Nebraska bill would require vendors to disclose contracts with ICE, sponsor says

Sen. Megan Hunt introduced LB1149 to the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, saying the measure would require private entities that seek state contracts to disclose whether they have a contractual relationship with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

"This bill does not tell any agency that they cannot contract with or must disqualify an entity from state contract eligibility," Hunt told the panel. "It simply makes that additional piece of information known so that it can be viewed along with other required information about the vendor so that the public can access it if they want to."

Supporters described the change as limited and aimed at increasing public transparency. Sean Hill, who identified himself as having federal contracting experience, said federal postings such as sam.gov and FOIA responses can be slow or heavily redacted, and that LB1149 addresses a gap in public access. "On belief, LB1149 addresses the spirit of some concerns," Hill testified.

Committee members pressed sponsors on whether the proposed state disclosure would duplicate existing federal publications. Senator Anderson noted that federal agencies sometimes publish contract data; Hunt said FOIA responses are often delayed and redacted and that LB1149 would only record whether a contract exists, not the details of the contract.

Chair Sanders read the online record showing 19 proponents and 47 opponents submitted comments for the hearing. No formal action or vote occurred; the bill will return to the committee for further consideration.

Why it matters: Supporters say LB1149 would make it easier for Nebraskans to find whether companies doing business with state agencies also contract with ICE. Opponents who filed online comments questioned whether the state requirement is necessary given existing federal disclosure mechanisms.