New Year, New Laws

When the clock struck midnight on New Year's Day, several new laws, as well as ballot initiative proclamations signed by Governor Jim Pillen, went into effective.

The one exception: the paid sick leave initiative. It will go into effect Oct. 1.

Minimum wage increases to $13.50 per hour. The increase was part of the scheduled increases outlined in the Nebraska Minimum Wage Statute Initiative, passed by voters in 2022.

The first increase bumped the state's minimum wage from $9 per hour to $10.50 per hour on Jan. 1, 2023.

In 2024, the second increase adjusted to $12 per hour. The final step will take place on Jan. 1, 2026, setting the wage at $15 per hour.

The second notable law change provide consumer protection when it comes to privacy data.

LB1074, signed into effect by Pillen in April, gives the state's attorney general exclusive enforcement authority.

Under the Nebraska Data Privacy Act, consumers will now have the right to access, correct or delete information and opt out form personal information being sold online.

The onus for action falls on consumers, as they must contact businesses to ask for corrections or deletion of data.

One of the easiest ways to opt out is to utilize an universal opt-out mechanism, or tools available on computers and mobile devices, allowing consumers to pre-select a preference to opt out of online data processing. The UOOM integrates with browser settings and works by informing website operators of a user's preference regarding data collection using cookies or other tracking technologies when a user accesses a website.

Verbiage in the Nebraska Data Privacy Act makes it illegal for companies to ignore the opt-out request.