Veteran employment preference bill narrowed, advanced

A bill that seeks to expand the hiring preference given to veterans in Nebraska was narrowed slightly and advanced from the first round of debate March 3.

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.

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

A Business and Labor Committee amendment, adopted 40-1, would remove the use of veterans preference for promotion. The amendment also would specify that if two or more veteran-preference eligible candidates are being considered for a position, the veterans preference would be applied equally to them all.

Rountree said the amendment would bring Nebraska closer in line with federal veterans preference regulations, while also ensuring that a currently employed veteran is not disadvantaged if they apply for another position with the state and are in competition with a preference-eligible candidate.

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

Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad supported the bill, which she said is similar to other steps lawmakers have taken in recent years to remove employment barriers and encourage workforce development in Nebraska. Providing greater access to quality jobs for military spouses will help the state retain top talent when soldiers separate from service, she said.

“It can really help to ground and to root that family to stay in Nebraska for the long haul,” Conrad said.

Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston raised concerns about extending veterans preference to spouses, which he called a “whole different category.”

Senators voted 39-0 to advance LB144 to select file.