With committee hearings concluding today, the Legislature is now set to pivot into the next phase of session work. All-day floor debate begins Tuesday, March 3rd, with budget debate scheduled for March 10th through March 25th. As the Greater Omaha Chamber continues to stay engaged at the Capitol on legislation that supports competitiveness and growth, this week’s biggest development was a successful Revenue Committee hearing on LB1165, the Grow the Good Life Act (Sen. Brad von Gillern on behalf of Governor Pillen); the Chamber’s top priority this session.
LB1165 received strong proponent testimony and no opposition testimony, an encouraging sign as the bill moves toward a potential committee vote. Testifying in support were Sen. Brad von Gillern, the Governor’s Policy Research Office, statewide and local chamber partners, business and economic development leaders, and a broad coalition including Union Pacific, the League of Nebraska Municipalities, the Platte Institute, and the Nebraska Economic Developers Association. Greater Omaha Chamber President & CEO Heath Mello testified in support, emphasizing that Nebraska is in a tough national competition for jobs and talent and that attracting and keeping skilled workers is essential to the state’s economic future.
What LB1165 Does
LB 1165 strengthens Nebraska’s existing economic development tools in ways designed to reward measurable outcomes, not just promises:
-Enhances performance-based incentives under the ImagiNE Nebraska Act, including stronger wage and investment credits within existing tiers.
-Adds a 1% bonus credit for jobs filled by new-to-Nebraska residents, directly supporting talent attraction.
-Modernizes and continues a targeted employer retention tool tied to mergers and acquisitions, focusing on moments when Nebraska is most vulnerable to job loss.
-Creates a relocation and recruitment grant program administered by the Department of Labor and expands allowable uses of an existing economic development fund to support capital improvements at qualified headquarters operations.
Just as importantly, the bill is built with accountability. The retention component is designed to apply when major employers change hands and includes clear performance requirements, including maintaining at least 90% of pre-transaction employment and ensuring high-quality jobs, along with caps on exposure and reductions/recapture if commitments are not met.
LB1165 aligns with the Chamber’s Brain Drain and Perception Study, which reinforced a key takeaway: while quality of life can get talent’s attention, higher-wage career opportunities “seal the deal” in retaining and attracting workers. LB1165 is aimed at positioning Nebraska to win and keep those high-wage primary jobs—particularly at a moment when the state has a real opportunity to secure more high-paying employment than we’ve seen in decades.
Following a strong hearing record and broad proponent support, the Chamber is optimistic LB1165 is well-positioned to advance from committee. We will continue working with senators and stakeholders as the bill moves through the legislative process and as the Legislature shifts into full-day floor debate. We appreciate the leadership from Senator von Gillern and Governor Pillen in strengthening Nebraska’s high-wage job opportunities.
If you’d like to hear more about these bills, and other legislation we are monitoring, our In the Legislative Loop series of Zoom briefing is Monday, March 9th at 11:30 a.m. This members-only, biweekly Zoom call provides a 30-minute update on the latest developments from the State Capitol. It will include behind-the-scenes insights from the session as well as a look ahead at key issues coming before the Legislature. You can sign up for the biweekly series here.
With so much occurring across the various levels of government, now is the perfect time to connect directly with the decisionmakers shaping our state’s future. We invite you to attend our “Politics and Eggs” power breakfast on Monday, March 16th at 7:30 a.m. at the Omaha Marriott Regency. Enjoy breakfast while connecting with local, state, and federal elected officials who shape the policies that impact your business and community. This is your chance to hear firsthand from our elected officials about everything happening in the metro, the region, and the state – directly from them in our unique “on the stump” format. You can register for “Politics and Eggs” through this link.
While your Greater Omaha Chamber Public Policy team continues its work at the State Capitol advocating for a stronger business climate and advancing the Omaha COMPETES agenda, we encourage you to share your insights on state legislative priorities at advocacy@omahachamber.org.
Jennifer Creager
Senior Vice President, Public Policy
808 Conagra Dr., Ste. 400, Omaha, NE 68102
Lincoln Office: 402-474-4960
For more information, visit our Public Policy page or contact Jennifer Creager at 402.474.4960.
You can read the Legislature’s Update to learn more about the happenings in Lincoln.