Bill
LB 15
LB15 would provide $1.2 million over 2025-27 to the Nebraska Supreme Court to fund interpreter services for Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and limited-English-proficiency individuals.
LB15 – State intent regarding appropriations for interpreter services for the Supreme Court
Overview
- Bill number and title: LB15, introduced as “an act relating to appropriations; to state intent regarding appropriations; and to declare an emergency.”
- Introduced: January 9, 2025
- Primary sponsor: Senator George Dungan
- Co-sponsors: Senators Bosn, Hunt, Conrad
- Committee: Appropriations
- Hearing: Notice of hearing for March 19, 2025
What LB15 would do
- Purpose: LB15 states the Legislature’s intent to appropriate additional funds to the Nebraska Supreme Court for interpreter services.
- Fiscal target: It specifies $600,000 from the General Fund for Fiscal Year 2025-26 and an additional $600,000 from the General Fund for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
- Allocation details: The funds would be appropriated to the Supreme Court, Agency 5, Court Administration, Program No. 34, and must be used to increase payments for interpreter services for:
- Deaf and hard of hearing persons
- Persons unable to communicate the English language
- Use restriction: The appropriated funds are to be used solely for interpreter services as described.
Key provisions and mechanism
- Section 1: Declares the Legislature’s intent to provide the specified additional funding for interpreter services in the two fiscal years noted and designates the funds to the specific program and purpose.
- Section 2: Declares an emergency, making the act effective upon passage and approval as provided by law.
Who is affected
- Primary beneficiary: Courts and court-access participants in Nebraska, particularly:
- Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals
- Non-English-speaking individuals or those with limited English proficiency
- Administrative impact: The Supreme Court, via Court Administration (Program No. 34), would administer the additional payments for interpreter services.
Procedural and timeline notes
- Status: Notice of hearing for March 19, 2025 (scheduled consideration by the Appropriations Committee).
- Earlier actions: Referred to Appropriations (Jan 13, 2025); multiple sponsor-name additions in January 2025; notice of hearing issued Feb 5, 2025.
- Emergency clause: The bill includes an emergency provision, so if enacted, it would take effect immediately upon passage and approval.
Impact considerations
- Fiscal impact: A total potential increase of $1.2 million in General Fund revenues over FY2025-26 and FY2026-27, allocated specifically to interpreter services within Supreme Court operations.
- Policy impact: Enhances access to justice by ensuring sustained funding for interpreter services in Supreme Court proceedings and related functions.
Summary
LB15 aims to codify legislative intent to provide targeted, two-year funding increases for interpreter services within the Nebraska Supreme Court’s Court Administration, ensuring enhanced access for Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and limited-English-proficiency individuals, with an emergency clause to accelerate availability upon enactment.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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