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Dist. 40 R eport
Dist. 40 Report
March 28 marked the 52nd day of this 90-day legislative session and the final day of daily committee hearings. Full day debate will begin March 31. Senators are now focused on the budget as well as bills that have been designated as a priority either by a senator, a committee, or the Speaker of the Legislature.
One of the final bills heard by the Judiciary Committee this year was my bill LB395.
LB395 was brought on behalf of the Nebraska Supreme Court’s Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation. In 2018, the Legislature passed LB990 which restricts anyone convicted in juvenile court of misdemeanor domestic violence or a felony offense from possessing a firearm until he or she is 25 years old. Subsequently, several judges across the state found there was a conflict with the sealed records statutes which prevent law enforcement from determining if a juvenile is prohibited from possessing or purchasing a firearm.
In Nebraska, juvenile records are normally sealed automatically when the case is closed. Testimony submitted by the Neb. State Patrol highlighted that under the existing law, a prohibited juvenile convicted of violent felonies, including murder, could be appropriately denied the ability to buy a handgun but then erroneously be allowed to buy a rifle or shotgun on turning the age of 19.
Meanwhile, the Legislature debated paid sick leave over the course of multiple days.
Last November, the voters passed the Neb. Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, also known as the Paid Sick Leave Initiative, which mandates paid sick time in Nebraska for eligible employees to earn and use for personal or family needs. Specifically, this law requires that beginning on Oct. 1, 2025, all Nebraska employees are to be given a minimum of one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to a threshold based on employer size.
In response to the passage of the Paid Sick Leave Initiative, a couple of bills were introduced this year to address concerns with the new law. LB415 brought by Senator Ballard makes a number of technical updates to bring the law into alignment with other Nebraska employment statutes. Senator Strommen introduced LB698 to create several exemptions from the Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for temporary or seasonal agricultural workers, employees younger than sixteen, and employers with less than eleven employees.
During the committee process, Senator Strommen’s LB698 was amended into LB415 and became the focus of floor debate.
Supporters of LB698 argued that it is administratively and financially a huge burden for small businesses to comply with the new paid sick leave law. Opponents filibustered the bill arguing there should be no exemptions and all employees should be given paid sick leave. Following contentious debate, LB415 as amended was advanced to the second stage of consideration on a 34 to 14 vote.
Finally, applications are now being accepted for a program known as the Unicameral Youth Legislature.
The Unicameral Youth Legislature is a legislative simulation in which high school students take on the role of lawmakers. Student senators sponsor bills, conduct committee hearings, and debate legislation as they lean about the unicameral.
The program runs from June 8 to June 13, at the State Capitol Building. The deadline to apply is May 19. Students interested in more information can contact the Unicameral Information Office at (402) 471-2788 or at [email protected]. The registration fee is $675, which covers admission, lodging, and meals; this may be covered by a scholarship.
I would appreciate your input. Call my office at (402) 471-2801 or send email to [email protected]. My mailing address is: Senator Barry DeKay, District #40, P.O. Box 94604, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509.
