Last week brought significant positive developments for LB304. First Five Nebraska thanks members of the Nebraska Health and Human Services Committee for advancing LB304 to the floor, and the Appropriations Committee for providing funding and folding the language into the budget. Because the original language for LB304 has been included in the state’s budget, Speaker John Arch has said LB304 will not be scheduled for debate. Instead, the Legislature will consider this language when they debate the budget package (LB1071 and LB1072) on Select File this week.
This important next step will help make sure child care remains within reach of more Nebraska families. We once again thank State Senator Wendy DeBoer for her leadership and we now ask the Nebraska Legislature to get this legislation across the finish line.
As a reminder, this language makes current income eligibility levels for child care assistance permanent. By making current income eligibility levels permanent, we’re choosing long-term stability for our families, our kids and our state’s economy. Check out LB304: Child Care Assistance for Working Families for more information and to learn how you can take action.
Budget Bills Advance, Debate Over Shortfall Continues
Also last week, the Nebraska Legislature debated midbiennium budget adjustments and ultimately advancing two key measures—LB1071, the primary budget adjustment bill, and LB1072—to Select File (the second of three stages of debate). These advances were not without controversy, particularly surrounding proposed “cash fund sweeps” which helped recover roughly $500 million. A remaining shortfall of $125 million to $140 million still needs to be resolved. Discussions over how to close the remaining gap has generated vigorous debate.
The Legislature is down to 14 days remaining for General and Select File debate. Speaker Arch urged restraint in adding controversial amendments or attaching additional legislation to priority bills, which would reduce the number of proposals that move forward.
First Five Nebraska Priority Legislation
- LB721 (Quick) – Helps intergenerational care facilities, including for-profit facilities serving Medicaid residents, receive grant funding to help cover expansion costs. LB721 has advanced to Final Reading, the last round of debate. Read FFN’s LB721 Policy Brief
- LB773 (Dungan) – Removes the sunset date from the Prenatal Plus program, extends the program to cover 60 days postpartum and ensures that reporting on the efficacy of the program continues until 2034. Unfortunately, this bill did not advance from the Health and Human Services Committee and will need to be reintroduced in a future session. We thank Senator Dungan for his work on this bill and look forward to working with him again. 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. This bill has moved to Select File as part of the LB912 Committee priority package—AM2224. Read FFN’s LB891 Policy Brief
- LB903 (Storer) – Allows case managers to refer 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. A Committee amendment, AM1869, changes the age of the child to under age 3. The bill has advanced to Final Reading. Read FFN’s 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 Care Food Program at the higher Tier 1 level and provide additional reimbursement for all meals and supplements. This resolution was heard by the Health and Human Services Committee and FFN is working to ensure this LR moves to the floor. Read FFN’s LR296 hearing testimony
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