The Legislature adjourned on Thursday afternoon for a long four-day weekend and will resume General File debate when they return next Tuesday.
While the Legislature has efficiently processed bills and encountered a few speed bumps along the way, a number of controversial bills, (Legislative Bill 10 – Winner-take-all system for electing presidential candidates) and Legislative Bill 111 (Voter ID requirements), have surfaced on the legislative agenda and will likely slow down the legislative process over the next few weeks.
Committee Action
Last week, NFIB State Director Robert Hallstrom presented testimony in opposition to Legislative Bill 493, the Healthy and Safe Families Workplace Act. Introduced by Sen. Jeremy Nordquist (Omaha), LB 493 would allow employees to accrue a minimum of one hour of paid sick and safe time (provided to employees who are victims of domestic violence) for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year.
Upcoming Hearings
February 18 – Revenue Committee
Legislative Bill 280–Local Income Tax Surtax – Property Tax Relief: Sen. Al Davis (Hyannis) has sponsored legislation that would authorize a school-funding surtax (19 percent to 29 percent of state income tax liability) and reduce the levy authority of school districts and learning communities. (NFIB Position – Oppose)
Legislative Bill 357–Income Taxation: Sen. Jim Smith (Papillion), has introduced legislation that would phase in reduced income tax rates from 2016 through 2024 and reduce corporate income tax rates from 2016 through 2023. The bill would also transfer $40 million from the Cash Reserve Fund to the Property Tax Credit Cash Fund for 2015 and 2016. (NFIB Position – Support)
February 18 – Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee
Legislative Bill 395–Economic Development – Nebraska Enterprise Act: Sen. Ken Schilz (Ogallala) is the sponsor of LB 395, which would establish and authorize the Nebraska Enterprise Fund Authority to award grants for business recruitment and relocation, capital improvement, and infrastructure development. The measure would establish a priority for grants to small businesses in this state that commit to using the grants to create additional jobs, and to small businesses (fewer than 100 employees) from outside the state to commit to relocate to Nebraska and for projects that create 100 or fewer additional jobs. (NFIB Position – Support)
Small Business Day at the Capitol
NFIB/Nebraska will co-sponsor Small Business Day at the Capitol March 31 in Lincoln.
NFIB’s co-sponsors are the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln Independent Business Association and Nebraskans For Workers’ Compensation Equity and Fairness.
Small Business Day gives NFIB members an opportunity to network with other small-business owners. Gov. Pete Ricketts is expected to speak, and there will be a legislative briefing by state senators.
Details on the time and location of Small Business Day at the Capitol will be released soon. Check www.NFIB.com/NE for the latest information.
Past Reports
