LB258, Adjusting the State's Minimum Wage, Passes after Two Hour Debate

LB258, adjusting the state’s minimum wage law, survived a filibuster to gain final approval at the Nebraska Legislature. Senator Stan Clouse of Kearney was one who spoke in favor of passage. 

LB 258 would establish an annual fixed rate increase of 1.5% for the minimum wage beginning on January . Additionally, the bill would 1) establish a minimum wage of $13.50 per hour for youths aged 14 and 15, except emancipated minors, and 2) amend the 90-day training wage for new employees to apply to those who are at least sixteen years of age but younger than eighteen at a rate of $13.50 per hour through December 31, 2026, and a rate of 75% of the minimum wage on and after January 1, 2027. Read the latest here from the Unicameral Update. 

Response from Nebraska Appleseed
Nebraska Legislature advances harmful minimum wage bill, defying constituents

LINCOLN, NE – Today, 33 senators blatantly disregarded the will of Nebraskans by voting to pass LB258 on Final Reading.

LB258, introduced by Senator Jane Raybould in 2025 and prioritized by Senator Paul Strommen in 2026, creates a subminimum wage for workers under the age of 20 and adds restrictions on the cost of living increases that Nebraskans voted for via Initiative 433. 

Nebraska Appleseed’s Economic Justice Program Director, Ken Smith, issued the following statement:

“Nebraskans understand the value of paying workers a fair wage. That’s why nearly 60% of Nebraska voters supported Initiative 433 to gradually raise our state’s minimum wage and automatically adjust it for future cost of living increases.

Despite thousands of Nebraskans demanding that our Legislature honor the will of voters, 33 senators chose today to undermine our state’s voter-approved minimum wage law by passing LB258. Their decision means that Nebraska wages will once again fail to keep pace with the cost of living. These increases that we voted for are now capped at a meager 1.75%, giving hardworking Nebraskans a projected minimum wage raise of only 26 cents in 2027. It also means that thousands of young workers, who are already being paid Nebraska’s current minimum wage of $15/hour, will now see their pay decreased to $13.50/hour and will not see a raise in their minimum wage until 2030.

Every Nebraskan should receive fair pay, regardless of their age. LB258 directly undermines changes that were overwhelmingly approved by Nebraska voters, and it will prevent thousands of Nebraskans from being able to access the good life.”