05/02/2008
Legislative session recap
Budget matters
The Nebraska Legislature enjoyed a productive 2008 session and held the line on spending. Lawmakers approved minor adjustments to the two-year budget under which growth remains at 4.6 percent, significantly below historical averages.
Despite numerous efforts to divert cash reserve funds to well-intentioned programs and projects, the Legislature maintained a cash reserve of about $500 million. The Legislature dipped into the cash reserve fund in adding $15 million to roads funding in the state and transferred $9 million from the Cash Reserve to provide for loans to natural resources districts to reimburse irrigators from whom they had previously leased water rights. An additional $5 million was diverted from the state's cash reserve fund to assist in the relocation of the state fair to Grand Island.
General business issues
NFIB/Nebraska was actively engaged on bills of interest to small business during the past session. Actions taken on bills of interest to small business owners were as follows:
Gift cards and gift certificates: Gov. Dave Heineman signed Legislative Bill 668, which was sponsored by Sen. Carol Hudkins (Malcolm). The measure removed gift certificates and gift cards with a face value of $100 or more that are not assessed any fees and do not have an expiration date from being presumed abandoned for purposes of the Unclaimed Property Act.
Union service fee: No action was taken this session on LB 57, a measure opposed by NFIB that would have required non-union employees in a unionized workplace to pay "fair share" fees to the labor organization, even if they do not support union activities. NFIB opposed this legislation on the basis that it would jeopardize Nebraska's status as a right-to-work state and would inhibit future economic development prospects.
Storm water management program fees: The Natural Resources Committee killed legislation that would have imposed hefty new fees on Nebraska business owners for city storm water management. LB 534, introduced by Sen. DiAnna Schimek (Lincoln), would have authorized the creation of user fees for property owners with impervious surfaces, such as parking lots and roofs. NFIB opposed the bill.
Workers' compensation: NFIB opposed LB 819, a measure that would have redefined "injury and personal injuries" to exclude the "violence to the physical structure of the body" requirement with respect to employees who are first responders. LB 819 would have allowed these employees to receive benefits for work-related mental conditions or illnesses that have not previously been eligible for compensation. The bill was approved by the Legislature but vetoed by Gov. Heineman.
Job training funds: NFIB supported a bill that makes revisions to existing law governing the job training cash fund in the Department of Economic Development. Under LB 956, introduced by Sen. Schimek, the DED will be required to create a sub-account within the job training fund earmarked for companies employing 25 or fewer employees, as well as for businesses in rural parts of the state. The bill passed.
