More Pending Priority Bills
Last week, I started a series where I would highlight several of the priority bills and resolutions that are pending and could be scheduled early in the next session. This week’s newsletter will provide an overview of several more of these bills and resolutions.
LB455 by Senator Hallstrom would modify existing laws relating to worker’s compensation. Under current law, if an employee is injured on the job, employers are required to file a report of first injury with the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court within 10 days. This report details the injury, when and where it occurred, treatment used to deal with it, any time away from work, and a great deal of other information regarding the injured employee.
This bill would make first injury reports relating to workplace injuries confidential, unless the employee waives confidentiality to allow the report to be made available for public inspection. The intent of this change is to provide greater privacy for the employee and delay the wave of legal solicitations which injured employees can receive from attorneys once a report of first injury is filed with the Workers' Compensation Court. LB455 is currently pending on General File.
LB532 by Senator Kauth aims to strengthen state laws relating to the state’s E-Verify system. Under current law, E-Verify is required for public employers (e.g., state agencies), public contractors, and participants in certain state tax incentive programs to determine employee work eligibility.
LB532 would extend this requirement to private sector employers with more than 25 employees. The bill would also prohibit employers from knowingly employing an unauthorized alien. An employer found to have employed an unauthorized alien can have their licenses suspended and be subjected to civil fines. LB532 is currently pending on General File.
LB538 by Senator Hardin, as amended by the Education Committee,
would affirm that no person in Nebraska shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any education program that receives direct appropriations of public funds. The State Department of Education as well as the Coordinating Commission on Postsecondary Education would also be required to designate an employee to serve as a Title VI coordinator. A Title VI coordinator would be tasked with monitoring and receiving complaints of discrimination or harassment, including antisemitic discrimination. LB538 is currently pending on General File.
LB693 by Senator McKeon seeks to restrict a practice where individuals or companies can charge veterans seeking help in filing for the veterans benefits that they have earned. Today, veteran benefits claims can already be filed with the VA for free through VA-accredited groups like the American Legion.
However, several companies have been founded as alternatives to help veterans file benefit claims with the VA, but they often take some of the veteran's benefit money as compensation. This bill would prohibit unaccredited people or organizations from receiving compensation for assisting someone in filing veteran benefits claims unless otherwise authorized by state or federal law.
LB693 is currently pending on General File.
I invite you to let me know your thoughts, suggestions, or concerns. My Capitol office telephone number is (402) 471-2801 while my email is [email protected]. My mailing address is: Senator Barry DeKay, District #40, P.O.
Box 94604, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509.
