02/29/2008
Session reaches midpoint
The balance of this year's legislative agenda has been set. Lawmakers have designated almost 100 pieces of legislation as "priority bills." With major issues involving the budget, tax relief and school funding still pending, it's unlikely that bills that didn't receive priority status will receive further consideration. All committees, with the exception of the Judiciary and Appropriations Committee, have completed their public hearings, and floor debate is scheduled to begin the week of March 3.
Corporate income tax bill prioritized
Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh (Omaha), has designated Legislative Bill 888 as his individual priority bill. LB 888 would increase the lowest corporate income tax bracket threshold from $50,000 to $200,000. Amendments proposed by the Revenue Committee would increase the corporate income tax bracket threshold from $50,000 to $100,000. NFIB supports this measure.
Priority bills of interest
Workers' compensation: LB 1082 has been designated a priority bill by the Business and Labor Committee. The legislation would redefine "injury and personal injuries" to exclude the "violence to the physical structure of the body" requirement with respect to first responders and others who, in the scope of their jobs, are victims of or witnesses to a violent criminal act. LB 1082 would enable these employees to receive benefits for work-related mental conditions or illness.
Nebraska's workers' compensation laws have been consistently interpreted to prohibit recovery for injuries that do not result in "violence to the physical structure of the body." LB 1082 would be subject to significant interpretation and lead to increased litigation in the future. NFIB opposes the bill.
Job training cash fund: The speaker of the Legislature has designated LB 956 as a priority bill. Supported by the NFIB, LB 956 would provide job training grants for small and rural employer.
Storm water management fee bill killed
The Natural Resources Committee has killed legislation that would have created hefty new fees for many Nebraska business owners and organizations. LB 534, introduced by Sen. DiAnna Schimek (Lincoln), would have authorized the creation of user fees for property owners with impervious surfaces -- hard surfaces such as parking lots and large roofs. Fees would have been imposed based on the quantity of runoff water, regardless of whether it was clean or contaminated. NFIB opposed the measure.
