Bill introductions have concluded in the Nebraska Legislature with 545 new bills and Constitutional amendments introduced. Legislative hearings are underway, and over the upcoming weeks, every new bill introduced will receive a hearing prior to the beginning of full-day debate on March 3.
The Appropriations Committee is reviewing midbiennium budget recommendations from agencies and Governor Pillen, and making recommendations on what to include (or not) in a preliminary budget. Hearings for the Appropriations Committee are scheduled to begin February 2, and with only 21 legislative days to complete their public hearings and craft a final budget recommendation, time will certainly be a constraint. Governor Pillen’s proposed adjustments to the state’s biennial budget—previewed during his State of the State Address—include significant spending reductions aimed at closing a projected $471 million shortfall.
LB304 Update
LB304 continues to be the top priority for First Five Nebraska this session. The bill makes current income eligibility levels for child care assistance permanent.
We thank State Senator Wendy DeBoer for designating LB304 her priority this session, and we also thank the bipartisan group of senators who are supporting the legislation. Quality child care is a necessity for Nebraska’s working families. By making current income eligibility levels permanent, we’re choosing long-term stability for our families, our kids and our state’s economy.
LB304 is in the Health and Human Services Committee, and we’re working with committee members to move it to General File. But we need your help. Check out LB304: Child Care Assistance for Working Families for more information on LB304 and learn how you can take action, including submitting a letter of support.
Bill Watch: First Five Nebraska’s Priority Legislation
FFN has several other priority bills this session that have already had hearings or will have hearings in committees soon. They include:
- LB721 (Quick): Helps intergenerational care facilities, including for-profit facilities serving Medicaid residents, receive grant funding to help cover expansion costs. The Health and Human Services Committee had a hearing on LB721 on January 22. Read FFN’s LB721 hearing testimony | LB721 Policy Brief
- LB773 (Dungan): Removes the sunset date on the Prenatal Plus program, extends the program to cover 60 days postpartum and ensures that reporting on the efficacy of Prenatal Plus continues until 2034. The Health and Human Services Committee will hold a hearing on LB773 on February 5. Read FFN’s LB773 Policy Brief
- LB891 (Hansen): Addresses several administrative burdens identified by child care providers that impact staffing needs and program viability, including delays in processing federally required fingerprint-based background checks. The Health and Human Services Committee heard this bill on January 28. Read FFN’s LB891 hearing testimony | LB891 Policy Brief
- LB903 (Storer): Allows case managers to consider referring families to home visiting services if they have a child under age 2, and helps ensure home visiting programs are able to draw down federal funding to support young families and sustain programs. The Health and Human Services Committee had a hearing on this bill on January 28. Read FFN’s LB903 testimony | LB903 Policy Brief
- LR296 (Hallstrom): This Resolution encourages Congress and the President to reimburse all family child care homes participating in the Child and Adult Food Program at the higher Tier 1 level and provide additional reimbursement for all meals and supplements. It has been referred to the Health and Human Services Committee.
Track legislation: FFN has released a complete list of bills we’re following on our Legislative Watchlist to help you stay updated on their status. To see any requests for support on specific issues, follow FFN on Facebook, LinkedIn or X. Watch live coverage of debate and hearings on Nebraska Public Media.
Important Dates to Follow
February 17—–Deadline for submitting Speaker Priority bill requests
February 19—–Deadline for designating Committee and Senator Priority bills
February 27—–Nebraska Forecasting Advisory Board meeting
February 27—–Public hearings end
March 3———–Full-day floor debate begins
March 9———–Deadline for Appropriations Committee midbiennium budget bills placed on General File
March 17———Potential start of legislative late-nights through April 8
April 17 Tentative Sine Die adjournment
