Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee

January 24, 2025

Committee Chair: Sen. Beau Ballard | Bills Heard: 1 | Full Transcript (PDF)

LB108: Adjust firefighter and city contribution rates for absolute coverage groups in certain cities

Introduced by: Sen. Mike Jacobson | Testimony: 4 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)

Committee hears bill to fix unintended firefighter contribution increase in Bellevue. LB108 corrects an oversight in last year's LB686 that inadvertently subjected Bellevue firefighters to higher retirement contributions while excluding them from an offsetting benefit. The bill restores prior contribution rates—6.5% for firefighters and 13% for the city—while maintaining required 6.2% Social Security payments.

Why it matters: Bellevue firefighters have been paying an extra 2% into their retirement accounts since October 2024 that was never intended. The bill includes an emergency clause for immediate implementation, preventing further unintended contributions.

What they're saying: - "This was an oversight in the drafting of the bill last year," Sen. Jacobson said, noting all parties involved in LB686 negotiations support the fix. - John Corrigan, representing the firefighters union, said the extra 2% contributions "will stay there and grow" in retirement accounts but should stop immediately. - Aimee Bataillon, Bellevue's city attorney, confirmed the city and firefighters "did not want to change those contributions" and that equalization with other first-class cities will occur October 2026.

By the numbers: Currently, only Bellevue qualifies under the bill's provisions (cities with 60,000+ population in counties with 100,000+ population). The 2% increase affects firefighter take-home pay retroactively to October 1, 2024.

What's next: No vote was taken during the hearing. Sen. Jacobson urged the committee to advance the bill and "hopefully exec on it today, and kick it to the floor."

Committee sentiment:   Supportive: Sen. Clements, Sen. Sorrentino   Unclear: Sen. Conrad

Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.

Session Notes

Committee Chair Ballard noted that members have other hearings beginning at 1:30 p.m. and implemented a three-minute testimony limit using a light system (green, yellow, red). The committee received one letter in support of LB108 for the record. No opponents or neutral testifiers appeared. The hearing concluded without a vote being taken.

Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.