Appropriations Committee
March 19, 2025
Committee Chair: Sen. Rob Clements | Bills Heard: 1 | Full Transcript (PDF)
LB15: Appropriation for Nebraska Supreme Court court interpreter wages
Introduced by: Sen. George Dungan | Testimony: 11 proponents, 3 opponents, 1 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska seeks $1.2M over two years to prevent court interpreter shortage. The Appropriations Committee heard testimony on LB15, which would appropriate $600,000 annually to the Nebraska Supreme Court to maintain current court interpreter wages—a move designed to prevent another work stoppage like the one that disrupted courts in 2023.
Why it matters: Court interpreters are independent contractors, not employees, and can walk away if pay becomes uncompetitive. Without adequate funding, the state risks operational paralysis in trial courts, potential loss of federal funding for violating Title VI civil rights requirements, and appellate challenges to convictions. The 2023 work stoppage resulted in cases being continued and detainees remaining in custody longer, costing taxpayers roughly $130 per day per case.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "This is not a pay increase—it's maintaining the rate we negotiated to stop the 2023 walkout," said State Court Administrator Corey Steel. Interpreter expenditures have doubled from $1.2 million (FY 2020) to $2.5 million projected for the current year. Sen. Dungan emphasized that professional interpreters handle simultaneous translation of complex legal terminology and tribal dialects; AI and online translation are inadequate substitutes. The Nebraska State Bar Association noted interpreters serve all court users—victims, families, juveniles—not just defendants. - Opponents: Three online comments opposed the bill; specific arguments were not detailed in testimony.
By the numbers: Courts use 70+ languages and tribal dialects. Interpreters are certified ($50-$75/hour), registered ($35-$60/hour), or noncertified ($50/hour), with a two-hour minimum. The committee received 11 proponent comments, 3 opponent comments, and 1 neutral comment.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Dungan waived closing remarks due to other legislative obligations.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Ashlei Spivey Unclear: Sen. Loren Lippincott, Sen. Myron Dorn, Sen. Jason Prokop
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
Session Notes
The committee began with self-introductions from all members. Committee Chair Clements outlined procedural rules for testifiers, including the five-minute limit and green/yellow/red light system. The hearing opened with Agency 5 (Supreme Court) budget testimony before moving to LB15. Weather conditions prevented some interpreters from attending in person to testify. Sen. Dungan noted he would need to waive closing on LB15 to introduce another bill in his Revenue Committee for Sen. Conrad. The session concluded after LB15 with no additional bills heard.
Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.