Introduced on behalf of the Governor, LB403 relates to illegal immigrants.  The new law (1) requires verification of legal status for persons applying for public benefits (there already were laws addressing this); (2) requires government agencies and private businesses which contract with the State to verify the legal status of employees; (3) the law does not mandate the private sector to use the E-Verify system to check the legal status of employees, but provides for the NE Dept. of Labor to take two years to educate the private sector on using the system; (4) prohibits public employees who are not  citizens or qualified by federal law from participating in any retirement system.  The bill passed 44-0-5.

• Judiciary

• No amendments of concern

• No additional documents

• No action alerts are associated with this legislation.

During General File (first round) debate on LB403, Sen. Janssen of Fremont introduced an amendment to repeal the Dream Act.  This Act provides for undocumented youth who meet strict criteria to attend post-secondary institutions at in-state tuition rates.  Initially, a decision was made to have a public hearing on repeal of the Dream Act and other amendments proposed during the debate on LB403.  That hearing was cancelled.  One of the amendments, proposed by Sen. White of Omaha, would have required businesses with 25 or more employees to verify the work status of new hires.  And, if a business knowingly employed an undocumented worker, it would be liable to the state and local governing bodies for any funds spent on public benefits given to that worker or family members.  Sen. Janssen said he will introduce an interim study on the Dream Act and intends to propose a repeal in the next session.

Proponents at the public hearing included:  NE Taxpayers for Freedom, Dept. of Labor, Dept. of Health & Human Services, City of Fremont, NE Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, American Citizens Group, America Citizens Group.

Opponents include National Asso. NE Chapter & NE Appleseed, ELCA, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Los Politicos, NE Appleseed,  Londono Lutheran Immigration Services, Nuestro Mundo Newspaper, Mexican American Commission, Schuyler community