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LB 262

Appropriate funds for salaries of members of the Legislature

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Arch

LB 262 creates a separate appropriation to fund Nebraska senators’ salaries for 2025–27 (49 at $12,000/year) plus employer payroll costs, via the Legislative Council.

Approved by Governor on May 21, 2025
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Bill Summary · LB 262

Summary — LB 262 (2025)

Title: Appropriate funds for salaries of members of the Legislature
Introduced: January 15, 2025 (Speaker Arch, at the request of the Governor)
Status: Approved by Governor — signed May 21, 2025 (contains emergency clause)

Purpose

LB 262 provides the constitutionally required separate appropriation to fund the salaries of members of the Nebraska Legislature for the 2025–2027 biennium. The bill implements the Governor’s biennial budget recommendation for legislative pay and associated employer payroll contributions.

Key provisions

  • Appropriates from the General Fund:
    • $632,982 for FY2025‑26 to the Legislative Council, Program 1.
    • $632,982 for FY2026‑27 to the Legislative Council, Program 1.
  • Funds are designated for payment of senators’ salaries and payments required by Chapter 68, article 6 (including employer payroll contributions such as Social Security).
  • Caps total expenditures for permanent and temporary salaries and per diems at $588,000 for each fiscal year (FY2025‑26 and FY2026‑27).
  • Contains an emergency clause; the bill takes effect when passed and approved according to law (signed by Governor May 21, 2025).

Fiscal effect

  • Annual base salary funded: $12,000 per senator.
  • Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has 49 senators: 49 × $12,000 = $588,000 — this matches the statutory cap on salaries/per diems.
  • The appropriation of $632,982 per year therefore provides an estimated additional $44,982 per year to cover employer payroll contributions (e.g., Social Security) and related payments authorized under Chapter 68, article 6.

Who is affected

  • Directly affects all Nebraska state senators by funding their statutory annual salary and associated employer payroll obligations.
  • Affects the Legislative Council administratively as the recipient of the appropriation (Program 1) for disbursement.

Timeline and procedural highlights

  • Referred to Appropriations Committee (Jan 17, 2025); committee hearing Feb 18, 2025.
  • Advanced through committee and floor action; passed final reading on May 15, 2025 (vote 40–9–0 with emergency clause).
  • Presented to Governor May 15, 2025; approved May 21, 2025. Emergency clause makes the act effective upon approval.

Notes

  • LB 262 is part of the Governor’s 2025–2027 biennial budget package and fulfills the Nebraska Constitution’s requirement that legislative salaries be set by a separate appropriation. For underlying budget context, see the 2025–2027 Biennium Executive Budget Recommendations (Nebraska DAS State Budget Division).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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