We’re gathering a few folks to discuss the state of play for the Nebraska Legislature 2026 session. Planning to attend are Senator Ashlei Spivey-Arthur, Dan Hoffman, Kirk Zeller, Jona Van Deun, Scott Henderson, and more.

Now that we are near the halfway point of the short session, we have some insights on how Business Innovation Act related legislation is progressing. More importantly, we are getting a sense of what other issues and items are jockeying for attention.

Join us this Wednesday, February 18 from 11am-11:30am via Zoom! Hit reply to let me know if you want to be added to the calendar invite.

From Scott Henderson:
This past week at the Nebraska Legislature, the Banking, Commerce, and Insurance committee hearing featured two bills related to the Business Innovation Act: LB999 (create Business Innovation and Startup Commission) and LB1205 (ensure microloans get funded).

I was encouraged by how engaged and supportive committee members were for bolstering the Business Innovation Act programs. Senator Ashlei Spivey-Arthur gave a compelling opening and closing statement for LB999. One committee member expressed strong support for the BIA and others asked questions that indicated they did, too.

It was a long committee hearing with five other bills being discussed before the two I was interested in testifying for as a proponent. Thanks to blazing WiFi, I could take care of work tasks while I waited for my turn.

One thing I did ahead of time was type up my official remarks on the advice of Jona Van Deun. That way my written testimony will be in the record even if I didn't cover all the points in the three minutes. Taylor Korensky's advice to bring 15 copies helped, too.

Over the course of the afternoon, I noticed how the everyday people who brought their stories along with their stats really caught the attention of the state senators. As the 1:30pm committee hit the 5pm hour, you could tell they were getting restless.

My first testimony hit the three minute limit about 2/3 through my prepared remarks, but fortunately senators had questions for me so I could hit on examples and stories. My second testimony was more extemporaneous and featured a specific founder's story that underscored the importance of reliable funding of BIA programs.

In talking with the committee chair after the committee adjourned, he expressed belief the BIA bills in front of their committee would move to the floor for debate. That's when the amendments and bill packages start to happen.

Hat tip to Stephen Osberg, Michael Young, and Pierce Robinson for giving their testimonies, too.

Takeaway: You can do this, too!

Read this Silicon Prairie News guest editorial, which explains how bills become laws in Nebraska and how your voice shapes them.

LB100: Establish the Office of Entrepreneurship in the Department of Economic Development, encourage state agencies to contract with startups, and require the state pension fund to Invest in Nebraska startups.

LB999: Establish the Business Innovation and Startup Commission to help guide state government decisions.

LB1015: Create a Business Innovation Reserve Fund to provide long-term stable funding of the Business Innovation Act programs.

LB1044: Change provisions of the Business Innovation Act to create long-term stability of funding and establish a minimum amount awarded

LB1156: Adopt the Disinvested Community Development Incentive Tax Credit Act to help fund small business and startup support, accelerator programs, and workforce training in rural and urban communities.

LB1205: Require the Department of Economic Development to award microlending grants under the Business Innovation Act

Takeaway: Read each bill (if it’s amending a law, the proposed changes are underlined) so you can speak confidently about it.

Nebraska Startups Speak Up
Zoom Briefing
Wed, Feb 18 at 11am-11:30am

(hit reply to get added to the calendar invite)

You are one of 148 people (and counting) who have stepped forward to speak up for Nebraska startups. Thank you!

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Many thanks to everyone who shared their stories below. The chorus continues to grow!

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The grass is always greener where you water it. Helping Nebraska startups is a strategic investment that creates a more vibrant economy, more high paying jobs for Nebraska workers, and a greater diversity of future tax revenues.