The Manufacturing Modernization and Workforce Development Pilot Investment Act aims to enhance productivity in Nebraska's manufacturing sector by providing one-time grants for capital investments in smart technologies. Eligible manufacturing operations must meet specific criteria, including securing private matching financial support. The Department of Labor will oversee the grant program, which will accept applications from October 1, 2025, to November 1, 2026, with a maximum grant amount of fifty thousand dollars. The bill also amends various sections of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, including changes to the unemployment insurance tax rate and the Workforce Development Program Cash Fund, while eliminating the Nebraska Worker Training Board and certain fund transfers.

Additionally, the bill establishes a timeline for the termination of the State Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and the Nebraska Training and Support Cash Fund by July 1, 2025, with remaining funds redirected to the Workforce Development Program Cash Fund. It modifies the collection and allocation of unemployment insurance taxes, ensuring these funds are directed to the new cash fund instead of the trust fund. The bill also introduces new definitions regarding wages, outlines conditions for unemployment benefits, and mandates reporting requirements for employers. Significant changes include the establishment of a subaccount within the Job Training Cash Fund for training grants aimed at small businesses and rural areas, as well as new transfer requirements from the Cash Reserve Fund to the General Fund and other designated funds. The act is set to become operative on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 48-602, 48-622.01, 48-622.02, 48-648, 48-649.01, 48-649.03, 48-657, 48-3405, 81-407, 81-1201.21
Final Reading: 48-602, 48-622.01, 48-622.02, 48-626, 48-648, 48-649.01, 48-649.03, 48-657, 48-3405, 81-407, 81-1201.21, 84-612
Slip Law: 48-602, 48-622.01, 48-622.02, 48-626, 48-648, 48-649.01, 48-649.03, 48-657, 48-3405, 81-407, 81-1201.21, 84-612