With 13 days remaining in the 2015 Legislative Session, time is growing short for lawmakers to process priority legislation. When lawmakers return from the long four-day weekend next Tuesday, they will finalize the state budget and prioritize the remaining bills with fiscal impact, with approximately $58 million available for such measures.
Workers’ Compensation Compromise Advances
The Legislature has given first-round approval to Legislative Bill 480, which contains the provisions of a workers’ compensation compromise package promoted by NFIB. In advancing the bill on a vote of 30 to 0, Business and Labor Committee amendments were adopted that provide for the following:
- Interest Rate on WC Awards – These provisions would reduce the interest rate currently applicable to awards of WC benefits on appeal from 14 percent to approximately 8 percent (T-bill rate plus 6 percent).
- Employee Misrepresentation – The defense of employee misrepresentation would be reinstated to allow employers to avoid having to pay benefits resulting from an injury or condition relating to misrepresentations given by the employee when applying for a position with the employer.
- Balance Billing of Employees – Would clarify that the prohibition against “balance billing” an employee for medical expenses in excess of the workers’ compensation fee schedule extends to finance charges and late penalties.
- Self-Insured Trust Funds – Would authorize trust funds required to be established under the Workers’ Compensation Act to be invested in the same manner authorized for corporate trustees holding retirement or pension plans for the benefit of current or former employees of political subdivisions.
NFIB continues to promote adoption of a “drug formulary” to address the significant costs associated with individuals who become addicted to or dependent upon opioids or pain killers. Efforts will continue to have an amendment to this effect added when the bill is considered on Select File.
Personal Property Tax
Nebraska businesses would receive relief from personal property taxes under Legislative Bill 259, which has advanced to Select File. Lawmakers adopted amendments and gave first round approval to the measure introduced by Sen. Mike Gloor (Grand Island) that would exempt the first $10,000 of personal property from taxation. The bill is estimated to provide an annual savings of $162 per business taxpayer and aggregate tax relief of $19.6 million. NFIB supports the property tax relief provided under LB 259.
Past Reports
