Appropriations Committee
March 10, 2025
Committee Chair: Sen. Rob Clements | Bills Heard: 2 | Full Transcript (PDF)
LB348: Shift domestic violence program funding from TANF to Health and Human Services Cash Fund
Introduced by: Sen. Jason Prokop | Testimony: 86 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska shifts $3 million in domestic violence funding to sidestep federal confidentiality conflict. LB348 moves domestic violence program funding from TANF to the Health and Human Services Cash Fund, solving a year-long impasse where federal reporting requirements clashed with state confidentiality laws. The funds have been inaccessible since 2023 despite legislative intent to boost support.
Why it matters: Nebraska's 20 domestic violence programs serve all 93 counties but operate on just $1.9 million in state funding. Demand is surging—12,414 survivors served last year (up 9%), with programs unable to meet 1,100+ shelter requests. Federal VOCA funding has been slashed 40% ($2.5 million), with another cut looming. Three women were murdered by former partners in recent weeks.
What they're saying: - "After over a year of problem-solving discussions, including federal technical assistance and guidance from the Department of Justice, we collectively identified that we didn't believe there was a path forward that complied with requirements of both programs." — Christon MacTaggart, Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence - Programs have "laid off staff or been unable to fill open positions; they've cut service area travel and mileage, and reduced shelter capacity" due to inability to access the funds. — MacTaggart - "Without stable state support, the long-term impact could be devastating, not only financially but in the very real human cost of lost lives and shattered families." — Carmen Hinman, Hope Crisis Center
By the numbers: 86 proponents submitted written comments; zero opponents; 12,414 survivors served in past year; 1,800+ requiring shelter; 1,100+ unmet shelter requests; 62% increase in protection order violations in Lincoln; $2.5 million VOCA funding loss in 2023.
What's next: No vote was taken during the hearing. The bill advances with overwhelming written support and no opposition.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Spivey, Sen. Dorn, Sen. Clements Unclear: Sen. Dover
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB359: Increase child welfare provider reimbursement rates by 5%
Introduced by: Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh | Testimony: 3 proponents, 1 opponents, 1 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska child welfare providers seek 5% rate increase to offset inflation and rising operational costs. LB359 would boost reimbursement rates for the private providers who contract with DHHS to serve vulnerable children and families. The increase replaces temporary federal ARPA funding that was always intended as a bridge to permanent state support, not a long-term solution.
Why it matters: Providers are squeezed between flat reimbursement rates and rising costs. They're only paid when delivering face-to-face services—training, travel, and no-shows come out of their pockets. DHHS has added three mandatory staff trainings and increased documentation requirements in the last decade without additional funding. Many rates haven't been reviewed in 15+ years. With 4,116 children in foster care and workforce shortages acute, inadequate rates threaten service capacity and staff retention.
What they're saying: - "Providers are continuously at a disadvantage in terms of planning workforce needs, hiring employees, training, and retaining them" without a predictable rate-setting process. — Ashley Brown, KVC Nebraska - "Inflation, competitive wages for essential workforce, and liability insurance, among other rising costs, have exceeded rate increases." — Theresa Goley, Family Focused Treatment Association - "Each time a new family support worker takes over the case, there is a learning curve for that person as they get to know the families involved. I know statistics show that children involved in cases that have multiple family support workers remain in the system longer." — Leslie Travis, foster parent
By the numbers: 4,116 children currently in foster care; providers operate in 10 communities with 300+ employees driving 3 million miles annually; rates for many services haven't been reviewed for 15+ years; providers went without increases for services other than foster care between 2010 and July 2020.
What's next: No vote was taken during the hearing. Written comments submitted: 3 proponents, 1 opponent, 1 neutral.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Spivey Unclear: Sen. Clements
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
Session Notes
The Appropriations Committee hearing began with Health and Human Services agency budget testimony (not transcribed in detail). Committee Chair Rob Clements established procedural rules including a three-minute testimony limit with green, yellow, and red light signals. Testifiers were required to state and spell their names for the record. Written testimony required 12 copies or pages would make copies. Online position comments had to be submitted by 8 a.m. the day of the hearing. The committee heard two bills: LB348 on domestic violence funding and LB359 on child welfare provider rates. No votes were taken during the hearing on either bill.
Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.