Gov. Jim Pillen ceremonially signs bills benefiting Nebraska National Guard

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen ceremonially signed several bills aimed at helping Nebraska National Guard members Tuesday.

Pillen was joined in the signing by the legislation's introducers, senators Tom Brewer, Loren Lippincott and Rita Sanders.

Brewer's LB848 changes the maximum age for the Adjutant General, allowing current Adjutant General Craig Strong and his successors to serve until they are 66 years old. LB1394 exempts Nebraska National Guard income from state income taxes.

Lippincott spoke about LB52, which eliminates a limitation on the amount of tuition credits available to Nebraska National Guard members.

Sanders, whose district includes Offutt Air Force Base, highlighted her work on LB895, which changes incentive payment provisions relating to recruitment and retention for the Nebraska National Guard.

Pillen approved each of the bills during the spring legislative session, making Tuesday's signing at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Lincoln purely ceremonial.

Lippincott, who formerly served in the U.S. Air Force, said he will continue to work on legislation supporting the military in 2025.

“We in the legislature, my friends here and the new crop of state senators, we want to ensure that we take care of our family, and that's our pledge and our desire, because we love our military.” Lippincott said.

Craig Strong, the adjutant general for the Nebraska National Guard, said November was the group’s best recruiting month in a long time, but the Army National Guard is still at only around 90% of its recruitment goal.