LINCOLN- On Tuesday, lawmakers advanced Sen. Steve Erdman's LB844, a bill to clarify that seed corn producers in Nebraska should hire local youths for detasseling before using temporary, nonimmigrant workers. More specifically, the bill requires that these producers solicit bids from contractors who seasonally employ largely young workers who are recruited locally before utilizing H-2A workers.

"This is an opportunity for us to protect the local workforce," said Erdman during debate over the proposal. Erdman said his bill was "very simple, straightforward," and argued that it would align Nebraska more adequately with federal law while also expanding workforce development.

Under the bill, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture would be required to post a director listing the information of detasseling and roguing contractors. A list of such contractors would also be distributed to seed corn producers each year, beginning in 2026. "I think it's an opportunity for the young people in Nebraska to understand that we've taken their concerns to heart and we'll make it available to them to work hard," said Sen. Steve Halloran of Erdman's proposal.

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