Bill would broaden veteran employment preference

The Business and Labor Committee heard testimony Jan. 27 on a bill that seeks to broaden the hiring preference given to veterans.

Currently, a veteran seeking initial employment with the state of Nebraska, political subdivisions and certain private businesses is granted a hiring preference based on their prior active duty service if two or more equally qualified candidates are being considered for a position. This preference also is extended to the spouses of 100% disabled veterans.

LB144, introduced by Bellevue Sen. Victor Rountree, would expand the hiring preference to include spouses of active duty service members, including National Guard and reserves, and spouses of veterans who were killed in the line of duty or died as a result of their service.

The bill also would extend preference beyond a veteran’s initial employment to include promotions, reassignments and transfers to a new position.

Rountree said that in order to be prepared on a national level, service members need to be well established at the local level.

“Ensuring that military families are financially secure helps our service members carry out their duties confidently without any additional stressors back home,” he said.

Michelle Richart testified in support of LB144 on behalf of the Department of Defense-State Liaison Office. A study conducted by the department found that nearly half of all active duty spouses reported finding employment as one of the most difficult aspects of a relocation, she said.

“Due to the high demands of military service, a majority of families relocate to new duty stations every few years,” Richart said. “These rates of relocation often hinder employment and career potential [for] military spouses.”

Randy Norwood, speaking on behalf of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, also testified in support of the measure. He said spouses of service members often face discrimination in the workforce due to their military affiliation.

“LB144 is clear, deliberate action that sends a powerful message: Nebraska values its military community and is committed to being a military friendly state,” Norwood said.

No one testified in opposition to the measure and the committee took no immediate action on it.