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LB 45

Provide for grants for job programs for historically underserved youth

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Terrell McKinney

Creates the Nebraska Historically Underserved Youth Employment Grant Program to fund grants for training and job opportunities for underserved youth.

Title printed. Carryover bill
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Bill Summary · LB 45

Summary of Legislative Bill LB45 (2025)

Purpose and Intent

  • LB45 proposes the creation of the Nebraska Historically Underserved Youth Employment Grant Program. The program would allocate state funds through grants to community organizations and associations to create employment opportunities for historically underserved youth.
  • The overarching goal is to provide job training, employment, and mentorship to youth who experience barriers, with a focus on promoting skills and credentials in high-demand fields.

Key Provisions and Changes

Funding and Administration

  • Creation and use of the Nebraska Training and Support Cash Fund to finance program activities, including grants under LB45 (section 2). The fund also covers administrative costs, unemployment insurance-related activities, workforce recruitment and training, and related program costs.
  • An Administrative Costs Reserve Account is created within the Nebraska Training and Support Cash Fund to cover anticipated administrative costs.
  • A transfer of $250,000 from the Nebraska Training and Support Cash Fund to the Sector Partnership Program Fund by July 15 (note: date appears to 2016 in the text, suggesting an outdated placeholder; the bill envisions ongoing fund management).

Nebraska Worker Training Board

  • Establishment and governance of the Nebraska Worker Training Board (seven members: employer, employee, public, and several state agency representatives). The chairperson must be the employer representative.
  • Each year by July 1, the board must prepare an annual program plan detailing guidelines for certifying training providers, evaluating grant requests, and requiring employer matching funds. The plan prioritizes training that expands Nebraska’s workforce and builds a skilled labor pool.
  • By December 31, the Department of Labor must report to the Governor on the program’s activities and its effectiveness.

Eligible Participants: Historically Underserved Youth

  • Definition (section 3): Historically underserved youth are 18 years old or younger who have experienced homelessness, come from low-income families or poverty-area residents, have been involved with foster care or the juvenile justice system, are at risk of dropping out, or reside in a qualified census tract (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code 42(d)(5)(B)(ii)(I) as of Jan 1, 2025).
  • Eligibility for grants requires:
    • Headquarters in a qualified census tract.
    • Demonstrated commitment to hiring historically underserved youth, with structured training or employment programs, clear timelines, dedicated resources, and personnel.

Grant Program Design and Scope

  • A five-year pilot grant program to provide grants to eligible entities, with an initial pilot phase in:
    • One city of the Metropolitan class
    • One city of the Primary class
    • Two rural areas
  • Post-pilot, the department will evaluate and prepare a comprehensive report, then consider statewide expansion based on findings, with a regional distribution mechanism to ensure equitable access.
  • If funds are insufficient, grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, prioritizing census tracts with high poverty, low employment, or greatest need.

Focus Areas and Outcomes

  • The program aims to enable youth to gain skills leading to certifications or qualifications in high-demand fields, including information technology, health care, and skilled trades.
  • The Department of Labor must report placement rates in these fields as part of the mandated reporting.

Who Is Affected

  • Eligible historically underserved youth (as defined) who participate in grant-funded programs.
  • Nonprofit organizations, community associations, and other entities applying for and receiving grants.
  • Employers and training providers coordinating programs through the Nebraska Worker Training Board.
  • State agencies (Department of Labor, Department of Economic Development, Education, etc.) involved in program governance and reporting.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: January 9, 2025
  • Hearing: February 10, 2025 (Committee: Business and Labor)
  • Annual planning: by July 1 each year
  • Annual reporting: by December 31 each year
  • Five-year pilot with evaluation leading to potential statewide expansion

Notes: The content includes some formatting oddities and references that appear dated (e.g., 2016 transfer date). The core aims, structures, and outcomes guidance reflect a state-funded youth employment grant framework coordinated through the Nebraska Worker Training Board.

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

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