Police retirement rate increase advanced

Lawmakers gave first-round approval Feb. 27 to a bill that would raise retirement contribution rates for certain Nebraska police officers.

Under LB179, introduced by Sen. Stan Clouse of Kearney, the retirement contribution rate for police officers in first class cities would increase from the current 7% of their monthly salary to 9%, beginning Oct. 1, 2025. First class cities are those with a population between 501 and 100,000.

The bill also would result in a corresponding increase from 7% to 9% in the contribution rate that first class cities pay into the plan.

Clouse said the measure was the result of negotiations between law enforcement and the cities that employ them and was introduced at the request of the Police Chiefs Association of Nebraska and the League of Nebraska Municipalities.

Lawmakers voted 37-0 to advance LB179 to select file.