Veteran hiring incentive increase proposed

Businesses would receive additional incentives to hire and train veterans under legislation heard by the Business and Labor Committee Feb. 10.

LB1083, introduced by Bellevue Sen. Tommy Garrett, would increase the maximum amount of job training grants for employers who hire recently separated veterans. The state Department of Economic Development grants would be given only to businesses that hire veterans who have been honorably discharged within two years prior to the grant application.

Employers would receive an additional $2,500 or $5,000 to train each recently separated veteran.

Citing a Nebraska Chamber of Commerce study, Garrett said the bill addresses a lack of skilled labor in Nebraska and the high unemployment rate for veterans.

“Recruiting military veterans is seen as part of a comprehensive solution to resolve the impediment to business growth in Nebraska,” he said.

Richard Baier of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce testified in support of the bill, calling it a marketing effort to make veterans more attractive to employers. Additional funds should be offered to employers, he said, to compensate for skill-set transferability issues that are unique to veterans.

Lt. Col. James Stevenson of the National Guard Association of Nebraska said the bill is needed to help veterans adapt to civilian life.

“Anything that we can do to support those members as they transition to full-time, part-time or complete civilian employment is something that would be beneficial to the state,” Stevenson said.

No one testified in opposition to the bill and the committee took no immediate action on LB1083.