LB380A is the appropriations bill tied to Legislative Bill 380 from the 109th Legislature, First Session. It provides funding to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to carry out the substantive provisions of LB380, using a combination of state cash funds and federal funds across the relevant fiscal years. The bill is a fiscal measure only; it does not create a new program on its own, but supplies the money needed to implement the underlying policy bill.
The bill also includes specific restrictions on how the appropriated money may be used. A portion of the appropriation is designated as state aid and may be used only for that purpose, and the bill limits spending on permanent and temporary salaries and per diems from the appropriated funds. In short, LB380A is a budget vehicle that authorizes and conditions funding for the Department of Health and Human Services to administer LB380.
Impact
LB380A amends state appropriations law by directing Health and Human Services cash funds and federal funds to a specific department program for implementation of LB380. Its practical effect is to make the underlying policy in LB380 operable by providing the necessary funding, while also imposing expenditure limits and earmarking some funds for state aid only. The bill affects the Department of Health and Human Services, state budget administration, and any entities or individuals who would receive services or aid under LB380.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It advanced unanimously on the first vote and then passed final reading with strong bipartisan support, 47-2. The absence of committee transcript material suggests there was little recorded debate or public controversy surrounding the appropriation itself.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available record. The only notable opposition is the two no votes on final reading, but no explanation is provided for their objections. Because LB380A is an appropriation bill, any disagreement would likely have centered on funding levels, source of funds, or the scope of the underlying LB380 program rather than the mechanics of the appropriation language itself.