04/25/2008
Governor vetoes workers' compensation benefits increase bill
Gov. Dave Heineman on Monday exercised his pocket veto authority on Legislative Bill 819. Since the Legislature adjourned on April 17, there will be no opportunity to override the veto. As adopted, the bill would, for the first time, have allowed recovery of workers' compensation benefits for mental injuries and mental illness unaccompanied by physical injury for employees who are first responders.
LB 819 would have represented the first step in expanding workers' compensation benefits for mental-health claims. NFIB, along with other business organizations, state government and local political subdivisions, opposed LB 819 and urged the governor to veto the measure. It is fully anticipated that legislation similar to LB 819, or perhaps a measure broader in scope to cover private employers, will be introduced in the 2009 legislative session.
