Employee Notification Bill
First up on the legislative agenda is LB107, also known as the "employee notification bill." Depending on how quickly senators dispense of bills on the agenda, LB107 could receive first-round debate this week. As introduced, LB107 would apply to all employers, both private and public. An amendment to the bill, proposed by the Business and Labor Committee, would limit the application of the bill to public employees only. If the committee amendments are adopted, LB107 would require public employers to provide employees an explanation as to why they are being terminated. State and local government workers could request, in writing, an explanation as to why they were firedif their request was submitted within seven days of the termination. Upon receipt, the employer would have seven days to respond with the specific reason(s) in writing. Employers would be required to give the employee a "meaningful opportunity" to present his position "in response to the reason for the proposed termination." Employers who failed to do so could be fined.
ACTION ALERT: Oppose LB107 for its erosion of Nebraska's longstanding doctrine of employment-at-will. Also, if passed, such a law could easily be expanded to the private sector. Members are urged to contact their state senators and ask them to oppose LB107. For a list of Nebraska's state senators and their contact information, click here or go to http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_list.php.
Nebraska bill would let stores scan driver's licenses
(Lincoln Journal Star) -- JournalStar.com reports that Nebraska senators on Monday voted 33-8 to advance "a bill allowing businesses to scan and store information from a driver's license when customers want to pay with a check." But the bill has raised privacy problems, the article notes. The bill (LB261) would allow businesses to keep on file a customer's "name, address, license number, age, hair and eye color, weight, height, and medical issues related to driving." The Journal Star notes, "The bill would prohibit retailers from selling or passing on the information or using it for marketing." Read the story HERE.
Nebraska lawmaker tries to challenge federal health care
(Associated Press/JournalStar.com) -- The AP reports that under a proposed amendment (LR289CA) to the Nebraska Constitution, introduced by state Sen. Beau McCoy of Omaha, the state would be prohibited "from forcing people to buy insurance or fining people for not obtaining insurance." Sen. McCoy "says it could help set up a federal court challenge of such a law." See the article HERE.
Our thanks to Nebraska Chamber of Commerce for giving us permission to use their news information.
Paula Siewert