Policy Agenda
Economic Stability
Every child deserves to grow up in a financially secure household where their basic needs are met. Voices for Children champions policies that help families build a better future while balancing work and family life.
2026 Policy Agenda
Below is a list of Voices for Children’s priority economic stability legislation for the 109th Legislature, second session. We will provide live updates on these bills throughout the session and you can find links to each bill’s landing page below. You can also watch the Nebraska Legislature Live, where you will have direct access to active committee and legislative hearings, as well as scheduled live streams.
Want to make a difference for Nebraska kids? Get involved by reaching out to us or contacting your state senator.
Other Policy Focus Areas:
2026 Priority Legislation: Economic Stability
*Denotes carryover bill from last session.
Change provisions relating to the minimum wage under the Wage and Hour Act
Introducer: Senator Raybould
Status: Recommit to the Business and Labor Committee
Voices for Children Position: Oppose
Change waiver of work requirements under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Introducer: Senator Hunt
Status: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Provide requirements for health care facilities and collection agencies relating to medical debt
Introducer: Senator Conrad
Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Create a child care licensing pilot program under the Child Care Licensing Act
Introducer: Senator Ibach
Status: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee
Voices for Children Position: Neutral
Require the Department of Health and Human Services to file a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program waiver for refugees and immigrants
Introducer: Senator Rountree
Status: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Change provisions of the Child Care Licensing Act relating to background checks, a complaint tracking system, and staff-to-child ratios
Introducer: Senator Hansen
Status: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Change provisions relating to cash assistance under the Welfare Reform Act and transitional assistance under the aid to dependent children program
Introducer: Senator Andersen
Status: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee
Voices for Children Position: Oppose
Require the Department of Health and Human Services to create a youth afterschool credential and an adult eligibility passport under the Child Care Licensing Act
Introducer: Senator Riepe
Status: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Require the Department of Health and Human Services to make crisis assistance payments under the low-income home energy assistance program
Introducer: Senator Spivey
Status: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Create the Child Care Cash Fund
Introducer: DeBoer
Status: Introduced 01/21/2026
Voices for Children Position: Support
Create a pilot program to raise awareness of the earned income tax credit
Introducer: Conrad
Status: Introduced 01/21/2026
Voices for Children Position: Support
Legislative Resources
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