Session in Full Swing
The Legislature continues to methodically process bills that have advanced to General File. Morning floor debate and afternoon committee hearings will continue through March 20, with all-day floor debate slated to commence on March 23.
Beginning February 23, senators and committees may designate their priority bills for the session. Each senator may select one bill as his or her individual priority bill, while each committee is allowed to select two of the bills that have been heard by the committee. The deadline for designating individual and committee priority bills is March 12. The Speaker of the legislature can designate up to 25 additional bills as “Speaker” priority bills. The deadline for designating Speaker priority bills is March 16.
Committee Hearing Action
During the past week, NFIB State Director Robert Hallstrom presented testimony on each of the following bills:
- Legislative Bill 226–Securities Act/Crowd Funding: Introduced by Sen. Colby Coash (Lincoln), LB 226 would exempt “crowdfunding” from registration under the Securities Act of Nebraska (issuer of the security is a business entity organized under the laws of Nebraska and authorized to do business in Nebraska; transaction meets requirements for federal exemption for interstate offerings under the Securities Act of 1933; the sum to be received for all sales of the security, excluding sales to any accredited investor: (a) does not exceed $1 million in cases in which the issuer has not made documentation from a financial audit available to each prospective investor; or (b) $2 million if such disclosure has been made). The bill would limit the maximum amount of sales of the security to a single purchaser to $5,000 other than purchases by accredited investors. (NFIB Position – Support)
- Legislative Bill 494–Minimum Wage: Introduced by Sen. Jeremy Nordquist (Omaha), LB 494 would gradually increase the state minimum wage rate for “tipped” employees from the current rate of $2.13 per hour to $3.00 in 2015-16, with annual increases of 95 cents per hour until the wage rate reaches 50 percent of the state minimum wage. (NFIB Position – Oppose)
- Legislative Bill 599–Minimum Wage: Introduced by Sen. Laura Ebke (Crete), LB 599 would authorize employers to pay young student workers (18 years of age or younger, attending any public or private high school, not eligible for the student learners vocational training wage) to be paid at a rate of $7.25 per hour, with no more than one-fourth of the total hours paid by the employer to be at the $7.25 rate. (NFIB Position – Support)
- Legislative Bill 156–Angel Investment Tax Credit Act: Legislation introduced by Sen. John Stinner (Gering), LB 156 would increase from $3 million to $5 million the amount of tax credits allowed annually under the Angel Investment Tax Credit Act. (NFIB Position – Support)
- Legislative Bill 278–Sales and Use Taxation: Introduced by Sen. Burke Harr (Omaha), LB 278 would exempt motor vehicle washing and waxing services from the sales and use tax. (NFIB Position – Support)
Upcoming Hearings
February 9 – Business and Labor Committee
- LB 493–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. (NFIB Position – Oppose)
- LB 627–Nebraska Fair Employment Practice Act: Sen. Heath Mello (Omaha) is the sponsor of this legislation that would extend “reasonable accommodations” under the Nebraska Fair Employment Practice Act to pregnancy, including:
*acquisition of equipment for sitting
*more frequent or longer breaks
*periodic rest
*assistance with manual labor
*job restructuring
*light duty assignments
*modified work schedules
*temporary transfers to less strenuous or hazardous work
*time off to recover from child birth, or break time and appropriate facilities for breastfeeding.
The bill would also expand anti-discrimination provisions to individuals who are pregnant with regard to job application procedures, the hiring, advancement, or discharge of employees, employee compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.
Small Business Day at the Capitol
NFIB/Nebraska will co-sponsor Small Business Day at the Capitol, Tuesday, 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. Governor 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
