ONE HUNDRED NINTH LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION - 2025
COMMITTEE STATEMENT
LB608
Hearing Date: Wednesday February 05, 2025
Committee On: Revenue
Introducer: Bostar
One Liner: Change insurance provisions relating to firefighters and include correctional officers, youth
detention officers, and certain children in the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act
Roll Call Vote - Final Committee Action:
Advanced to General File with amendment(s)
Vote Results:
Aye: 8 Senators von Gillern, Bostar, Dungan, Ibach, Jacobson, Kauth,
Murman, Sorrentino
Nay:
Absent:
Present Not Voting:
Testimony:
Proponents: Representing:
Senator Eliot Bostar Opening Presenter
Brad Johnson Lancaster County
Brad Alexander Lancaster County Youth Center, Lancaster County
Neil Miller Buffalo County, Nebraska Sheriffs Association
Anthony Conner Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police
Patrick Sullivan Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 8, Douglas County
Corrections
Gary Bruns Nebraska Professional Fire Fighters Association
Marcus A. Ring Offutt Air Force Base Fire Department
Jay Wilson Fraternal Order of Police Union Lodge 88 Protective
Services
Daniel Goodman Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 32
Patrick Dempsey Omaha Police Officers Association
Jon Cannon Nebraska Association of County Officials
Larry Meyer Nebraska State Fraternal Order of Police, Lincoln
County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 26, Lincoln
County Sheriff Jerome Kramer
Christy Abraham League of Nebraska Municipalities
Opponents: Representing:
Neutral: Representing:
Paul Turman Nebraska State College System
Committee Statement: LB608
Revenue Committee
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Summary of purpose and/or changes:
LB608 changes the definition of a professional firefighter for purposes of certain insurance protections to include
firefighters providing protection to federal military installations. The bill also expands the First Responder Recruitment
and Retention Act to include correctional officers and youth detention officers, as well as children of first responders,
for 100% tuition waivers to state postsecondary institutions. The Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary
Education will reimburse 50% of such tuition waivers.
Explanation of amendments:
AM904 to LB608 is a white copy amendment that strikes and replaces the original sections of the bill. The
amendment adds defined and redefined terms to the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act, including
changing the definition of professional firefighter to include firefighters providing protection to federal military
installations. The amendment provides 100% tuition waivers for a first responder, a first responder’s qualifying child,
an eligible disabled person, or an eligible disabled person’s qualifying child, as prescribed to state postsecondary
institutions; provides procedures for application for and approval of such tuition waivers; and provides for
reimbursement of state universities for 50% of tuition waivers provided to correctional officers or youth detention
officers, eligible disabled persons who were such officers, and the qualifying children of such officers or disabled
persons. The amendment also outright repeals sections 85-2603 and 85-2603.01 to harmonize with the new sections
added to the Act.
Section-by-section Summary
Section 1: Amends section 44-314 to add firefighters providing fire protection to federal military installations to the
definition of professional firefighter.
Section 2: Provides that sections 2 through 18 of this act shall be known as the First Responder Recruitment and
Retention Act.
Section 3: Amends section 85-2602 to add definitions for correctional officer, eligible disabled person, first responder,
qualifying child, qualifying degree, superior officer, youth detention officer, and redefines professional firefighter to
include a firefighter providing fire protection services to federal military installations.
Section 4: Outlines criteria for a first responder to be eligible for a tuition waiver from any state postsecondary
institution. Limits such tuition waivers for correctional officers and youth detention officers to attendance at state
universities.
Section 5: Outlines performance criteria for a first responder to qualify themself or their qualifying child to be eligible
for tuition waivers.
Section 6: Outlines criteria for an eligible disabled person to be eligible for a tuition waiver from any state
postsecondary institution. Limits such tuition waivers for an eligible disabled person who was a correctional officer or
youth detention officer to attendance at state universities.
Section 7: Outlines performance criteria for an eligible disabled person or their qualifying child to be eligible for tuition
waivers. The person must have been a first responder as prescribed at the time he or she became disabled.
Section 8: Places a five-year limit on such tuition waivers, so long as the first responder or eligible disabled person
Committee Statement: LB608
Revenue Committee
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Section 9: Outlines the application elements and requirements for the qualified children of first responders or eligible
disabled persons to apply for tuition waivers. Limits such tuition waivers for qualified children of correctional officers
and youth detention officers to attendance at state universities.
Section 10: Amends section 85-2605 to replace “legal dependent” with “qualifying child” to harmonize with changes
made to section 85-2601.
Section 11: Places a five-year limit on tuition waivers for qualified children, so long as they maintain eligibility. The five
years begins when the child first receives the tuition waiver and continues for the next five consecutive years.
Section 12: Requires state postsecondary institutions to make a determination and provide written notice of eligibility
or ineligibility within forty-five days after receipt of a completed application. If ineligible, such notice shall include
reasoning used in the determination.
Section 13: Requires that a state postsecondary institution that has granted a tuition waiver must waive one hundred
percent of resident tuition charges after subtracting any federal financial aid, scholarships, and grants for the tuition
waiver so long as the recipient remains eligible.
Section 14: Beginning July 1, 2026, requires the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education to reimburse
each state university fifty percent of the tuition waivers awarded. Outlines the process for state universities to request
such reimbursements. Outlines the pro rata process in the event appropriations are insufficient to fully fund the tuition
waivers.
Section 15: Amends section 85-2604 to harmonize with other changes made in the amendment.
Section 16: Amends section 85-2606 to harmonize with other changes made in the amendment.
Section 17: Amends section 85-2607 to replace “legal dependents” with "qualifying children” to harmonize with
changes made to section 85-5601.
Section 18: Amends section 85-2608 to replace “legal dependents” with "qualifying children” to harmonize with
changes made to section 85-5601.
Section 19: Repealer
Section 20: Outright repeal of sections 85-2603 and 85-2603.01.
R. Brad von Gillern, Chairperson
Committee Statement: LB608
Revenue Committee
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