Legislators debate penalties for assaulting hospital workers, tax credits for defense contractors

By Fred Knapp , Senior Reporter/Producer Nebraska Public Media

April 16, 2025, 5 p.m. ·

Nebraska Capitol (Photo by Fred Knapp, Nebraska Public Media News)

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People who assault hospital workers or pharmacists would get harsher sentences under a bill advancing in the Legislature.

And defense contractors who move to Nebraska would get a break on their income taxes under another proposal that’s moving ahead.

The bill dealing with assaults on health care workers would bump up existing penalties one level. For example, the lowest level of assault would go from a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine to a felony, punishable by up to three years in prison, 18 months probation and a $10,000 fine.

Sen. Terrell McKinney was among opponents of the bill who argued it could have a disproportionate impact on developmentally disabled people or people having mental health crises. And he added another thought.

“We have to consider the other unintended consequences of passing laws like this, like adding to the overcrowding of our jails and our prisons,” he said.

Sen. Carolyn Bosn, chair of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, urged her colleagues to focus on the victims, not the perpetrators.

“Stop being distracted by the focus on offenders and overcrowded prisons, because if our prisons are overcrowded with individuals who are assaulting health care workers, so be it,” she said

Last year, Nebraska prisons held a daily average of nearly 6,000 prisoners in spaces designed for just over 4,000. The state is currently planning on building a new 1,500 bed prison in Lincoln for an estimated $350 million.

After eight hours of debate stretching over two days, senators voted Senators voted 36-8 to cut off debate and advanced the bill, 37-8.

Wednesday afternoon, senators also debated a bill that would give defense contractors a tax credit if they relocate to Nebraska. Sen. Brad von Gillern, chair of the Revenue Committee, described the purpose of what’s dubbed the Defense Efforts Workforce Act.

“The Defense Efforts Workforce Act is a rifle shot," he said. "It's a targeted incentive to a targeted industry that is actively looking to leave Northern Virginia, D.C. and Maryland for places with a better quality of life and a lower cost of living."

Supporters of the proposal say they want to attract defense contractors to the Omaha and Sarpy County area around Offutt Air Force Base. Sen. Rita Sanders, of Bellevue, said the state would sacrifice some potential tax revenue, but it would be worth it.

“While the 5% wage credit results in less income tax to Nebraska, the reality is, the qualified civilian employees associated with the wage credit are living in Nebraska with their families and delivering ample value to the state through sales tax and the overall economy through their disposable income,” she said.

Sanders also said it’s important to attract workers to support the missions at Offutt to prevent the base being targeted for realignment or closure.

The proposal would give companies who move to Nebraska and employ at least 10 people a 5% income tax credit for up to 10 years, with the total cost in tax credits capped at $40 million.

Supporters called that a way to create incentives to attract a workforce.

Sen. Megan Hunt said employees who work for companies that get the tax break would have to be making at least $90,000 a year.

“They don't need this type of corporate welfare, welfare for the wealthy. It's corporate favoritism,” she said.

The bill would not take effect until July 1 of 2027, putting any potential fiscal effects outside of the budget for the next two years senators will soon be considering. Senators voted 36-2 to give the proposal first-round approval.