The Nebraska Legislature's Business and Labor Committee convened on September 5, 2025, to discuss significant legislative matters, particularly focusing on the Firefighter Cancer Benefits Act. Lynn Rex and Christy Abraham, representing the League of Nebraska Municipalities, presented a statement regarding their absence from the meeting and introduced Legislative Resolution 229 (LR 229). This resolution aims to examine potential changes to the Firefighter Cancer Benefits Act that would avoid imposing unfunded mandates while better serving both paid and volunteer firefighters in Nebraska.

The League's proposal emphasizes the need to study similar legislation in other states, assessing how those benefits are structured and funded, particularly for volunteer firefighters. Rex and Abraham highlighted the importance of collaborating with various stakeholders, including firefighters, rural fire district representatives, and municipal officials, to ensure that any changes made are financially feasible for municipalities and beneficial for firefighters.

During the meeting, concerns were raised regarding LB 400, a bill introduced by Senator Werderkemper that sought to provide compensation for cancers experienced by firefighters under the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act. The League opposed this bill, citing budgeting challenges for municipalities related to rebuttable presumptions.

Despite their absence from the hearing, the League expressed a commitment to working with the Business and Labor Committee and other stakeholders to advance LR 229 and provide updates on their efforts. The discussions from this meeting underscore the ongoing efforts to enhance firefighter benefits while balancing the financial implications for local governments.