LINCOLN — After Nebraskans voted to require paid sick leave for eligible employees in November, two dozen state lawmakers are seeking to carve out exceptions, including for more of the state’s small businesses.

Legislative Bill 698, introduced by State Sen. Paul Strommen of Sidney and co-sponsored by 24 others, seeks to exempt seasonal agricultural workers and youths under 16 from the mandate and the smallest employers, those with 10 or fewer workers. During a public hearing Monday before the Legislature’s Business and Labor Committee, Strommen said his proposal should not be viewed as an effort to thwart the will of the people.

About 75% of Nebraska voters supported Initiative 436, which is to take effect in October and requires employers with fewer than 20 employees to provide up to five days of sick leave annually, and larger employers, with 20 or more workers to provide up to seven days. Strommen described the measure as an attempt to “clean up” initiative language and shield workers from “unintended consequences” that would result when small businesses that cannot absorb additional costs downsize or shutter.

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