Panel considers amendment to add $289,360 line-of-duty claim to LB1133

The Nebraska Legislature's Business and Labor Committee heard an amendment Tuesday to LB1133 that would add a line-of-duty claim totaling $289,360.48 for the family of Trooper Kyle McCasey.

Senator Kathleen Kauth, speaking for the committee, introduced AM2413 and said the amendment adds "one additional state claim" that would pay $289,360.48 to Kevin and Teresa McCasey from the general fund. She asked members to support adding the amendment to LB1133.

Phoebe Lures, an assistant attorney general and legal advisor to the State Claims Board, testified as a proponent. "The total amount of this claim is $289,360.48," Lures said, and described the claim as 2026-01453, filed by Kevin and Teresa McCasey following the death of their son, Trooper Kyle McCasey, while serving as a state patrol trooper. Lures said the State Claims Board approved the claim at a hearing held after the LB1133 hearing and recommended the Legislature appropriate sufficient funds to pay this and the other claims included in LB1133 and AM2008.

When asked by a committee member whether an additional miscellaneous claim for $51,791.88 remained on the bill, Kauth clarified that the $51,791.88 claim had already been included and handled in prior committee action.

The committee called for opponents and neutral testifiers; none came forward. Senator Kauth waived closing remarks, and the chair concluded the hearing on AM2413 to LB1133.

Next steps were not recorded in the transcript provided: the hearing record shows the amendment was presented and proponent testimony was heard, but the transcript does not include a formal roll-call vote or a recorded tally on AM2413.