Nebraska Congressional Bills

in committee · Nebraska · House Apr 13, 2023

HRES 290: Supporting the goals and ideals of National Deaf History Month.

HRES 290 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) introduced on April 13, 2023, that formally supports National Deaf History Month in April. It recognizes the contributions of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the U.S. (citing a 2017 estimate of 11.2 million people affected) and references key milestones like the founding of the American School for the Deaf (1817) and Gallaudet University (1864). The resolution encourages the public to observe the month with activities but does not create new policies or affect any specific group directly. As a non-binding measure, it serves only to raise awareness and honor historical contributions.

in committee · Nebraska · House Apr 13, 2023

HR 2584: SAVE Act

HR 2584, the SAVE Act, creates a new federal criminal offense for assaulting or intimidating hospital employees while they're performing their duties, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, with enhanced penalties for using weapons, causing injury, or during public emergencies. The bill authorizes $25 million annually in federal grants to hospitals for violence prevention programs, including staff training, security technologies like panic buttons and video surveillance, and coordination with law enforcement. It defines "hospital" broadly to include various medical facilities such as long-term care hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and critical access hospitals. The legislation directly affects hospital workers and medical facilities by establishing federal criminal penalties for violence against employees and providing funding to improve workplace safety. The law aims to address the rising problem of workplace violence against healthcare workers, which the bill states has increased since 2011.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Larry Bucshon (R) · 126 co-sponsors

in committee · Nebraska · House Apr 13, 2023

HR 2611: Eliminating Paperwork for Startups Act

Eliminating Paperwork for Startups Act This bill requires the Internal Revenue Service to allow the election relating to property transferred in connection with services (i.e., to include in gross income the amount of such property in the year of transfer) to be made in electronic form.

in committee · Nebraska · House Apr 13, 2023

HR 2630: Safe Step Act

HR 2630, the Safe Step Act, requires group health plans and health insurance issuers to establish a clear, transparent process for patients or their doctors to request exceptions to medication step therapy protocols. These protocols typically force patients to try cheaper drugs first before covering more expensive alternatives. The bill mandates that plans must approve exceptions when prior treatments failed, delay would cause serious harm, a treatment is unsafe, or a patient is stable on a previously approved drug, with strict 72-hour (or 24-hour in emergencies) decision timelines. It also requires plans to publish the exception process online and limit documentation requests to only necessary medical information. This law directly affects health insurers, employers offering health plans, and patients using step therapy for prescription drugs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Brad R. Wenstrup (R) · 235 co-sponsors

in committee · Nebraska · House Apr 13, 2023

HR 2620: Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2023

HR 2620, the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2023, increases penalties for crimes targeting firearms licensees. It amends Section 924 of Title 18 to impose mandatory minimum sentences of 3 years for burglaries or 5 years for robberies committed at the business premises of licensed firearms dealers, manufacturers, or importers. The bill specifically targets violations of Section 922(u), which prohibits unauthorized access to these premises, and adds "attempts to do so" to the penalties. This directly affects licensed firearms businesses by strengthening legal protections against theft or violence at their locations. The law creates clearer, harsher consequences for crimes committed during burglaries or robberies at these specific business sites.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Nebraska · House Apr 13, 2023

HR 2597: Reserve Component Parental Leave Parity Act

HR 2597, the Reserve Component Parental Leave Parity Act, extends paid parental leave for part-time military reservists to match active-duty standards. It increases reserve members' paid leave from six days to twelve days for birth, adoption, or placement of a child, and allows unused leave to be taken after the initial one-year period under specific circumstances like operational demands. The bill also updates retirement credit rules to include parental leave (replacing "maternity leave") for calculating retired pay. These changes apply to parental leave beginning on or after the law's enactment date.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Nebraska · House Apr 10, 2023

HJRES 7: Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020.

This bill terminates the national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020, under the National Emergencies Act. It ends the executive branch's authority to use emergency powers related to that specific declaration. The resolution passed both chambers in early 2023 and took effect April 10, 2023, without creating new policies or affecting specific groups.

Paul A. Gosar (R) · 68 co-sponsors

in committee · Nebraska · House Apr 10, 2023

HRES 285: Establishing a "Bill of Rights" to support United States law enforcement personnel nationwide in their work to protect our communities.

This resolution recognizes law enforcement agencies and officers for their tireless work to protect us and make our communities safer. It also condemns calls to defund, disband, dismantle, or abolish the police.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Nebraska · House Apr 7, 2023

HR 2402: Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2023

HR 2402, the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2023, bans the manufacture, processing, use, and sale of commercial asbestos (including specific types like chrysotile and crocidolite) in the U.S. starting one year after enactment, with key exceptions. It allows the chlor-alkali industry to continue using asbestos for diaphragm manufacturing until two years after enactment and permits limited national security exemptions for up to three years with public disclosure. The bill also requires the EPA and HHS to create public education resources about asbestos health risks and mitigation options. This directly affects manufacturers, distributors, and users of commercial asbestos products, excluding asbestos present only as an impurity.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Suzanne Bonamici (D) · 37 co-sponsors

in committee · Nebraska · House Apr 7, 2023

HR 2400: Reentry Act of 2023

This bill allows Medicaid coverage for incarcerated individuals during the 30 days preceding their release from public institutions. It directly affects people transitioning from prisons or jails back into communities by extending health coverage during this critical period. The key mechanism amends the Social Security Act to remove a Medicaid exclusion for this 30-day window. Additionally, it requires an 18-month report analyzing correctional healthcare standards, current discharge practices, and the potential impact of this coverage extension on post-release health access.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Paul Tonko (D) · 86 co-sponsors

in committee · Nebraska · House Apr 7, 2023

HR 2411: National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2023

This bill creates a 2-year pilot program to establish or improve state-based nursing workforce centers. It provides $1.5 million annually (2024-2025) for up to six state or regional centers, requiring non-Federal matching funds (1:4 ratio). These centers will analyze nursing workforce data - including education, retention, and shortages - and develop strategies to recruit, retain, and diversify nurses, especially in rural and underserved areas. The program mandates annual reports to Congress on outcomes and best practices for addressing nursing shortages. It directly affects states, nursing schools, healthcare employers, and nursing workforce centers through federal grants and data-driven planning.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Nebraska · House Apr 7, 2023

HR 2412: Helping Kids Cope Act

Helping Kids Cope Act This bill establishes programs within the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to support pediatric behavioral health care. Specifically, HRSA must award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible health care providers for (1) integrating and coordinating pediatric behavioral health care within communities, and (2) pediatric mental health and substance use disorder workforce training. Additionally, HRSA must award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to hospitals or rural health clinics that predominately treat individuals under age 21 for expanding their capacity to provide pediatric behavioral health services. Recipients may use awards for constructing or modernizing sites of care and enhancing digital infrastructure, telehealth capabilities, or other improvements to patient care infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Nebraska Congressional Bills

Bill results