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Senators advance bill expanding state hiring preference for veterans and certain spouses
Summary
LB 144 would broaden Nebraska's veteran hiring preference for state jobs to include spouses of service members killed in the line of duty, spouses of disabled veterans and spouses of active-duty service members or reservists; committee amendment removes the word "promotion" and applies preference equally among preference-eligible candidates.
Lincoln, Neb. — The Legislature advanced LB 144 after senators debated changes that would broaden veteran hiring preference for state employment to additional spouses of service members and alter how preference is applied among candidates.
Senator Kathleen Rountree introduced LB 144, saying the bill would expand an existing preference that currently applies when two equally qualified candidates apply for the same state position. The bill would extend preference to spouses of veterans killed in the line of duty, spouses of certain disabled veterans and spouses of active-duty service members and reservists, and would expand the circumstances under which preference is applied.
Senator Kaut explained a committee amendment that removed the word "promotion" from bill language to avoid using preference in promotion decisions. As amended, if two or more preference-eligible candidates are considered for a position, the veteran preference shall be applied equally to all such preference eligibles.
Senator Rippey expressed concern about extending preference to spouses during floor questions but the sponsor and others argued the change supports workforce retention and recruitment, especially in communities connected to Offutt Air Force Base. Senator Rob Conrad noted the bill's role in workforce development and in reducing barriers to employment for military families.
AM 1 75 (committee amendment) was adopted on the floor with the clerk recording 40 ayes and 1 nay. The bill was advanced to E & R initial with 39 ayes and no nays recorded.
Senator Rountree said the committee voted 7-0 to place the bill on general file and that the measure had no opposition testimony and no fiscal impact noted in committee materials.
The bill will proceed through standard floor stages; supporters said it aligns state practice more closely with federal veterans' hiring preferences and aims to help military families find employment and establish roots in Nebraska communities.
