT8vY5NDnqbdQtTaxlPt3tcXl-z9qARKFVbqyiNMd~zguY8tgNjcfvc0I6zjcPuOak8xaPfg--IbgizSGUDgESV7uzODflqNV1G-QNGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators adopted AM1157 and advanced LB513, a bill to raise Nebraska judges' salaries, after hours of floor debate that focused on budget trade-offs, equity with other state pay, and the recruitment and retention of qualified jurists.

Senator Kathleen Boson, sponsor of the judiciary committee amendment, urged colleagues to back AM1157 and the underlying bill, saying the increase is part of ensuring \"qualified judges who understand the importance of what they're doing\" and warning that a lack of applicants had delayed judicial nominations in the past. Boson asked senators to \"again ask for your green vote on AM11:57 and ultimately on LB513.\"

Opponents, including Senator John Kavanaugh and Senator Mikaela Kavanaugh, argued the timing was poor amid budget pressures from other program cuts and cash transfers. Senator John Kavanaugh said, \"I'm not in favor of us making that choice to push this cost onto families going to the state park,\" and warned the increase would be paid for by drawing down fees and transfers from other programs. Senator Mikaela Kavanaugh opposed the bill on equity grounds, saying legislators should \"be focusing on the needs of the people and the least of us\" and cited unmet priorities such as Medicaid dental reimbursements.

Senator Don Clemens, who worked on the Appropriations Committee, supported the 1.5% increase and said he had built the $1,500,000 cost into the budget over the next two years; Senator Hallstrom likewise urged support, saying four-year averages for judge pay remain below inflation. Debate also touched on the relationship between pay and the willingness of judges to operate problem-solving courts.

The Legislature adopted AM11:57 on a 26-5 recorded vote and later advanced LB513 to E & R initial on a 29-6 recorded vote. Supporters said the modest increase helps recruitment and retention; opponents said the state is shifting costs by reallocating funds from other programs and fee-based funds.

","The Legislature adopted an amendment to raise judges' salaries 1.5% over the next two years (AM1157) and advanced LB513 after extended floor debate about affordability, equity, and recruitment.",{"_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},6242798,"Neb. senators advance bill ending state use of foster youths’ Social Security for care costs",146,634000,780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3244958-ec6aec5fec65b200e1516286c513da69&start=634&end=780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3244958-ec6aec5fec65b200e1516286c513da69/thumbnail_634000.jpg","/articles/6242798/Nebraska/Neb-senators-advance-bill-ending-state-use-of-foster-youths-Social-Security-for-care-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242798-ca54becad30fb6f903cce3b6ba4a080a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775569822&Signature=asGZJPRGNevYDanWihM5khj8xz-Ucw07QCYBDm5LQf-g4UJ19LSo5hEjbWAyjB8kB8rreEpVNit-BXq0DK-sPDDXcak6Oro9ddJl1R4au9hwwKJMUY7xVlreqr5Oo94JxEJkspOxHmtTK0a9SJXhMJFfo34B1IhU~U-jkDyK-sPs0tHOPkyvWk9LYgdifIfzrA8AHDPCJ-x8Y2~goYowhMlzw85DkTdodJgs604hDmv3byaGEMCsJG9WJ4Yfl0b7jPMRNfQO6cNHDxmgygmwwE7s24WhIwG7bE5JH4-kOkic6gsOMDobdbDH4n4mcqc5bRVF9EW3wkXdQalqig2TWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Megan Hunt advanced an amendment and the A bill version of LB275A Wednesday to limit the state's practice of using foster youths' Social Security benefits to pay for their care.

The bill's sponsor, Senator Megan Hunt, said the amended language reduces administrative burdens on the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, halves required conserved amounts compared with the original draft, and \"maximized the department's drawdown of federal title 9 e funds available to states for foster care maintenance payments and administrative costs.\" Hunt said the changes restore broader authority for the department to use a youth's benefits \"so long as they are used in the child's best interest.\"

In opening, Hunt said the practice takes Social Security benefits that belong to foster youth and uses them to pay for the cost of their care \"which of course, no other foster youth do we do that to\" and that the benefits \"are for those kids.\" The senator noted a new, smaller fiscal note tied to the amendment: general fund expenditures of $958,512 for fiscal year 2026-27. She also pointed to a recent Missouri law banning the practice as context for the policy direction.

Supporters and the bill sponsor said the amended bill reduces the highest costs from the original fiscal note while preserving the intent to save a percentage of funds for youth when they leave care. The legislative clerk recorded the advancement vote as 36 ayes, no nays on the motion to advance LB275A to E & R initial.

The bill will return on select file for further action and debate as part of the legislature's process.

","Lawmakers advanced LB275A, a bill that narrows the state's practice of using Social Security benefits that belong to some foster youth to pay for their care, after sponsor Senator Hunt described negotiated changes with DHHS and advocates.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senator proposes firefighter occupational-cancer presumption as amendment; chair rules proposal not germane

Legislature clears annual state claims bill totaling several million for settlements and write-offs

Legislature amends LB521 after debates over foster-care board meetings and municipal election timing

Senators approve 1.5% judicial pay increase after floor debate on timing and budget tradeoffs

Neb. senators advance bill ending state use of foster youths’ Social Security for care costs