This bill amends the Wage and Hour Act in Nebraska by updating the minimum wage and introducing a youth minimum wage. The minimum wage will increase incrementally, starting at $10.50 per hour in 2023 and reaching $15.00 per hour by 2026. After that, the minimum wage will be adjusted annually by one and three-quarters percent, rather than being tied to the cost of living as previously stated. Additionally, the bill establishes a youth minimum wage of $13.50 per hour for employees aged 14 to 15, which will also increase by one and one-half percent every five years starting in 2030.

The bill also modifies the training wage provisions for new employees aged 16 to 19, allowing employers to pay a training wage for up to 180 days. The training wage will be set at $13.50 per hour until the end of 2026, with annual increases of one and one-half percent thereafter. Furthermore, the bill prohibits employers from reducing the hours of existing employees or laying them off to replace them with new employees receiving the training wage. The original sections of the law being amended are repealed as part of this legislative update.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 48-1203, 48-1203.01
Final Reading: 48-1203, 48-1203.01