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Committee considers expanding loan-repayment aid to more Nebraska counties to address rural lawyer shortages
Summary
LB11-99 would expand eligibility for Nebraska's Legal Education for Public Service and Rural Practice loan repayment program by raising the population threshold to 75,000, proponents said; supporters including the Nebraska State Bar Association and county attorneys argued the program effectively recruits and retains attorneys in underserved counties, while administrators warned funding must increase to keep award levels meaningful.
Senator Iba's office presented LB11-99 to the Judiciary Committee on Jan. 30; legislative aide Tyler Mahood said the bill would expand the population threshold used to determine rural eligibility from 50,000 to 75,000 and create a placeholder for additional funding. "LB 11 99 is a small step towards addressing" the shortage of attorneys in Greater Nebraska, Mahood said.
Judge John Gerrard, president of the Nebraska State Bar Association, testified in support and cited survey and field work showing 12 counties have zero lawyers and an additional 22 counties have three or fewer. Gerrard described student-loan burdens—citing ABA 2024 median-debt figures—and argued loan-assistance programs change young attorneys' location decisions. He said the expansion would add 16 counties to eligibility.
Todd Lancaster, chief counsel for the Commission on Public Advocacy and program administrator, said the program currently awards about 40 participants annually, with typical awards between $3,700 and $5,000. Participants sign three-year contracts and face clawback obligations if they leave early. Lancaster and others said expanding eligibility without additional funding could dilute awards and reduce the program's recruiting power.
County attorneys and public defenders from affected counties also testified in favor, saying vacancies, unfilled public-defender contracts and heavy caseloads demonstrate the need to widen the program's reach. The Attorney General's office signaled support for the policy goal but said support was contingent on identifying funding sources other than the Attorney General's cash fund.
No vote was taken at the Jan. 30 hearing. Committee members asked for details on program administration, clawback and funding sources; administrators said they are pursuing additional funding and that the current program has demonstrable success recruiting attorneys to rural posts.
